It is a real delight to discover that our College has a soul, and that it wants our help putting it on show.

There were about 20 people representing various divisions, faculties and special interest groups (SIGs) at the 90 minute briefing, which was enthusiastically introduced by the President, John Cox. 2001: A Mind Odyssey is a celebration of the arts, psychiatry and the mind, which aims to inspire those involved in mental health services — both professionals and service users — to explore creativity and the emotionally healthy aspects of people's lives, and thereby to facilitate people in expressing themselves. The idea is to help raise awareness of the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression.

2001: A Mind Odyssey will be launched at the Annual Meeting in London, 9-13 July 2001 and will finish at the Annual Meeting in Cardiff, 24-28 June 2002.

At the briefing Deborah Hart (Head of External Relations, tel: 020 7235 2351, ext. 127; e-mail: [email protected] ) spoke briefly on ‘where we are now’, outlining a dozen events already planned for next year's Annual Meeting: art therapy workshops; film study sessions; a reception at the National Portrait Gallery; an Indian dance troupe; a children's art exhibition; classical music concert; and theatrical events among them. Other exciting events are also planned throughout the year and for the sign-off in Cardiff in 2002.

Next, Alexi Wedderburn (Events Organiser, tel: 020 7235 2351 ext. 149; e-mail: [email protected] ), newly employed part-time by the College, told us ‘what you can do’, encouraging individual College members as well as SIGs, faculties, etc. to organise events in our localities, with or by amateur and professional groups, taking advantage of our Regional Arts Boards/Councils and local resources such as art galleries, art centres, libraries and our own trusts and hospitals. There were plenty of suggestions and further advice from her, and then about fund-raising from the next speaker, Chris Beynon (Fundraiser, tel: 020 7235 2351, ext. 149), all of which was repeated in the text of an extensive and helpful ‘briefing pack’ handed out — extra copies available from Deborah or Alexi.

David Hart, currently poet in residence at South Birmingham Mental Health Care Trust, gave a presentation on his work in the ‘older adults’ department. Dr Akmal Makhdum from the College's Eastern Division and the psycho-pharmacology SIG then spoke about enterprising local, divisional and national initiatives, mainly coupled also with the College's ‘Changing Minds’ campaign against stigma, already running or planned, for example, involving 30 local schools and even some local restaurants.

There was a lot of discussion and finally, we were told, the rest is up to us, but that the College would answer every question and provide all the support needed. Once Alexi has approved your idea you will be able to use the 2001: A Mind Odyssey logo. Even if you only have a vague idea about a possible project, why not contact her and discuss it?