Hear Us Summer Newsletter 2014

Hear Us, Croydon’s Mental Health Service User Group. Registered in England No. 6891337 Charity No.1135535

Registered Office, Orchard House 15a Purley Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EZ

In Our ShoesSummer Edition 2014

2 Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health

Also in this edition:

* SLaM wins Bafta award

* Hear Us Health and Wellbeing Day 20914

* Plus Poetry, Artwork, Active Minds and lots more

CONTENTS

Hear Us recieved an overwhelming volume

of articles, letters, poetry and personal

stories for this issue of “In Our Shoes”. Thank you to everyone who contributed and our apologies to anyone

whose submissions we weren’t able to include

this time round.

Contents

Features

10-13 Hear Us Linkworking Project

16-17 SLaM Recovery College

22-29 Anti Stigma Project - Reachout Challenge

27,29,34,46,55 Your True Stories of living with Mental Illness

40-43 Sailing with the Rona Sailing Project

44-45 Welfare Benefit News - ATOS ‘win’ and ‘lose’ contracts

Thank you to Hear Us Member and Trustee David Ashton for the

artwork in this Newsletter

Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health 3

Hear Us is Croydon’s Mental Health

Service User Group. Our membership is growing as more and more people with their own lived experience of mental health problems, as well as carers and staff from other voluntary and statutory organisations in the Borough, join us, to have their say about services.Membership is completely FREE and by joining you will:

“Haveyoursay”

* Receive our quarterly Newsletter, packed with information about the issues that affect us all, including personal stories of recovery, important ‘diary dates’, opportunities to get involved in shaping our inpatient and community mental health services and lots, lots more

* Receive invitations to our Monthly Open Forum – the biggest and the best meeting in the borough for people affected by mental illness. An opportunity to meet other people ‘in our shoes’, learn about the Topics that are important to US, such as medication, Welfare

What do YOU think?


Benefits, Social Activities etc. * Hear about our Annual

Social Events – including our Popular Xmas Party and our Summer Health and Wellbeing Day.

* Learn about Opportunities to get involved in improving the quality of the mental health services commissioned and delivered in Croydon.

www.hear-us.org

Orchard House15 A Purley RoadSouth CroydonCR2 6EZ

020 8681 6888

@ [email protected]

Dear ReadersWelcome to the

‘Summer’ Edition of the Hear Us Newsletter ‘In our Shoes’. And what’s not to like about the ‘Holiday’ Season? The days are getting longer and warmer, flowers are blooming and ATOS has just lost the contract to carry out ESA assessments! Happy Days!And we have been busier than ever in the Hear Us office; we’ve welcomed a new Linkwork Manager, who has expanded the project into more inpatient and community settings; we are about to launch our new and

MEMBERSHIP


improved website, have attracted funding to expand existing work and take on new projects and continue to attract new people to join our membership.But the past few months have not been without their challenges. As many of you will know, Orchard House has been undergoing a bit of a ‘face lift’ of late, as some refurbishment uncovered a few structural problems in the building, which saw our Colleagues from MIND in Croydon, flee to the safety of alternative premises, leaving Hear Us staff to ‘tough it out’ alone in Purley Road. We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to any of you who have been adversely affected by our unprecedented ‘house arrest’ and are pleased to say that we will be ‘back to normal’ very soon!Finally, planning for our 2014 Health and Wellbeing day is in full swing and promises to be bigger and better than ever. So if all your New Year Resolutions are now but a

distant memory, why not come along and have a go at a new physical activity, pamper yourself with a little ‘me time’ massage therapy, try your hands at ‘shrinkie making’ (you’ll love it I promise!) or cook up some healthy snacks. We also have ‘taster’ sessions in yoga, tai chi, creative writing and a host of other things, as well as a BBQ and Cocktail Bar. We hope that many of you will join us on Tuesday July 1st at the CVA, West Croydon. Until then……Best Wishes

Hear UsThe Hear Us Team

MEMBERSHIP


For this edition of .In Our Shoes I was going to adopt

a writing style called ‘Take several seemingly unrelated words or topics and throw them together haphazardly to see what happens’. This was intended to stop me rehashing more tales of Ridiculous Girlfriend ™ (RG™) but then the fish shop happened.

Amongst the many demands made by RG™ at Christmas was an aquarium, I thought long and hard about this and finally decided that mothering instincts, broodiness, obsession and transference of anxieties cannot possibly apply to a few 1 inch long fish. Obviously I didn’t think long enough or hard enough, as the staff who answer the phone at the local pet shop, every tropical fish forum on

the internet (and there’s a lot) and everyone who has ever owned a fish in their childhood (pretty much everyone) even if this was 60 years ago will confirm.

So far every time one of the fish looks peeky, tired, hungry or stressed (suddenly RG™ is an expert in spotting when a fish which she can’t tell apart from other similar fish is a little over-awed by their fast paced lifestyle or work demands) it causes either a panicked rush to the pet shop to buy something, a panicked phone call to friends, family, strangers, experts and even a random taxi driver or just some shouting and demands that something be done –

“BUT NOT THAT. THAT’S OBVIOUSLY WRONG YOU FISH MURDERING IDIOT”!

Anyway fish are supposed to be calming and therapeutic so I’m looking into getting ‘therapeutic panic therapy’ recognised by the GMC. This is a where you spin into a blind panic because

Whoever said Tropical Fish are relaxing?

FISHY TALES


Mary has swum near the top, this panic lasts for half an hour until Mary swims back towards the bottom of her own accord and the relief this causes promotes a feeling of wellbeing. It’s short-term as sooner or later Mary will swim towards the top again and the panic-relax-panic cycle will start again

Anyway the bottom line is they’ve cost an absolute fortune

and I could have brought a rescue dog or small child for the money, initially I was relieved I didn’t as the anxiety would be multiplied to the size of a million fish but now I’m not so sure. You see I could return the dog and cover myself by saying he ran off but it’s ok because I put a poster on a tree offering a reward or if necessary I could say the child asked to go back to

the orphanage. Not so easy to explain how six fish decided en-mass to flush t h e m s e l v e s down the loo.

Peter Rogers

(Hear Us Trustee)

Please note (for the record!) that this article is written ‘tongue in cheek’ and no offense shall be taken by the subject of Peter’s ridicule (i.e. me!), however, I reserve the right to 100% refute the contents of this article and of previous ‘Ridiculous Girlfriend’ articles - as absolutely NOT TRUE!!! - Jane White (Hear Us)

FISHY TALES


The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer.

A book review The book starts like this:‘I’ll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name’s Simon. I think you’re going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he’ll be dead. And he was never the same after that.’

I read many books as it is the best way I have found to relax in the evening.There are books which I choose because of the cover and others I discover by accident. This is one of those. I saw it had won the Costa book of the year in 2013 so thought I would give it a go. I couldn’t stop reading I stayed up late into the night.

BOOK REVIEW

Send us a short ‘review’ of

your favourite book and win a

copy of The Shock of the Fall.

Tell us how your favourite

book inspires or amuses you

and why other people should

read it too!


