On #WorldAIDSDay, @davidwoodhead.bsky.social reflects on the collective memory and mental health legacy of the AIDs crisis of the 1980s and 90s. Read David's blog 👇https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/echoes-of-survival-queer-reflections-on-getting-older-mental-health-and-world-aids-day/

“Am I Queer Enough?” @davidwoodhead.bsky.social reflects on visibility, ethics, and contradictions as a a middle-aged gay man in recovery and a mental health researcher. Read more in the journal from @durhamimh.bsky.social 👇 thepolyphony.org/2025/11/24/am-i-queer-enough/

"The point is how do we navigate the gap between how we live and how we theorise, how we enact our identities and the sensibilities we bring to research?" Brilliant post by @davidwoodhead.bsky.social on lived experience, queer experience and theory thepolyphony.org/2025/11/24/a...

Steve Martin & Martin Short singing the way you look tonight to the beautiful DianeKeaton 🥺💔

How do global catastrophic events – like climate change, war and pandemics – affect mental health? And how can governments support those most at risk? @davidwoodhead.bsky.social & @andybell-centremh.bsky.social explore in this special edition of @rsph.bsky.social's journal 👇 tinyurl.com/y5x88td3

For reasons I don’t fully understand the UK #AIDS quilt was displayed recently at @tatemodern.bsky.social for only three days. My friend and colleague @davidwoodhead.bsky.social writes in this incredible piece about his encounter there w materiality and/as memory thepolyphony.org/2025/07/02/q...

@centreformh.bsky.social @aldersonday.bsky.social @durhamimh.bsky.social @literarti.bsky.social @andybell-centremh.bsky.social

Stood before the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tate Modern and felt fury and sorrow coil together. Grief for those lost. Rage at the silence that let it happen My blog on remembering—not passively, but defiantly. Grieving loudly. Loving fiercely. Refusing erasure. thepolyphony.org/2025/07/02/q...

The fight for LGBTQ+ rights can take its toll, yet solidarity strengthens us. We build resilience together, honouring the past while forging a future of compassion and justice. In our communities, we find healing, courage, and the power to keep going. @centreformh.bsky.social @durhamimh.bsky.social

Marching through time: Intersections of queer activism and mental wellbeing  To kick off #Pride month, @davidwoodhead.bsky.social thinks back to his first Pride march, and considers the importance of caring communities in confronting mental health injustice 👇 tinyurl.com/4vx5bx56 #Pride2025

As @davidwoodhead.bsky.social marks a decade of sobriety, he reflects on the support that enabled his recovery from #SubstanceUse - including family and friends, therapy, writing, physical health services & support like @londonfriend.bsky.social 👇 www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/waterloo-sun...

An incredibly powerful post by our fabulous colleague @davidwoodhead.bsky.social

Writing about addiction invites judgement and stigma. Yet I hope my blog reminds us that even in the darkest days, there is always hope #LGBTQ+ #mentalhealthequity #recovery @centreformh.bsky.social @durhamimh.bsky.social @andybell-centremh.bsky.social @aldersonday.bsky.social @literarti.bsky.social

We also need to see: 🎯 ICBs developing a plan that addresses the care pathways between both services 🎯 ICBs funding voluntary orgs that meet the needs of marginalised communities 🎯 Strengthening & training of the workforce 🎯 Investment in testing innovative approaches to meeting co-occurring needs

Today at @centreformh.bsky.social we’re sharing our new briefing on the urgent need to improve support for people with both mental health and substance use difficulties. For too long, doors have been closed and people have been let down. It’s time to plan services with people’s real needs in mind.

Writing about addiction invites judgement and stigma. Yet I hope my blog reminds us that even in the darkest days, there is always hope #LGBTQ+ #mentalhealthequity #recovery @centreformh.bsky.social @durhamimh.bsky.social @andybell-centremh.bsky.social @aldersonday.bsky.social @literarti.bsky.social

Integrate drug and mental health services. Prioritise compassion over criminalisation, acceptance over stigma. A system rooted in care recognises that addiction is a health issue, not a crime—ensuring people receive support, not punishment. Change begins with humanity. @centreformh.bsky.social

Having both mental health and substance use difficulties shouldn’t stop you from accessing care. But this is too many people’s reality. We’re calling for more integrated, compassionate care so that everyone can get the support they need. www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications...

This gap in provision has been recognised, but not effectively closed, for decades. Now we need action. 📢 We're calling for investment in both substance use & mental health services - and more integration between the two - as part of the upcoming ten-year health plan.

The pervasive stigma around both substance use and mental ill health acts as a significant barrier to getting help. And the lack of culturally competent, faith-sensitive, gender-informed can compound the barriers for people from racialised and LGBTQ+ communities.

A key barrier to support is the lack of integration between mental health and substance use services. Despite the complex links between the two problems, people are routinely refused mental health support until they stop using substances.

We hosted a roundtable with Professor Dame Carol Black and participants from charities, service providers, grassroots organisations, and professional bodies, to explore how we can move from fragmentation to more integrated, effective services.

