Our Philosophy….
We understand that the vast majority of individuals suffering from mental illness in the UK are unable to, or do not choose to, access statutory services for support*
We also understand that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation, placing an even greater demand on limited state service availability**.
We recognise that the role of peer-support in the field of mental illness – and more specifically in the realm of complex (developmental) trauma, has, in recent years, become prominent, both in the UK and internationally***
We also recognise that stand-alone peer-led support has often been proven to be just as effective, and in some cases, even more effective, than statutory services alone^.
For these reasons Reset-21 has been established, as a non-hierarchical organisation, to support, empower and better enable both trained practitioners and also the existing ‘grass-roots’ workforce of individuals who have learnt from their own adverse early-life experiences, and resolved to support others who may have suffered similar challenging life experiences.
*(Department of Health. (2014). Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2013, Public Mental Health Priorities: Investing in the Evidence. Retrieved from gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officer-cmoannual-report-public-mental-health [Accessed 05/08/16).
**(https://www.bma.org.uk/media/2750/bma-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-mental-health-in-england.pdf)
***(Using Peer Support to Strengthen Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review, Rahul Suresh, Armaghan Alam, Zoe Karkossa)
^(Karen Yearwood, Nicole Vliegen, Cecilia Chau, Jozef Corveleyn, Patrick Luyten,When do peers matter? The moderating role of peer support in the relationship between environmental adversity, complex trauma, and adolescent psychopathology in socially disadvantaged adolescents,Journal of Adolescence,Volume 72,2019,Pages 14-22, ISSN 0140-1971,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.02.001).
^(Gillard, S.G., Edwards, C., Gibson, S.L. et al. Introducing peer worker roles into UK mental health service teams: a qualitative analysis of the organisational benefits and challenges. BMC Health Serv Res 13, 188 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-13-188)
^( A peer-support, group intervention to reduce substance use and criminality among persons with severe mental illness. Rowe M1, Bellamy C, Baranoski M, Wieland M, O'Connell MJ, Benedict P, Davidson L, Buchanan J, Sells D Author information Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 01 Jul 2007, 58(7):955-961 DOI: 10.1176/ps.2007.58.7.955 PMID: 17602012
At Reset-21 we are passionate about personal empowerment from the debilitating effects of early life adversity and trauma.
Our philosophy is that everyone who has been negatively affected by early life adversity; trauma or chronic stress should be supported and equipped to understand these states, and given the tools and ongoing care to promote their healing and recovery, so that they can achieve and sustain a greater quality of life.
We are committed to equipping practitioners; organisations; peer-support workers, and volunteers alike with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand the complexities of trauma, and embed trauma informed care into their systems, philosophy, and day-to-day working practices, enabling them to effectively support those negatively impacted by early life adversity.
Our commitment to this ethos is central to all we do.
Tracy Bennett, Director
Brian Ward, Director