This book let me into the hidden parts of someone’s life and made it vividly real. The Shock of the Fall is an amazing book and the portrayal of the mental health system is spot on. Although this is a realistic account of living with schizophrenia it is very funny and am enjoyable read. The book is an extraordinary portrait of one man’s descent into mental illness. It is a brave and groundbreaking novel from one of the most exciting

new voices in fiction.About the AuthorNathan Filer is a registered mental health nurse. He is also a performance poet, contributing regularly to literary events across the UK. His work has been broadcast on television and radio. The Shock of the Fall is his

first novel.If you enjoy reading why not give it a try ?Hear Us Member

(who wins a copy of ‘Hyperbole and a half’ - reviewed in the last issue of In Our Shoes)

The Costa first novel award-winner, about a young schizophrenic man struggling with guilt, is a gripping and exhilarating read

‘Guardian January 2014’

BOOK REVIEW


Hi all,I was

so happy to find out I was successful in securing the role of Linkwork Manager but it was soon followed by a slight tinge of dread! Following in Allies footsteps and continuing the excellent work she has been doing over the last couple of years will be a tough act to follow…but it is one I shall endeavour to fulfil to the best of my ability and I am looking forward to working with Hear Us, the Link Workers and service providers across the borough alike. Starting as a Link Worker myself I have got to know some great characters and a lot of dedicated people, and look forward to the coming months where we will all continue to provide a much needed service within the mental health sector.

I myself had a breakdown in 2007 and found myself needing the support of mental health services in Croydon. My doctor made a referral to The Priory and placed me on anti-depressants. After some time I was accepted for Talking Therapy at Tamworth Road and continued to attend for a year.I am pleased to say I am in a much better place within myself and with the help and support of the depression

LINKWORKING

MEET OUR NEWLinkworking Manager


Looking into Local Mental Health ServicesThrough the Linkworking Project, service users are able to have a say about the issues that they are facing and the things that affect them during their journey through services. Our reports highlight these issues, providing evidence of the issues being raised which are then sent on to the managers of these services. This provides important feedback that can be used to

LINKWORKING

group (Tuesdays 3pm at East Croydon Medical Centre), the staff at Hear Us and in particular the voluntary work under Jane’s safe wing for the Reach Out Challenge, I am able to face each day with hope, enthusiasm and a thirst for life as I now have purpose and meaning. For me there is definitely life during and after mental health and I look forward to working with you all in my new role as Linkwork Manager.

make positive changes within services, ensuring that they are developed to meet the needs of the people that they service.

Who are the Linkworkers?The team of Hear Us Linkworkers have all had their own personal experience of using mental health services. They visit local Inpatient and Community services and support others going through mental illness. Linkworkers


listen, support and signpost people, drawing on their own knowledge and experiences to provide help and support to others.

What are some of the ISSUES being raised by Service Users?For people on Inpatient Units such as Gresham and Triage, issues include, Staff Support, Leave from the Ward, Food and Drink, Discharge planning and Access to Occupational Therapy; while in the community, service users talk to the Linkworkers about Housing, Welfare Benefits, Access to Activities and Social Inclusion services, Care Plans and Crisis Provision.

What do Linkworkers do with this Information?All conversations between Service Users and Linkworkers are confidential, unless there is a serious risk issue or the person concerned wants their name

mentioned. However general Themes and Issues raised are discussed with Ward and Community Team Managers and at meetings with Service Providers and Commissioners, so that our mental health services can be shaped and improved.

What Next?“Keep Talking To Us”

To find out when the Hear Us Linkworkers are visiting your Inpatient Ward or Resource Centre, ask any member of staff of phone Hear Us 020 8681 6888 “Become one of us”Interested in becoming a Linkworker?No experience (other than personal experience of being a service user) is needed and full training is given

LINKWORKING


“I haven’t eaten any food on the ward since I was admitted as it

didn’t look appetising”

“Medication is over used and that a lot of time, talking would be as effective,

if not more so.”

To find out more phone Barbra to arrange an informal interview.Find out more about the Linkworking Project:

□ On the Hear Us Website - www.hear-us.org/aboutus/ linkworking□ Email us - [email protected] □ Call us - 020 8681 6888 □ Keep in touch on line - □ facebook.com/hearuscroydon

LINKWORKING

STAFF

LEAVE

FOOD“I’m concerned about my discharge and not having somewhere to live. This is creating a lot of anxiety for me”


HEALTH &

Tuesday 1st July, from 1pm at the

CVA

HEAR US

WELLBEING DAY

HEAR US

WELLBEING DAY

EVENTS PROGRAMMEHear Us Health & Wellbeing Day

Tuesday July 1st 2014 from 1pm(BBQ, Icecream & Alcohol free Cocktail Bar)

RELAXATION ROOM 1-5pm □ Tai Chi, Pilates □ Mindfulness, Yoga □ Singing for Wellbeing

ARTS & CRAFTS 1-5pm □ Floral Workshop □ Jewellery Making □ Open Art Session □ Creative Writing

THERAPIES 1-5pm □ Massage,Bars,Reflexology □ Acupuncture, Indian Head Massage, Nails

Tournaments in Tabletennis, Bowls and Football


Health in Mind

Are you interested in learning something new which could benefit your Mental Health or the Mental Wellbeing of someone you care for? Perhaps you have had difficulties participating in Education in the past because of the following:

□ Feeling worried or stressed about being in groups or talking

□ Having difficulty getting to places on time or using public transport

□ Problems Concentrating, Dyslexia, Visual or Hearing Impairments, Mobility Difficulties

Well now you can learn, in an understanding environment and with SUPPORT at the SLaM Recovery College!

Service user’s, Carers and Staff learn together. For each course there is at least one Tutor or Trainer who has their

‘Recovery is about people with mentalhealthdifficultieshaving

the same opportunities in life as everyone else. It is about a personal journey towards a meaningful and satisfying life. It is about hope, control and

opportunity. It is about living as well as possible’.

SLaMrecoverycollege


own lived experience of mental illness working alongside trainers from the Mental Health Profession. All courses are completely FREE of CHARGE. No Referral is needed - you simple Enrol.

The Recovery College currently has an impressive 38 Courses and Workshops to choose from delivered at nine venues across Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon, as well as at the Bethlem.

There is something for everyone - examples of courses include Mindfulness, Food and Mood, Understanding Anxiety, Spirituality & Wellbeing and Mental Health - Your Rights at Work.

Tofindoutmoreaboutthecoursesonoffer,what Additional Support you might be able

to access etc, contact the College. With even more Courses and Workshops planned for nextterm(andatmorevenuesincludingin

Croydon), they are waiting to hear from YOU! You will get a friendly voice on the end of

the phone who will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

T: 020 3228 2175E: [email protected]

Office hours are 9am to 5pm

Contact SLaM Recovery College

South London and MaudsleyNHS Foundation Trust


OPEN FORUM

GuessWho?COMPETITION TIME!Can you guess the

‘Famous Face’ behind each Open Forum

Flyer!Send your answers to

020 8681 [email protected]

Orchard House, 15A Purley Road, South

CroydonCR2 6EZ

1.

