Dr Jen Daffin
@jendaffin.bsky.social
400 followers 260 following 160 posts
Community Clinical Psychologist | Director of Relational Practice (Clinical Lead), Policy and Campaigns @platfform.org | Chair Psychologists for Social Change Cymru | @urbancircle #clinpsych #psychtraining #psychology #mentalhealth #socialjustice
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jendaffin.bsky.social
Interesting! I am curious to hear more 😊
jendaffin.bsky.social
This 👇
mikechitty.bsky.social
Very much this! Our mental and physical dis-eases are largely the inevitable consequences of our cultural values, beliefs and desires.
While our economy depends so heavily on our sickness our systems will remain overwhelmed…
jendaffin.bsky.social
Community is a mental health intervention.

Which is why we’re exploring trauma informed community development work here at @platfform.org

The solutions to our mental health crisis are not within the NHS mental health systems gift to resolve. 💙
jendaffin.bsky.social
Community is a mental health intervention.

Which is why we’re exploring trauma informed community development work here at @platfform.org

The solutions to our mental health crisis are not within the NHS mental health systems gift to resolve. 💙
jendaffin.bsky.social
It's great to see this getting more attention! I'd love to see an Adult MH model that supports creating the conditions in the system for compassion. PBS has its limitations but has been successful in forensic settings. We need something like this but trauma informed and relational. 👏
jendaffin.bsky.social
If we are going to reduce rates of mental ill health across our society we must take the billions back that's been handed over to the wealthy.

Everything else is a sticking plaster. 🩹
jendaffin.bsky.social
Looking forward to being part of this @edpsy.bsky.social conference later this year. 👏
edpsy.bsky.social
💥Have you seen this line up....!?

Programme and tickets here: festival.edpsy.org.uk

#epfest2025 #edpsychs
jendaffin.bsky.social
Please consider signing and sharing this open letter with over 600 signatures calling on the BPS and ACP to speak up about Palestine.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu

www.psychchange.org/palestine1.htm
jendaffin.bsky.social
We know the original austerity cuts cost people their lives. We know it led to overwhelm and then suicide.

We need to learn from that.

A robust social safety net is a mental health intervention.
jendaffin.bsky.social
Addiction is a response to feeling overwhelmed, without agency and disconnected from self and others.

It is NOT a disease or failure in self discipline or character.

It is most often better thought of as a trauma response.
jendaffin.bsky.social
Depression is a natural human emotion.

Emotions are reactions to the events in our lives.
jendaffin.bsky.social
For a good summary and the references too get Searching for Normal by Dr Sami Timimi.
jendaffin.bsky.social
We know now that stimulant medication used for the diagnosis of
ADHD has more negative effects than positive including worsening behaviour and stunting children's growth.

We need clinicians to understand this and change treatment trends.
jendaffin.bsky.social
We know the original austerity cuts cost people their lives. We know it lead to overwhelm and then suicide.

We need to learn from that. A robust safety net is a mental health intervention.
jendaffin.bsky.social
As I understand it the mental health bill will not do enough to end the torture and harm many experience whilst in inpatient services. Our treatment approach needs an urgent review too.

We need an Act that puts human rights and dignity front and center. Nothing less.
jendaffin.bsky.social
Great to hear Sir James Mackey, CEO NHS England talking about sharing power and unlocking decision making!

Alongside Lord Victor Adebowale CBE saying Austerity is an expensive way to run services.

👏👏👏
jendaffin.bsky.social
With notable harmful side effects too.

In some parts of the world it already is. The UK can and should do better! I’m with you in that hope. 💙
jendaffin.bsky.social
The evidence base is clear that depression is largely caused by our circumstances.

Not chemical imbalances or genetics.

It's our body in overwhelm, looking for safety, rest and a way out.
jendaffin.bsky.social
School violence is up - why?

Anger is a threat reaponse. It comes from not feeling safe. What we’re witnessing is the result of the disruptions to our sense of safety from austerity, COVID and wealth inequality.

It will only get worse unless we put the safety net back and address loneliness.
jendaffin.bsky.social
Health diagnosis is a clinical art based on observation and the patient's story as much as tests.

Mental health diagnosis is like a Picasso. 🖼️ 🎨
jendaffin.bsky.social
Poverty is as much a cause as a consequence of mental ill health.

It has been linked to experiences of what gets called psychosis too.
jendaffin.bsky.social
There is no evidence to support mental health first aid as an effective or useful training.

When MHFA training was compared with no intervention, it may have little to no effect on improvements to mental health.

#mentalhealthfirstaid #MHFA

www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
Mental Health First Aid as a tool for improving mental health and well‐being - Richardson, R - 2023 | Cochrane Library
Select your preferred language for Cochrane reviews and other content. Sections without translation will be in English.
www.cochranelibrary.com
jendaffin.bsky.social
Or any other UK gov? We must demand the change needed? Demand a tax on wealth?
jendaffin.bsky.social
We know poverty and mental ill heath are a vicious cycle - an increase in child poverty also leads to an increase in demand for NHS services.

It makes no sense not to act preventatively.

It’s a waste of opportunity for a good life and a waste of tax payers money.

www.itv.com/news/2025-05...
www.itv.com
jendaffin.bsky.social
Don’t go to therapy to resolve workplace stress from low pay and poor working conditions.

Go to a union! 👏