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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.