Karen Machin's blog

Is there stigma in mental health services?

Well I’m glad that ten years is over. For me it was ten years with some very varying experiences of health services. When I look back now, I wonder why on earth I didn’t complain at the time about some of the incidents.

CPS - good news!

Just heard about this review which makes for some reassuring news: Reported in various places including here

Crown prosecution service consultation

Just to let you know that there's a current consultation (ending March 1st 2009) on the Crown Prosecution Service's website, that wants your views. Its about their Policy on prosecuting criminal cases involving people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities as victims and witnesses

Sigma project - February 09

I've met with Jim and his colleagues again for another interesting chat about how to take things forward. He gave me some information about lay visitors and I wonder if this is something more of us should get involved in? They're independent members of the local community who visit police stations unannounced to check on the welfare of people who are in police custody.

Updateon the Sigma project

Apologies for not updating the blog for a while. December's never a good month for me. Anyway New Year New Start. So hopefully we'll get back on track.

Sigma against stigma

At the recent Social Inclusion Network meeting, Constable Jim Scotson, the Hate Crime Officer for Merseyside Police based St. Helens, described the work of the Hate Crimes Unit, which is locally known as the ‘Sigma’ unit.