iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

LGBT Foundation @lgbtfdn.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

We're sending love and solidarity to all affected by the attack on Berlin Pride. LGBTQ+ people deserve safety, particularly at the very Pride events where we unite together to protest, party and refuse to be invisible.

Message from the LGBT Foundation expressing love and solidarity to Berlin on a light purple background with bold black text: Sending Love and Solidarity to Berlin

United we will never be defeated. Our hearts are heavy as we think of all who are impacted by the recent attack on Berlin Pride.

LGBTQ+ people deserve safety, particularly at the very Pride events where we unite together to protest, party and refuse to be invisible.

News like this can weigh heavy, but our community pulls together, and supports one another. Please check in on your loved ones, and reach out if you need support.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Marking #LGBTHistoryMonth, @davidwoodhead.bsky.social explores how #LGBTQ+ history helps us see how the past sits in the present. Read his latest blog 👇https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/lgbtq-history-month-and-mental-health-how-the-past-shapes-the-present/

centreformentalhealth.org.uk

LGBTQ+ History Month and mental health: How the past shapes the present - Centre for Mental Health

David explores how LGBTQ+ history speaks to the present, and acts as a guide to the future.

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

"Carrying more than we should: The human story in the latest LGB+ statistics." @davidwoodhead.bsky.social reflects on new figures released by the ONS revealing stark inequalities and how we can prevent this. Read the blog here: bit.ly/3YOuwRt Content warning: This post discusses suicidal feelings

centreformentalhealth.org.uk

Carrying more than we should: The human story in the latest LGB+ statistics - Centre for Mental Health

David looks behind the figures at new data that reveals stark inequalities in causes of death by sexual orientation

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

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/

Text: The mental health legacy of AIDS is complex. It encompasses deep psychological wounds and catastrophic re-enactments (the unconscious repetition of post-traumatic events). We know, for example, that suicide rates among gay men are disproportionately high, and many report depression and anxiety. David Woodhead. World Aids Day.

Text: Yet it also conveys a kind of empowerment. We want to be visible and acknowledged. We have a deep pride in who we are in all our diversity and difference. And we display profound resilience in the face of our ongoing, and sometimes growing, marginalisation as members of an international LGBTQIA+ community. David Woodhead. World Aids Day.

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

“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/

thepolyphony.org

Am I queer enough? When theory and lived experience collide

David Woodhead reflects on being gay and getting older.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Angela Woods @literarti.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

"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...

thepolyphony.org

Am I queer enough? When theory and lived experience collide

David Woodhead reflects on being gay and getting older.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Paul Eric @pauleric70.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

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

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

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

tinyurl.com

The mental health impacts of catastrophic events: policy considerations - A Bell, D Woodhead, 2025

In this article, authors Bell and Woodhead look at the terminology surrounding and impact of catastrophic events on mental health on a global basis. They outlin...

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Angela Woods @literarti.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

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...

thepolyphony.org

Looking Again: The Quilt, the Gaze, and Queer Remembering

David Woodhead reflects on the memories, legacies, and queer histories provoked by viewing- gazing upon- the AIDS memorial quilt in 1994 and in June this year.

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

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...

thepolyphony.org

Looking Again: The Quilt, the Gaze, and Queer Remembering

David Woodhead reflects on the memories, legacies, and queer histories provoked by viewing- gazing upon- the AIDS memorial quilt in 1994 and in June this year.

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

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

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

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

Image of a young person with short red hair draped in a LGBTQ+ Pride flag in the crowd at a Pride march. Quote from David Woodhead: "Every beat, every shout, every flash of colour was a declaration of identity – a promise that our existence, in all its boldness, would not be silenced."

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

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...

tinyurl.com

Waterloo sunrise: A ten-year journey from shadows to light - Centre for Mental Health

David marks a decade of sobriety with reflections on how substance use impacted his life and the support that enabled his recovery.

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Durham Institute for Medical Humanities @durhamimh.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

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

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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

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Andy Bell @andybell-centremh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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.

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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...

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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.

