20th November 2002

Sexual abuse, self harm, motherhood and experiences on mixed sex wards are some of the issues discussed by women who have used mental health services in What Women Want, Mental Health Media's latest video.

What Women Want gives those working in the medical, health and social care and policy fields an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from women about the issues that matter to them and how mental health services can best meet their needs.

The video features the real-life experiences of women affected by the Government's recently announced strategy for women's mental health, and highlights the importance for mental health services and organisations to listen to women whose direct experience of mental health services can both inform and educate future service practices.

"I have been both an inpatient and a professional, and I am responsible for provision of mental health services... I am only too well aware of just how far we have to go... there is far too little training around the problems women are likely to experience... we need a set of core skills that are addressed as part of core training, not just as an add-on, as part of continuing professional development" - Rachel Perkins, Clinical Director of Adult Mental Health Services, South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust

What Women Want also features examples of best practice in mental health services and the outstanding results that can be achieved when women are able to lend the value of their experiences to the creation of a service that both listens and responds to their needs.

"I think that women's involvement in the services they need is vital to planning ahead and to find out what women want." - Linda Lever, Bradford Home Treatment Service

The video is accompanied by a training pack and will enable those working with people who are experiencing distress to help mental health professionals to respond and truly reflect women's needs in their service provision.


Notes to editors:

1) For further information and review copies of What Women Want, please contact Katie Brudenell or Kate Summerside on 020 7700 8171.

2) What Women Want is a 30 minute video with a training workbook. It is available now and can be ordered from Mental Health Media:

Mental Health Media
356 Holloway Road
London N7 6PA

Phone: 020 7700 8171
Fax: 020 7686 0959

It costs £74.95 including vat, postage and packing for large organisations and £44.95 including vat, postage and packing for organisations with fewer than 10 full time employees.

3) Funding for What Women Want was provided by the Department of Health Section 64 Grant Scheme.

4) Mental Health Media is a unique communications organisation which challenges discrimination around mental health by promoting the voice of mental health service users in all media.

5) Mental Health Media offers a range of video and new media training materials, provides media skills training courses, runs the annual Mental Health Media Awards and works with journalists and broadcasters to inform their coverage of mental health issues.

6) Mental Health Media can be contacted on 0207 700 8171.