2. 3.

4. 5.


The Hear Us Open Forum is held at 1pm on the first Tuesday of every month, at the CVA in West Croydon. The Meetings are open to anyone with an interest in Mental Health and Wellbeing, and we particularly welcome service users and carers. Meetings are a great opportunity to meet other

people and to find out what is going on in Croydon’s mental heath services.

Each month we invite along Guest Speakers to talk about the issues that service users tell Hear Us are important. Topics we will be covering in the next few months include Home Treatment, Appeals & Tribunals, Self Harm and Hoarding.

OPEN FORUM

“These Meetings are very informative and it’s great to have an opportunity to express your views and have your issues addressed. Long may they continue”.

Hear Us Open ForumJoin Us & have your say

If you have a subject you would like covered at a

Future Hear Us Meeting - we want to hear from you

“Every time that I come to a Hear Us Meeting I meet new people and learn new things”.


V RC A IWhy not try something ‘new’ and unleash your creative side with Sarah Milne?

Writing workshops on Fridays at Matthew’s Yard. This group has been set up at the request of mental health users in Croydon but is open to anyone. Sessions run from 12-2pm & cost just £5 (but please do give Sarah a call if you would like to join but can’t afford £5). Not sure? Come along to the FREE session at the Hear Us Health & Wellbeing Day on Tuesday July 1st at the CVA and try your hand at Creative Writing with Sarah.

Untapped Theatre - Workshops & Rehearsals take place at the Edge Bar, South Croydon, Sundays 1.30-4pmThe theatre group is free. The first main production will be in November 2014 and will take place at Matthew’s Yard. The play is loosely based on the traditional Grim fairy tale of Cinderella - with X-Factor as the ball in the story!

BE

With Sarah Milne...

BE CREATIVE


Hi, I’m Sarah and my

passion is writing and

inspiring others to to be

creative and to discover

and foster their talents

I write features for

magazines and for local

and national papers,

perform my own stories

and poems and am

currently writing my first

novel. I also write ....

Sarah says: “We would love more people to come and get involved and have roles for actors and singers as well as smaller roles for people who don’t want to do too much. We also have a place for people interested in set, costume and sound and lighting etc., singers and musicians. We welcome everyone to take part. Our rehearsals and workshops will all be safe, welcoming and adaptive to the individual needs of those who come”.

07540993367

[email protected]

Contact Sarah

BE CREATIVE


Hi there I have been asked by Jane to put pen to

paper, as it were and describe my experiences working with the Hear US REACH OUT CHALLENGE anti stigma project. Before I make some personal reflections, it is necessary to say a few words to explain the project and it's purpose. I know. I am probably preaching to the converted and many of you reading this will have been involved with the project for far longer than myself, but please be patient with me for the benefit of those who may be new to Hear Us.

The REACH OUT CHALLENGE is funded by Time To Change and sets out to educate the public and promote social understanding of mental health and mental illness. Key public bodies and organisations are targeted and with their cooperation an event is held at their work place. A presentation is given, usually a video is shown, which has been wonderfully produced by David and a talk is given by Jane elucidating knowledge of what mental illness is and Richard then presents a brief quiz challenging the misconceptions held by many on mental health. Hear Us volunteer members then hold conversations with people from the organisation that has invited us to present the event where we talk about our own personal journey through mental health and what it meant to us and our families.

Hear Us have made almost fifty presentations in the last two years and among the

REACHOUT

REACHOUT

C H A LLE N G E


public bodies to have invited us to present an event have been the London Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Police. DWP Job centres, 999 emergency call centres, Croydon University Hospital A&E Dept” Crystal Palace FC and major local employers.

I spoke about my own personal journey through mental ill heath in the last edition of the Hear Us news letter in connection with the voluntary work that I do with Mind as a VPA (volunteer parental advocate ) so it is not necessary to go over old ground here, save to say that I have suffered with recurrent depression and anxiety for some ten years now that has in the past led to my being a patient in Bethlem hospital. There is a vast public misunderstanding of what mental illness is, due largely sensationalised stories in the tabloid press about dangerous psychopaths on the rampage. Stories of people who manage their mental illness, whilst at the same time

REACHOUT


holding down responsible jobs and successful relationships do not sell copies. It is a fact that one in four people will at some point in their lives suffer some form of mental illness and those fortunate enough not to themselves will have somebody close to them that does. Among famous celebrities to have openly acknowledged their mental illness have been Stephen Fry, Johnny Depp, Spike Milligan and famous politicians such as Winston Churchill, war time prime minister and Alastair Campbell, personal advisor to Tony Blaire and architect of “New Labour” Mental health covers a huge spectrum and covers depression, bipolar, eating disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorder, ADHD, and a plethora of other conditions.

I was first asked by Jane at the outset of the project to become involved, but I refused. I felt that my anxiety and social phobia would prevent my being able

to engage with the project. “I couldn’t do it “, but I was wrong. Since I became involved four months ago at the beginning of the year I have learned so much, not just about mental health, but about myself. I believed that having studied psychology with the open university that I had a good understanding of what mental ill health was, but it has been the wonderful, inspirational volunteers that I heave had the good fortune to have worked alongside, who have honestly spoken of their own personal journey with mental ill health and how they overcame their condition and learned to manage it that has led to my real social understanding of the issue and makes me feel humble.

When Richard states during the presentation that we are more than just our illness, but are individuals in our own right leading normal lives he really nails it. I have found that in order to socially educate

REACHOUT


others on matters concerning mental health we first of all have to educate ourselves. Speaking in purely a personal capacity I have found that I internalised a very deep sense of guilt and shame at having become mentally ill and having to go into the Bethlem hospital, which led to my children having to go into foster care as I was no longer well enough to continue looking after them as a single parent. I have finally been able to forgive myself for becoming ill as a direct result of my experience working with others as a Hear Us volunteer.

As stated above there have been almost fifty HEAR US REACH OUT CHALLENGE events in the last two years and there have been highs and lows along the way. Jane eloquently recalls during her presentation that a police officer told her, that thanks to what he had learned about mental health during an event, he was able to prevent a woman from committing suicide. Now that is

what I call making a difference! I remember a conversation I had with a female paramedic at a Croydon ambulance station who thanked me for what I had said as she said it gave her greater understanding of issues she faced with her own children.

For me personally the highest point in the brief period that I have been involved with the project was when we were chosen by our patrons to present our project to a group of people from Holland who were in the process of setting up a similar project back home. Much negativity is spouted in the media and by politicians regarding Britain’s relationship with Europe, but working with the group from Holland, for me only emphasised the common humanity we all share wherever we live.

This event was a low point as well as a high point as Jane disclosed it was to be the last event to be funded by Time to Change. I was left feeling

REACHOUT


some what flat and wishing I had become involved earlier in the project.

In closing I would just like to say that the only regret at having become involved as a Reach Out volunteer is that I did not listen to Jane and get involved much earlier. Jane had confidence in me at a time when I had none in myself. I know it is not the end of the project, despite the funding coming to an end from Time to Change. Jane, our tenacious and much respected leader already has plans on how to raise funds in order to continue with the project, so

it really is a case of onwards and upwards.