Hate and its impacts on LGBTQ+ mental health. 🌈 How to combat the negativity and foster wellbeing. My latest blog post #LGBTQ #MentalHealth #Wellbeing @centreformh.bsky.social @literarti.bsky.social @durhamimh.bsky.social @andybell-centremh.bsky.social @aldersonday.bsky.social

Rainbows in the storm: Navigating hostility and hope in LGBTQ+ lives Following last week's Supreme Court ruling & new data on suicide deaths, @davidwoodhead.bsky.social explores how mental health inequalities are impacting LGBTQ+ people, and how we can tackle these injustices👇 tinyurl.com/mpu2a7px

Facing up to the reality of being HIV positive is, without doubt, a challenge. But in the midst of the fear, uncertainty, and stigma, I found hope and friendship. And purpose. @centreformh.bsky.social #UequalsU #HIV #Hope #Stigma #HIVTestingWeek #LGBTQIA @durhamimh.bsky.social

Here's Autism! #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance

⚠️ Rates of mental health problems among children have risen significantly in recent years, and now cost the UK £1 trillion in lost lifetime earnings. How do we reverse the rise and reduce the risks? Keep a look out for our new report tomorrow, where we'll be exploring this in more detail 👀

Join us for our next webinar on 1st May, 10 - 11 a.m Presenters Jess Carlisle from LSE and Tamsin Fisher from Keele University More details can be found sites.manchester.ac.uk/mhsci/2025/0... To register: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

We are so thrilled! A marvellous new chapter and so much to explore 🤩

Thrilled and excited to be given this opportunity to build our partnership - @centreformh.bsky.social and @durhamimh.bsky.social - as well as explore important research questions. Thanks to @literarti.bsky.social and @andybell-centremh.bsky.social for helping make this happen. Dreams can come true.

👏👏👏 Huge thanks to the PhD students, our guest tutors @noisybits.bsky.social, Edyta Just, @sagebrice.bsky.social, @npapadogian.bsky.social, Carla Tsampiras, Landa Mabenge, @benbgdalton.bsky.social and Chase Ledin, as well as our facilitators @drfijohnstone.bsky.social & @davidwoodhead.bsky.social!

Only bumped into the facilitator of @durhamimh.bsky.social Queer Methodologies in Medical Humanities @davidwoodhead.bsky.social in Worthing! 8 trains later, and we are nearly at Durham. Lots of coffee and good conversation already. 🌈🎓

A mentally healthier future if possible - if we fight for it now. For 40 years we’ve been working to end mental health injustice. Could you donate to get us closer to that reality? 👉 www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/support-us/d...

📢 New report 📢 Living with a mental health difficulty can make it harder to exercise our voting rights. We heard from people with mental health problems about the barriers they face to voting – and how these can be overcome: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications...

We know that people with #MentalHealth conditions are often excluded from civic participation.This report highlights the barriers the barriers that they face when it comes to exercising their voting rights. Clinicians and mental health services have an important role to play in this process.

🗳️ Commissioned by @electoralcommission.org.uk, we heard from 160 people living with a mental health difficulty about the barriers they face to voting and voter registration. Here's what they told us 👉 tinyurl.com/2r4yxnjt

💡 Our new research shows that overcoming the barriers requires relatively simple steps – but they can ensure that no one is excluded from the fundamental right of taking part in our democracy. Download the report: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications...

Clinicians & service providers also have a clear role to play in encouraging people to exercise their voting rights – simple adjustments, a conversation about the voting process, and some reassurance & support can help to break down the barriers to voting. Learn more: tinyurl.com/4urtujr3

🧵 Voting is a fundamental right for citizens in a democracy. But many people with mental health difficulties face a range of barriers to exercising this right. Commissioned by @electoralcommission.org.uk, we've explored how these challenges can be overcome 👇 tinyurl.com/2r4yxnjt

🗳️ A lack of support, lack of information, and lack of trust in politicians all make it harder for people with mental health difficulties to vote. Commissioned by @electoralcommission.org.uk, we've been exploring how to overcome the barriers: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications...

Stay focused

📣 New report: Perinatal mental health problems can have a devastating impact on women and their families - and the risks are higher for those living in poverty. Targeted parenting support can boost parents' mental health, reduce safeguarding risks and deliver economic benefits: tinyurl.com/5b4bsa3y

"There is something about that tethering for me and my mental health of knowing who I am" David Woodhead, our Associate Director of Research, sharing what #LGBTplusHM means to him on our podcast last year. Listen to the full episode: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/podcast-davi...

#TheResistance #StrongerTogether #FightFacism #Antifa #DoNotObeyInAdvance @davidwoodhead.bsky.social @personofinterest07.bsky.social @kayfultz.bsky.social @garci32.bsky.social @thomashsears.bsky.social @toddmhale1969.bsky.social @beowolf5548.bsky.social @tedebear55.bsky.social

Stonewall memorial without reference to Q/T people, smhistorian's head 🗃️

Facing up to the reality of being HIV positive is, without doubt, a challenge. But in the midst of the fear, uncertainty, and stigma, I found hope and friendship. And purpose. @centreformh.bsky.social #UequalsU #HIV #Hope #Stigma #HIVTestingWeek #LGBTQIA @durhamimh.bsky.social

Hi Bluesky! Glad to be here.

#FBaRMY @alisarm.bsky.social @pittsburghlady.bsky.social @smileonadog.bsky.social @qm-b.bsky.social @tamarainlincoln.bsky.social @fireeyebooks.bsky.social @blueresister.bsky.social @lhurtado.bsky.social @titanjake.bsky.social @dawn-a-musing.bsky.social @sassysister27.bsky.social

LGBT+ History Month starts tomorrow! 🏳️‍🌈👇