Open Up: Mental health media’s anti-discrimination toolkit

OPEN UP: MENTAL HEALTH MEDIA’S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
TOOLKIT

Open Up, £174.95, available from
www.mhmedia.com

Star Rating: 4/5

At last, a comprehensive training resource to tackle
discrimination that is aimed directly at people with experience of
mental distress, writes Kay Sheldon.

The pack has been developed with and mostly by mental health
service users and survivors, which is evident throughout.

The approach is upbeat, positive and focuses on taking control
and personal development.

The bulk of the pack consists of a training course Challenging
Discrimination in Everyday Life intended to be taught to groups of
mental health service users by an appropriately experienced
trainer.

The format is practical, accessible and can be supplied in a
ring binder or as a CD-Rom with a supporting video or DVD. The
course is both thorough and flexible, allowing it to be
adapted.

You are guided carefully, at times painstakingly, through the
programme which includes comprehensive resource sections for both
trainers and participants. The style is interactive and focuses on
gaining the confidence and skills needed to overcome
discrimination.

Who knows whether such a resource will have an impact on
combating the discrimination faced by mental health service users
but such a powerful effort is welcome.

Kay Sheldon is a mental health service
user.