Two quotes from participants: “We might have a ‘no wrong door’ approach, but people may not even get to the door.”
“There needs to be greater acceptance of the strength that it takes someone to disclose that they want support for a drug or alcohol problem, as people have told us this is not always taken seriously and often the issue is dismissed as not being a major problem.”

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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.

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

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

Rainbows in the storm: Navigating hostility and hope in LGBTQ+ lives

David Woodhead

Quote: “What are the long-term impacts of enduring hate, not just on us as individuals but on the many LGBTQ+ communities we belong to?” “And perhaps more fundamentally, how do we survive, let alone thrive, in a world that questions our existence?”

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

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

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Katie Munday @kmunday.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Here's Autism! #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance

My giant head smashed through the door in the Shinning. My eyes are wide and wild. "Here's autism!"

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

⚠️ 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 👀

Infographic: 1 in 5 children and young people in England has a mental health problem. Only a third were able to access treatment in 2023. (Children’s Commissioner for England, 2024)

Infographic: 75% of young people experiencing a mental health problem wait so long that their condition gets worse, or they are unable to access any treatment at all. (Local Government Association, 2023)

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mhscincubator.bsky.social @mhscincubator.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

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...

sites.manchester.ac.uk

Upcoming Webinar: 1st May 2025

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Angela Woods @literarti.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

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

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

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.

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Durham Institute for Medical Humanities @durhamimh.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

👏👏👏 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!

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Katie Munday @kmunday.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

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. 🌈🎓

Two colourful one-use coffee cups. Empty of white coffee :(

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

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...

Text: A mentally healthier future is possible if we fight for it now.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

📢 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...

Three women standing at bus stop, having a light-hearted conversation. Text: A fundamental right: Barriers and facilitators to voting and registration for people with mental health difficulties

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Careif @careif.org · 12/03/2025

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.

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

🗳️ 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

What prevents people with mental health difficulties from voting? Four people icons with speech bubbles share the reasons for not voting and what percentage of research participants agreed with them: 'Politicians do not care about my mental health' (81% research participants); 'I can’t get to the polling station' (43%); 'I do not trust postal voting' (43%); 'I don’t know how to check if I am already registered' (57%)

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

💡 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...

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

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

Infographic: Your voting rights at elections. 1. Having a mental illness does not mean you lose the right to vote. 2. You can vote even if you're in a mental health hospital at the time of an election (except when detained for a criminal offence). 3. Everyone now needs to bring photo ID with them to vote at a polling station. 4. You have the option of a postal vote or a proxy vote, if you can’t or don’t want to vote in person. If you work with people with mental health difficulties, you can help them exercise their voting rights by: Supporting people to register and get voter ID; Sharing information about postal or proxy voting options; Finding practical ways to ease anxieties and overcome other barriers to voting. Find more information on exercising your voting rights:
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/your-voting-rights/

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Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

🧵 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

centreformentalhealth.org.uk

A fundamental right - Centre for Mental Health

Barriers and facilitators to voting and registration for people with mental health difficulties

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

🗳️ 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...

Barriers to voting: Not trusting politicians, or believing that they don’t care about mental health; Confusion around registering and voter ID; Lack of transport or support to vote; Lack of information about the voting process; Anxiety about postal or proxy voting options; Negative past experiences where they had not felt understood or supported by staff at polling stations. Graphic icons show an envelope and a photo ID.

Solutions: Developing the skills and confidence of staff in health and social services to encourage service users to register to vote; More information – including about postal voting and how to register; Training for polling station staff in understanding the needs of people with mental health difficulties; Practical support to get to the polling station, including clear signage to direct people to support; Developing options for online voting. Graphic icons show two people talking and a sign.

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Orange Dick Tater Hater @realbiscuitspaw.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Stay focused

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

📣 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

Image: two mothers sitting in a relaxed space on a sofa holding their babies. Text: ‘Here for as long as you need us’ - An evaluation of the Healthy Little Minds parent and infant programme

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Reposted by David Woodhead PhD (he/him)

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

"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...

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Liette Gidlow @profgidlow.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

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

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David Woodhead PhD (he/him) @davidwoodhead.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

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Pete Buttigieg @petebuttigieg.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Hi Bluesky! Glad to be here.

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