REACHOUT

Hear Us would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the amazing Reachout Challenge Volunteers who worked with us on this Project. Whether you were involved in one event or several, your hard work has helped break down barriers and combat stigma. Without the courage and committment of each and every one of you the Reachout Challenge wouldn’t have been such an outstanding success.


Richards story.Hello my name is Richard; I have been a member of Hear Us for about two years. I was asked if I was interested in going to a Reachout event, I said yes but didn’t really understand what it was about. I thought it was the ambulance service talking to us about the service they provide when, at the event, I realised that it was us “THE MENTALS” giving them training. A spike of adrenaline coursed through my veins and when I had my first conversation, with two young 999 callers, I completely and emotionally over-exposed myself. From my perspective, I saw the fear and horror on their face; I collapsed psychologically, emotionally and physically and burst into tears. But, within a short period of time, the other members of Hear Us soon supported me and not with sympathy or placation but with understanding and compassion. I came away

thinking “it’s too much for me, too dangerous, too raw of an emotion to deal with. But after a few days of processing it, I felt fundamentally it was a good idea. So, with some encouragement from the other members of hear us, I went again. I was extremely nervous and my conversations were guarded, I came away unsatisfied with my contribution and when at home I struggled to process the point of it all. This manifested itself into feelings of anxiety that intertwined with the innate symptoms of mental illness

REACHOUT


that I struggle with. But again, I felt the project was important so I made the decision to be as open and as honest as possible, knowing and trusting I was in a safe environment. At this point I would like to stop because I could waffle on and on and on, and Jane would take the piss out of me. But if I have through my conversations, or should

I say our conversations, made one person treat us “THE MENTALS” with dignity, compassion and understanding then job done

Richard,

PS: be good, be kind, be truthful and be free.

xxx

REACHOUT

MY LIFE WITH HEARUS Hi everyone my name is Cheryalin/Shellie, for those People who have already read my article in our last newsletter; this is a follow up of my life with Hear Us. Since joining Hear Us in July last year and being under Jane White’s wing, I’m doing very well. I joined Reach Out, Steering Group a couple of months later and now take the minutes for these meetings. When I first joined I wouldn’t

talk to anyone about my mental illness but being in Reach Out with people who have a mental illness I now know I’m not the only one because it felt like I was the only one. I couldn’t speak to my family if I ever said anything about mental health to my father he would say don’t be silly there’s nothing wrong with you stop listening to other people even if they are professionals. I have gained confidence in myself and learning to trust people in the organisation as they understand where I am coming from. With Hear Us I do all our


monitoring graph’s and tables for the Reach Out Challenge, which Jane then sends to Time to Change in her annual reports. If you are having a bad day or just not feeling good in yourself Tim and Jane understand they are very caring and without them in my life I would be in and out of hospital. Being part of Hear Us I do part time work for them and the rest of the week I’m a volunteer at Hear Us and I love it, it gives

me a purpose in my life and makes me feel that I’m worthy of being on this earth. People tell me that they appreciate me as Jane and Tim have said to me time and time again. I’m even going to be a link worker as the manger Barbra is a very nice and kind person and I feel confident to do link working under her care.

Shellie - Hear Us

Orchard House

REACHOUT


We are a special group of people.

We keep many things.Not for us the bulging

dustbins.Or recycling bins

Not for us the pristine houses,

Everything shut away.We prefer to keep stuff near

usFor another day.

Piles and stacks and hoards of all sorts,

books and music clothes and tins.

All together we can see them,

boxes bric-a- brac and things.

Piled high a blaze of colourAll startling to the eyes.

Stuff in bags and piles and boxes.

Coloured piles of every size.Small bags big bags no

recycling,

Bags are needed for the stuff

Black sacks, green sacks, cardboard boxes.

We can never have enoughBut these bags they cause a

problemWhere to walk and stand

and sit,Move them over, ever

upward, our living space is just a bit

We develop ways of walking,

Like a crab upon a shore,Sideways, slow, our feet are

seekingA small space upon the floor

But I joke, it is not funny,In fact it is much the

opposite.Stuff we have and in a

abundanceBut there is nowhere much

to sit

Only we who have this problem

Realise that it’s bad. We do not want our friend

HOARDING

HOARDING


to see itThat it is why it’s sad

Shame and worry and self loathing,

they all play a bit,sitting in our chocked up

houses surveying all the shit

Yes, it is poetic licence.Yes, I shouldn’t swear.

And yet it makes me feel so wretched

Whenever I am thereWe do not choose to have

this problem.For us it is so very sad,

Like something there within our psyche,

But it doesn’t mean we’re bad

Funny looks or threats from neighbours

Lead to acute embarrassment.

We feel reports to health and safety

Will a summands to us be sent?

Even families can hurt usWhen the grumble at our

stuff.They think we are stupid,

mad or lazy.They do not understand

enough

Will we ever solve this problem?

Can a lasting cure be found?Thanks to research from

caring people We maybe slowly breaking

ground.Slow but sure there

is an answerfrom this self

paralysis.We can do our best

to help themAnd tell them how

this really is.

HOARDING


If you mention the Jobcentre to many people on Benefits, they are likely to pull a face and mutter something along the lines of “they don’t care about us” or “it’s just a job to them”. However, as this story (true) demonstrates, there ARE people within the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) who DO care. As you may be aware, Hear

Us ran a very successful anti-stigma project called the Reachout Challenge that worked with many organisations in Croydon, including several Jobcentres, between 2012 and 2014. Almost without exception we found the staff we talked to to be kind, considerate and caring. We weren’t expecting this at all! Just as there is stigma towards those of us with mental health problems, so too do we often stereotype others. As this story demonstrates, there are good people everywhere, and the DWP is no exception.

BUILDING BLOCKS

His mother decided to inflict him with a girl’s name. It is

the one thing that makes him laugh. He is 39 years of age,

clean shaven, blue eyed and well mannered.

He had been in full employment for the last 10 years when he had a severe break-down due to the break-

There are good people everywhere, and the DWP is

no exception.

“ “

TRUE STORY


up of his relationship of 13 years and in one month his employer told him he did not need him any more, he was

made homeless as another man moved in while he was in hospital and his 2 children stayed with his ex-partner.

He was referred to me for help as a very vulnerable guy who was lost and suddenly homeless, and because I have a lot of contacts. I coordinated with the Westminster Drug Project for advice although he has no addictions. The project worker I contacted pushed his case forward as she used to shop in the place where he worked. His care manager was asked to do a SNAP referral by both of us for him to get accommodation. I got in touch with Croydon Council

to push for the SNAP form to be given priority. My lovely guy remembers that project worker as a hard to please

customer…… My contact at Croydon Council got fed up with the constant calls coming from her and I, especially as K’s. care manager failed to complete the form correctly. In the end, one of his staff went to the Maudsley hospital to collect it and advise on the format. K. is now in supported housing

I then referred K. to Belinda (Disability Employment Adviser). K is an ideal candidate for the Queen Elizabeth foundation in Leatherhead. He went for an assessment as she knew he was ticking all the right boxes: mental health, recently in full

TRUE STORY


employment. The queen Elizabeth Foundation provides residential courses for up to a year in beautiful surroundings. They have doctors, nurses and mental health specialists. The grounds are extensive. Unfortunately, his mind was too fragile and the course was put on hold after a few weeks until he is well enough to cope.

He still cannot sleep and his medication is still not right, but with the care and support

he is getting, I have my fingers tightly crossed.

This is why I have entitled this “Building Blocks”.

Michèle South

Croydon JCP

Scott’s StoryHello my name is Scott Hillier I'm age 39 and was diagnosed with bipolar type one (manic depression) in the year 2000. I have been hospitalised and sectioned 11 times under the mental health act as a result of my condition. If the bethlem royal hospital was a hotel then

I would definitely have shares in it by now! Ever since I was a child I don't know how but I felt different, as if I didn't belong It felt almost like I wasn't from this earth. I strongly believe I was born with bipolar and that it lay waiting dormant inside of me until much later in life. I had a normal upbringing with my mum dad and sister, we

SCOTT’S STORY


were provided for and wanted for nothing. I remember from a very young age I would Rome around the playground deep in thought lost in my own head, I was also extremely hyperactive and manic and wanted everything now! In the words of my mum I was a spoilt little Brat. I wasn't interested with what school had to teach me although I loved art and have a creative streak and also a very vivid imagination( in fact I'm loving writing this as we speak) I've always been very much a free spirit and if I don't like something I won't do it simple. I spent a lot of my youth up until 26 partying way too much and had no direction at all and was in a dead end sales job which I hated but it was a means to an end which allowed me to go out and party. I was in

self-destruct mode and was drinking heavily and also using cocaine I was using and drinking to mask this massive void in my life and numb my extreme discontentment and unhappiness I didn’t know at

the time that I was actually self-medicating my illness.

Leading up to my first manic episode of being unwell my drinking and drug use escalated Then I split up with my girlfriend and then I lost my job. Then one night I remember sitting in my

SCOTT’S STORY


bedroom in deep thought when my mind completely opened up and something snapped. I woke up the next day and felt different, I had loads of energy and was full of ideas and would speak a hundred miles an hour. I felt like I had inside of me every single answer to every single question in the universe, I felt invincible and felt like I was

God! I suffered delusions of grandeur and was convinced I had fifteen million pounds in the bank I would also get telepathic messages through the tv and coded messages from the radio I felt like I was part of some government conspiracy and was working under cover for the MI5. Everything on this planet was designed for me. The sun would come out just for

me, the traffic would stop just for me and a message on a billboard would be just for me. This first feeling of mania I had was the most beautiful feeling I ever had, a trillion time better than any drug I took.

But then by all accounts I started behaving oddly and acting inappropriately and my dad locked me in the house until the doctors came who gave me two pills, and that night I went to bed and I had an outer body experience I come out of my body and went up into space it was amazing. When I re-entered my body I thought I was dead and remember looking in the mirror to check i was still there. The next day my dad took me to the bethlem royal hospital where that afternoon i was sectioned. That was the most terrifying moment of my life and that's when my beautiful feeling of mania turned dark after that into psychosis I felt like a caged animal who was locked up for good. I became wild and feral and lashed out

SCOTT’S STORY

The sun would come out just for me, the traffic would stop just for me and a message on a billboard would be just for me.


and struck a male nurse then set off the alarms and tried to get everyone to escape with me.

This was the first of many episodes, I was sectioned 10 times after this but mainly because I refused to take my medication because I wanted to experience that beautiful euphoric feeling of mania again. But I've since realised that game is like making a pact with the devil as what goes up has to come down and the higher you go the lower you fall. Nowadays I try and do as I'm told and take my meds although I will never be an angel!

Today my life is great I feel like I've really turned a corner and I'm finally embarking on my life's journey. I stay fit and

active and keep busy. I do some work for Hear Us and I'm part of the Reach Out challenge anti stigma project and I'm a massive advocate of promoting mental health. I'm also going to be link working soon and hopefully going to

be working with patients on the very ward I was sectioned in!

Life is great I hope you enjoyed reading my story, I

have plenty more where they came from but I will save them for the amateur documentary I'm having made about me and bipolar this is going to be produced by Adrian and David who also do work for Hear Us.. So watch this space!

Scott Hillier Hear Us Member

SCOTT’S STORY


I first went sailing with The Rona Sailing Project 2 years

ago after seeing a poster at Purley Resource Centre. At the time, I was going through a difficult patch and so this was a very welcomed break (or escape!). Despite looking forward to my first long weekend trip, I was also very anxious about meeting so many new people, having to eat and sleep with them and not being able to hide away on my own. All things that I struggled with! But I rose to the challenge and had an amazing time. The only downside was returning home to reality but the trip had helped me so much and I came back knowing what I had to do. The crew are brilliant and spend a

lot of time teaching new skills and knowledge about sailing. Everyone is involved with all tasks that need doing including the cooking, cleaning, handling with sails and even taking the helm.

Last year I decided to go on the long weekend and the week trip. As with the previous year, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We had hoped to sail cross channel on the week trip but unfortunately the weather stopped us. Nevertheless this posed us with different challenges and we did do a lot of sailing – from Southamptom to Cowes, to Yarmouth, to Poole, back to Cowes and then back to Southampton. During this week, I was able to

WITH SAILING ON THEIR S !!

ALL AT SEA


achieve my Competent Crew Certificate which gave me such a boost. I hadn’t been well leading up to the trip and wasn’t sure I would be able

to do the work needed for the certificate but surprised myself but couldn’t have done

it without the support and encouragement of the crew.

I would highly recommend the sailing trips to anyone. Not only is a great to have a break, but there is a high sense of achievement and satisfaction at learning something new and for me, learning I was good at something!(Em Guest)

ALL AT SEA

“I would highly recommend the sailing trips to anyone”


ALL AT SEA

I never thought I would be one to take to sailing, as I have never really stuck at anything for very long; but when I saw a poster down at mind and knowing my best friend had done it the year previously, I thought I would give it a try.

I contacted Adrian who works at mind who gave me the information I needed, I was a little worried that I would be spending the weekend with people I didn’t know and how I would get through the weekend not having the luxuries I’m normally use to. We all met up at mind in Purley and was taken to South Hampton Harbour by minibus where

we boarded Donald Seale Our wonderful beloved home for the weekend I was quite amazed by the amenities on Donald, My biggest anxiety are toilets, I always need to

know where there is a sufficient toilet for me to use where ever I go, so I was pretty happy when I saw two heads (toilets) on board.

It was funny trying to get into the bunks at night although a little tight, they were very snug and cosy. The food was fantastic and there was always seconds, my favourite meal was the roasted Lamb.

The best part for me that


weekend away was waking up on a Saturday & Sunday morning around 5 and sitting up on deck, the peace and tranquillity and being away from busy Croydon hugged me and I felt content and a sense of stillness in my mind something that hadn’t happened for a while.

During the day I was taught about winching, the different sails, tying knots and other things you need to know when sailing, I was also allowed to take the boat out of harbour with help from the amazing crew who do everything possible to make you experience memorable; the evenings on the boat are fantastic we sing songs and go to the pub. Unfortunately all good things have to end and the weekend is one of them. I also went on the 5 day experience last year, which was also fantastic and it was good to spend some quality time with my best friend we always have a laugh.

This year I will be going sailing in May, which I’m really

looking forward to, unfortunately I won’t have my friend with me but it’s thanks to her I have gained this new interest in sailing as well as a competent crew certificate.

By Sarah Williamson

ALL AT SEA

Contact Adrian

Tel: 07816 904291

Email: adrian_sailing@hotmail.

co.uk


For a complete ‘brochure’ of all the activities run by Active Minds, including days, times, prices (many activities are completely FREE), how to join and supportavailable,contactDora,PeterorAlex:

for better mental healthFootball Sessions

Swimming

Boxercise

Yoga Classes

Cook & Taste

Badminton

Table Tennis

Horticulture

Relaxation

Tennis

Spring and Summer 2014

ACTIVE MINDS

Get Active and get Involved with Active Minds

Tel: 020 8 253 8205/8206Email: [email protected]

www.mindincroydon.org.uk


ACTIVE MINDS

About Active MindsThe aim of our service is to

give a taster of activities and help to improve confidence

so that you feel better able to access activities within your

local community

Buddy Support Service

Want to try a new activity with Active Minds or

elsewhere in Croydon? Feel that you need someone to support you until you have

built up your confidence to go alone? Then ask for a Buddy

who can work with you to achieve your goals

Exercise on ReferralTalk to Active Minds about support to access Croydon Council and Fusion Leisure facilities, including Gyms,

using the Exercise on Referral Service

Active Minds: What’s New?

Tel: 07754828053email: activeminds@

mindincroydon.org.uk

Cycling at Croydon Arena

Cost: FREEEvery Thursday

Bikes & Helmets provided

Active Minds free Stop Smoking Service

Receive weekly one to one support and free nicotine

replacement therapy


Welfare Benefit News

Anyone who has been for a medical

(otherwise known as a ‘face to face assessment’) for their benefits, will have heard of the company ATOS. Atos Healthcare (to give them their full title) conducts assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help decide whether or not someone is entitled to recieve their benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance or Personal Independence Payment . Over recent months there has been much controversy about the way these assessments are carried out. Many people feel that ATOS don’t have the necessary skills to assess those of us with mental health difficulties and

that the assessments are very heavily weighted towards physical health. Other comments that people have made about these assessments are that they don’t give the full picture of a person’s illness or disability, particularly if their condition fluctuates (e.g a person has good and bad days)

There has been some confusion over whether or not ATOS are here to stay (or gone tomorrow!). We bring you the latest ‘ATOS News’

WELFARE NEWS


from a reliable source

ATOS Lose and Keep Contracts

So which contract have ATOS lost?

ATOS have lost the contract for the Work Capability Assessment (the medical tests for Employment and Support Allowance).

Why? The Minister of State, Department for Work and

Pensions (Mike Penning) has said this is due to 'significant quality failures in the written reports produced by Atos following assessments.'

When will this happen? When the government appoints another national provider probably early next year. Until then ATOS will continue to provide the assessments.

Which contracts have they kept?

ATOS will still be handling medical input into two thirds of the country's claims for PIP(Personal Independence Payments). A company called CAPITA are handling the other third of claims.

ATOS also carry out assessments relating to Disability Living Allowance

“Significant failures in the written reports produced by Atos following assessments.”

TIP: If you are asked to attend an assessment take someone with you, a friend, family member or advice worker

WELFARE NEWS


HOME AGAIN

What remained of home for me at 14 was run far

away from, and fifteen years, many hostels, the odd friends and partners’ flats, and far too many hospitals later I found myself in a B&B, and without a hope in hell. It was with great thanks to Hear Us that we (Hear Us and I) managed to challenge the council and get myself into their system, ready to be pushed and pulled around by them. They did manage to spin me round the houses, quite literally, but eventually called me in, handed me a set of Keys and

a map, all completed with a chaotic one day rush in which to move everything. That done, I sat without heating or electricity on the edge of a camp bed, wrapped in a sleeping bag and thought “Well this is it”.

A door, some walls, a floor: these things I’ve had in many guises, under many names,

none of which have ever meant ‘Home.’ And these bricks and mortar were, or at least at first didn’t mean so either.

I still have my childhood toy, Mister Womble and he has been everywhere with me, all the time complaining “I don’t like hospitals” and, more significantly “You promised me a Home Again!”

Well now he has one. Proudly, and all clean courtesy of a Bosch washing machine, he

“You promised me a Home Again!”

KELIE’S STORY


sits on the cutest tapered back chair and, having earnestly reminded me to utilize my new cooker he’s happy to sit and watch me eat at my new table (even if I have taken the easy option and microwaved soup). He tries to climb into my warm comfy bed with me – and sometimes I let him.

So what turned cold unfurnished walls and floors, devoid of bedding, white goods and feeling, from just another place into a cosy home? Home Again did!

You might have seen the Home Again shop in St Georges Walk, selling everything from the essentials to the extravagant, and all the touches in-between, from antique to modern. What is less known is that Home Again are a registered charity who collect from individuals and via the London Re-use network. They then dispatch furniture and white goods to those on benefits and in need across 7

London boroughs. Under their previous name, A.R.C. Home Again worked closely with SLAM and Croydon Council and are re-establishing these Links. All goods come with free delivery and a two year full warranty.

If you are in need of furniture and/or white goods you should ask your care-coordinator, support worker or team leader

KELIE’S STORY


to be referred to Home Again. This can be done over the phone, and the manager,

glorious Gloria will help to turn your house or flat into a home.Having now finally satisfied my creative yet highly indecisive nature and made a choice they’ll even sell me cheap paint. The only thing they can’t supply is the giant cat.

“Glorious Gloria will help to turn your house orflatintoahome”.

Gloria says:

What a lovely testimony, full of struggle but with a lot of hope and a positive outcome. I love the article and there is much innocence that is both very brave and touching.

I would love to take all the credit but it was team work from different sectors

“

and departments, Kevin McKenna (from Croydon Council) personally came to see me a couple of times to make sure Kelie’s case had priority”.

“

Hear Us:

David Lynch from Tamworth Road Resource Centre was also instrumental in making this all happen for Kelie. But above all, Kelie’s tenacity and determination shone though and she never gave up, despite difficult times.

““

HomeAgainexiststoprovidehigh quality, low cost, furniture and appliances in the Croydon area

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm

About Home Again

KELIE’S STORY


We sell re-used low cost furniture and appliances

Visit us to shop for

• Cookers and washing machines

• Beds and Sofas

• Dining tables and chairs

• Fridges, freezers and much more....

Home Again: 44 St Georges Walk, Croydon CR0 1YJ

For more information visitwww.homeagain-org

facebook/homeagainincroydonwww.londonreuse.org

email:[email protected]: 020 86670067

HOME AGAIN


Simon says:

“I am delighted to have been asked to write an

article on our recent Channel 4 series documentary Bedlam. I am the Head of the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit

Many of you would have watched Bedlam, the four-part documentary series about patients and staff at South London and Maudsley (SLaM) when it aired on our TVs last year. Great news: Bedlam has won a BAFTA television award at this year’s ceremony in London, beating nominees including Educating Yorkshire, Keeping Britain Alive and The Route Masters: Running London’s Roads.The four-part documentary series was announced winner of the ‘best factual series’ category at the BAFTAs awards on Sunday 18 May. Hear Us asked Simon Darnley, the head of the Anxiety Disorders Unit featured in episode 1 of the series for his thoughts about the programme and its success...

SIMON SAYS

BEDLAM WINS A BAFTA


(ADRU) featured in the first of the four programs in the series. Our National Unit accepts residents from all over England to our 12-16 week programme. Most of our residents have Obsessional Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). We will provide help for

those people who have been unsuccessful with previous treatments and have great outcomes.

I have always seen an important part of my role is to promote our unit and let as many people as possible know that we exist and there is hope. All of our team has been involved in National Charities such as OCD ACTION or OCD UK, talking at conferences or helping provide advice

and support in obtaining funding for treatment. I am very proud of the unit and have seen many examples of it changing people’s lives in so many positive ways. Unfortunately it can still take many years of suffering with OCD or BDD before obtaining the correct treatment. The TV documentary was a great way of promoting mental health and excellent treatment. In the past we had been approached by various TV producers who also saw potential for a programme showing the types of problems we treat and the work we do at the unit. I was always open to the possibility but, when the Garden Productions team, who had a great track record of excellent documentary making with One Born Every Minute and 24 hours in A&E, approached us, I felt assured that they would do a sensible, non-sensationalist job of portraying the issues involved.

The documentary would never

SIMON SAYS

I am very proud of the unit and have seen many examplesofitchangingpeople’s lives in so many positive ways.


have happened without the residents involved taking a big risk and opening up some of their most personal problems to a TV audience of millions. I think they were extremely brave to do this. I know they did so in the belief that by showing their problems, suffering and progress they can give hope and inspiration to others. I’m sure it will help people recognise some of the problems they themselves may have and offer hope that

they are not alone and that help is available.

There were many challenges to filming. The camera crew was with us for nearly 7 months. We had many meetings with the directors, staff and residents and informed every resident before coming to the unit that this was going to happen and if they wanted not to be filmed then that was fine and it would not affect their treatment.

SIMON SAYS


Even though many of the residents were anxious about the filming, the cameras soon became a familiar sight on the unit. They even gave some of the residents their own camcorders to record their own thoughts and feelings about treatment and their problems.

It can be quite unnerving when you are trying to do therapy with a camera inches from your face, just ask Anna one of the therapists featured in the programme! Overall the TV production team was very sensitive and discussed anything that may have caused potential anxiety or got in the way of treatment.

The biggest regret is that the show is less than an hour long. There was so much that was filmed but had to be left out. The unit is a much more inclusive and richer place than shown in the documentary. We have a motto “your courage is met by our compassion”. When people

first come to our unit we explain that the therapy is a full time job and that residents need to immerse themselves in the programme and live it 24 hours a day.

As well as 3-5 sessions of individual therapy with your therapist, we have a weekly skills group, community meeting and an ongoing compassionate mind group where people address issues of self criticism and shame. Lisa Johnston heads up a team of occupational therapists that runs a whole bunch of innovative programmes for the residents.

We have our own art building residents can access 24hours a day, a walled garden where people can grow vegetables and then learn to cook and eat as a community, weekly group outings to places such as Borough Market or museums where people can practice facing their fears. We also encourage a therapeutic community with

SIMON SAYS


other residents supporting and encouraging each other in treatment long after the staff leave at 5.00pm. All these things were filmed but unfortunately a lot missed the cut.

Despite these limitations the programme was very well produced, engaging and really was an insight into the reality of OCD and treatment. The highlight for me was seeing the massive amount of progress James the resident features in the programme made. At the beginning of the programme he was almost totally spending most of his day in the toilet only able to come out for short lengths of time. After treatment James has continued to make progress, gone to University and is now living a normal life.

Feedback from the programme

from family, friends, residents past and present, newspapers, twitter and everywhere has been overwhelmingly positive so much so that this month Bedlam even won a BAFTA for best factual series!!

I am very proud of the staff that were involved in the programme, not just the ones who were shown on screen but the many other occupational therapists, housekeepers, CBT therapists, therapy assistants ,doctors, administrators, volunteers and other residents around at the time who, as part of therapeutic community, all contribute to people getting better.

In summary; would I do it again?... yes definitely, and you never know, maybe there will be a second series!

Simon Darnley

Head of the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit

Bethlem Royal Hospital

SIMON SAYS

You never know, maybe there will be a second series

“


This story I’ll tell youWill make you feel sadIt’ll make you feel angryIt’ll make you feel mad

For this is a storyAbout trouble and painThat ends with a loss

There was nothing to gain!

It started that dayWhen they followed me homeThey pushed and they kicked

Wouldn’t leave me alone

Then each day that followedIt became worse and worseI don’t know why they did it

Perhaps I was cursed?

So one night all aloneI took to my room

And I thought to myself“It’ll be over soon”

With no fear in my heartAnd nought but a knifeI slashed my own wrists

I took my own life

As the blood dripped awayAnd my heart stood still

Those kids were to blameThey drove me to kill

They’re lucky, you see‘Cos now they got away

And my family livesWith this pain every day

‘Cos I am not thereThey all weep and they cryFor no one could save meThey all watched me die

So when you see a kidWho’s not pretty or smart

Don’t taunt them or beat themPlease, have a heart

‘Cos one day that kidThat you kicked in the headMay be found by her parents

tooIn her room,

Dead.

My poem was written as a look back on my life and how things could have been.

Kimberly - Hear Us Member

Driven to kill.


Croydon Eagles Swoop over Lewes

On 14th May 2014 we had a good turnout for a

tournament in a place most of our players had never even heard of, Lewes.But as it turned out it was an amazing location set in a lovely town in the Sussex Downs. I think our guys were just looking forward to a day out with a bit of football thrown in as a bonus. A lot of us Londoners don’t get out to the country too often. After we arrived we were all impressed with the set up and friendly atmosphere. When the lads were told there would be a free lunch things got even better. Everyone waited with anticipation (for the football to start, not the free lunch)

When the matches began it was a very enjoyable and competitive series of games with some very silky skills on show.

The growth in mental health football in the last few years has been brilliant, more and more teams are forming around the country, leagues and tournaments are being organised with many teams being supported by professional and non-league clubs.Football and other physical activities are crucial in helping people who have had mental health issues, helping them keep fit and be part of something.

Back to the day, our team The

FOOTY TIME


Croydon Eagles did really well topping our group and getting into the next round where we played some very competitive but fun games played in the right spirit. The standard of football was very impressive; we came third in our second round group losing to the eventual finalists.The day was brilliant, everyone enjoyed themselves, a few tempers frayed along the way but that’s football and that’s WHY WE LOVE IT.

So a massive thanks to Lewes FC for a really good day out. It was well organised and fun for everyone involved. We look forward to returning one day

Tim MatthiasCentral Defender – Croydon Eagles

Croydon Eagles are supported by Active Minds in partnership with Crystal Palace Foundation

FOOTY TIME

Please don’t forget to tell Hear Us what you think of our Newsletter - whether your comments are positive or ‘constructively’ critical - we want to hear them!Remember all feedback wll be entered into our prize draw for a £20 Voucher of your choosing. Congratulations to Sue Brackenridge who won a £20 Voucher for her comments about our Winter Issue of “In Our Shoes”.

GIF

T V

OU

CH

ER


Y UR SH UTI LOVE MY MEDICATION

By Paul Warwick

It gets a bit tiring when you’ve

so often heard both service

users and health professionals

moaning about the effects

of antipsychotic medication.

And the way some people

talk about medication you’d

think it had been invented by

the devil. The truth is though

that medication is created by

highly educated people, some

of whom are in their profession

because they want to make

a difference and they have

a passionate desire to help

and alleviate human suffering,

which a lot of antipsychotic

medication does.

The side effects of a lot of

antipsychotic medication are

horrible, but we shouldn’t just

focus on this side of things,

but should be grateful for and

acknowledge the positive

aspects of medication.

I first became ill in 1992, age

24, after I was released from

prison, where I’d spent about

8 years locked up. I had a

schizophrenic breakdown and

had three spells in Springfield

MEDICATION


hospital, twice on a section.

I was last discharged from

hospital in 1993, and since

then I’ve spent most of that

time on medication.

The side effects I experience

from the Olanzapine I take,

and from my illness, means

that I often feel nauseous,

especially for the first few

hours after waking up. I also

go to toilet a lot when I’ve

awoken. And I need much

more sleep than a normal

person. And I often feel

lethargic and feel mentally

and physically debilitated,

which makes me feel like

I’ve got less mental and

physical stamina than many

pensioners, and I’ve felt this

way since I first became ill.

Its not the end of the world

though. Things for me could

be so much worse. I could be

in a wheelchair, could be deaf,

dumb, blind, or a combination

of all these things, but

thankfully I’m not.

If I kept moaning about

medication and stopped taking

it, I would probably end up in

and out of hospital. Instead

I’ve been out of hospital about

21 years now. I met my wife

in church and I’ve been in

a relationship with her for

about 14 years now and have

been married nearly 11, and

I’ve got two grown up step

MEDICATION


children and two daughters

age 9 and 6. I’ve also now

got qualifications in Video

Production. I’ve made loads

of short films and have got

over 60 films on Youtube,

ranging from music videos I

directed, to weddings and little

home movie and family clips.

I’ve also now written 17

mainly slim books, and so far

I’ve got 3 of them published

as ebooks by Chipmunka

publishers under my pen

name Christophrenic. I also

passed my driving test over

three years ago and I regularly

drive on short journeys.

Without medication I’d never

have achieved any of this. I’d

be in a psychotic hell, that had

previously made me starve

myself of food and drink for

several days at a time, stop

washing for weeks, drag

knives across my stomach,

walk miles around the streets

crying, wet myself, and on one

occasion I smashed a bottle

over my own head.

Those are some of the things

I did when I first became ill

before I took medication. And

it makes me gratefully aware

of the difference medication

makes. It’s the difference

between heaven and hell.

Even though I’m on

medication, I do still suffer and

experience mental oppression

MEDICATION


and feel anxious and tense a

lot. But there are other times

that I feel so blissfully at peace,

that I feel like I’m floating round

in heaven. And every day I

experience moments of beauty,

joy, warmth and laughter, and

its thanks to the medication

that I can feel these things.

But without medication I’d be

extremely ill.

I feel its time for people to stop

complaining about medication

and its time to praise the people

who create it and feel some

gratitude.

HEALING WATERSTheir new email address is: [email protected] and visit their new website: wwwhealingwaterscroydon.org.uk/

Activities include;• BME Mens Support Group• Phototherapy Group• BME Hearing Voices Group• Cinema Group• Social Group• BME Carers Support Group

Most activities are based at The BMEForum 387 London Rd Croydon CRO 4BEFor more information call Horace or Marjorie on 0208 668 2419

A huge thank you to Paul for this refreshingly upbeat and enlightening account of ‘life on medication’

BME GROUPS


HeroesPeoplethinkheroeswearcapesandcanfly

Leapthirtyfloorbuildingsreachuptothesky

But there are other heroes there are ones that are real

Whose strength is not in their biceps but in the love that

they feel

They reach out to others when they themselves are in

pain

And pick themselves up when life kicks them down

again and again

In dark times they can still share a laugh and a smile

Andhelpeachotherwalkthatextramile

They have the courage to admit when everything is a

mess

Andfindnewpositivecreativewaysfordealingwith

stress

This beautiful poem was written by Caroline (Hear Us member) whilst a patient on a

psychiatric unit

POETRY


SMILE FOR HEALTH

Improve patient

experience?

Increase social

inclusion?

Promote mental

well-being?

Got an

Idea?

South London and Maudsley (SLaM)’s Council of Governors launched their fifth Bids Scheme on 8 April 2014.The Smile for Health Bids Scheme is aimed at anybody who has an idea or project which would benefit at least three service users, but needs some funding (between £50 and £750) to get it off the ground.

To submit a bid you must be a member of SLaM. Membership is free and open to anybody who is 16 or over and lives in England.You can become a member by the following methods:Online: go to www.members.slam.nhs.uk Telephone: Ask for a membership form 0203 228 2441

Deadline for Applications is July

4th 2014

South London and MaudsleyNHS Foundation Trust

Contact Carol Stevenson on:Tel 0203 228 2441 or Email: [email protected]

Got a Question?

What is ‘Smile for Health’?

Who can apply?

Orchard House15 A Purley RoadSouth CroydonCR2 6EZ

020 8681 6888

@ [email protected]

TAMWORTH ROAD

020 3228 0300 or 0301 or 0302

CRESCENT 020 3228 4488PURLEY 020 3228 5400 QUEENS 020 3228 5800

NHS 111 111

BETHLEM 020 3228 6000

Croydon Doctors on Call

0845 603 8517

Emergency Dental Care (Croydent)

0845 000 4567

Social Services 020 8726 6000

Edridge Road (NHS Walk in Centre)

020 3040 0800

Croydon Pharmacy (open til late 365 days)

020 8688 4444

HelpwithWelfareBenefits:Mind (tues 10-1 and Thur 2-5pm)

020 8 763 2037

Croydon Welfare Hotline

0800731 5920

OUT OF HOURS IN CRISIS:

EMERGENCY 999

SLaM SUPPORT LINE

0800 731 2864

CROYDON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

020 8401 3000

SAMARITANS 08457 909090

ADVOCACY

Mind in Croydon

020 8763 6730

Documents

Hear Us Summer Newsletter 2014