Army reservist Helen is enjoying the best of both worlds. Find out why.
Enjoy a taste of India with Divya’s Kerala fish stew.
John O’Neill almost gave up his beloved sport at 29. Two decades later he’s a champion.
MC magazine team:
Managing Editor: Steve Murphy.
Editor: Jackie Rankin.
Contributors: Jo Henwood, Ian Valentine, Emma Wilson.
Editorial: Julie Crompton, Joanne Cunningham, Ellie Walsh.
Photography: Freepik.com, Joel Goodman.
Design: Jo Hadfield.
Cover: Rock star Chrissie Hynde is still wowing festival crowds at 72. Read more on page 18. ©BBC
Help your child overcome their worries.
You can contact us at: communications@merseycare.nhs.uk
MerseyCareNHSFoundationTrust
@Mersey_Care
@MerseyCareNHSFT
The GDPR is the General Data Protection Regulation, a European-wide law, which governs how organisations can collect, use and transfer personal data. It came into force on 25 May 2018 alongside the new Data Protection Act 2018. As a Foundation Trust, Mersey Care has a statutory requirement to develop and maintain a membership and it is necessary for us to process our members’ personal data to perform this task. Our members are drawn from the public, people who use our services or care for people who use our services and staff. We request and securely hold data on our members, which they provide when joining our membership. The data we hold on our members enables us to show that we are representative of the community we provide services for, to keep members updated through our quarterly MC magazine via email or post and to invite all members to the Annual General Meeting. We also engage with all members advising when the election for governors will be taking place, giving members the opportunity to nominate themselves to become a governor and to vote in elections for the council of governors. Should you no longer wish to be a member of Mersey Care please email ft.membership@merseycare.nhs.uk with your details or call 0151 471 2303 asking that your details be removed.
Are you excited for autumn, with the prospect of closing the curtains, hunkering down with a fire, candles, and cozy blankets? Or do you hold on to summer till the very last? Change, whether it be from season to season, or in our lives, can be daunting. Yet what comes next is often better.
We talk to people who have been through challenges, yet were enriched by the experience. We meet Jess, who has discovered friends come in all shapes and sizes (page 8).
As the NHS celebrates its 75th birthday, we go all out to spotlight those who enrich the lives of others. We talk to the prison counsellor transforming the lives of the men she supports. And Maura (page 4), who helps primary pupils make the giant leap to high school –with a little help from the worry monster!
There’s no life without good mental health says a leading academic. You have the chance to shape future mental health care by becoming a researcher in a £10 million project set in Liverpool. Find out how to get involved (page 21).
A new survey on ageing says 60 is the new 40, with most of us putting off old age until our 80s. An expert shares his thoughts on why being young at heart really can help you live longer (page 20).
Embrace autumn, enjoy this issue. The MC Magazine Team.
Being young at heart really can help you live longer.
New subjects, new teachers and new friends can all be a challenge for children moving up to high school this autumn. Jo Henwood asked an expert how you can help.
While some children will relish the new independence and freedom high school brings, others may be overwhelmed by the change.
Maura Dorrian, an educational mental health practitioner with Mersey Care (below right), helps children normalise their worries and anxieties about this big change in their lives. She knows only too well how they may be feeling. “I can remember going to high school myself and it was scary but also exciting.”
Maura’s never without her collection of dinosaurs, cavemen and monsters, to help children understand the ‘fight, flight, freeze’ response we all feel at times.
As part of the mental health support team in schools, she gives children a chance to talk about their concerns and understand their body’s responses to anxiety.
“I ask if anyone has a dog and if it barks when the postman comes to the door. We all agree that the person delivering our letters is not a threat, but I explain that the dog is barking because it perceives them to be one –it’s just a natural response.”
If a child’s anxieties cannot be relieved this way, they may need one to one support or specialist services.
Maura stresses the importance of tackling the issue beforehand.
“If a child really doesn’t settle at secondary school they won’t want to go and that can lead to poor attendance.”
She says anxieties can be managed by setting goals.
“It’s important to help the child separate worries into a ‘problem’ worry and a ‘what if’ worry. They may worry about forgetting their homework, but if they’ve never forgotten their homework previously, explain how although the worry is making them anxious, it hasn’t happened.
“If they have forgotten their homework in the past, then it’s time to find strategies that will help them remember it, finding the best solutions for the child.”
Children’s anxiety can come from overthinking an issue, says Maura.
The Children’s Society
Good Children report says happiness at school is associated with being listened to.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside specialist mental health support teams are educating school staff to better understand their pupils’ emotional needs. More than 4,000 children have been supported and
She suggests encouraging a child to feed what she calls the worry monster.
Maura’s tips to help your child cope with change:
Tell your child how you felt when you were their age.
“Sometimes just writing down the worry and feeding it to the ‘monster’ can bring instant relief.”
Children have worried almost since Maura’s dinosaurs were roaming the earth, but with help, they can beat their worry bully and take their next step with confidence.
Children are less happy today, says a report on children’s emotional wellbeing.
the trailblazing programme has since been rolled out across the UK.
The focus is firmly on the child and their families, parents and carers, as well as school staff. If a pupil needs extra help, they are referred by the team to the best service for that child.
Toni Alcock (pictured far left) is clinical manager for the team in Warrington, Cheshire, where the service was first introduced.
“Training teachers to identify and support children who need help is a large part of our whole school approach. Our sessions with pupils give them an understanding of good mental health. We might talk about dealing with exam stress or explain about having positive self esteem.”
“The important thing is listening to children, to allow their voices to be heard and help them get the right support at school and at home, to stay mentally and physically well.”
Box breath – in counts of four, breathe in, hold, breathe out and hold again. With smaller children try Bee Breathing – breathe in as if you are smelling a flower and then breathe out slowly making a buzzing noise.
Encourage your child to become more aware of their senses. Ask them to name five things they can see, four things they can hear, three things they can touch, two things they can smell and one thing they can taste.
Set aside time in the day for Worry Time – a good time is just after they get home from school.
If your child’s anxiety is leading to disruptive behaviour, focus more attention on the good things they do.
TED Talk – how to raise kids who can overcome anxiety.
NHS survival guide to change for young people: nhs.uk
Fight Flight Freeze – A Guide to Anxiety for Kids (YouTube).
Helping your Child with Fears and Worries by Cathy Creswell and Lucy Willetts.
Anxieties can be managed by setting goals.
John O’Neill has just won a bronze medal at the World Karate Championships in Dundee – a feat to be proud of, but even more incredible at 52.
John was going for gold in the over 40s category – “until I came up against a 6’ 5” guy who was impossible to beat.”
Not bad for the man who at 29 was on the point of quitting his beloved sport. “My legs were giving up”, he recalls. “I only carried on to support my sons – but then I didn’t stop!”
In his professional role John trains Mersey Care staff how to compassionately support people who may be experiencing acute distress, without the use of physical restraint.
The bronze is his second medal in two years. In 2022 John won gold and became British over 40s champion, a success he describes as ‘an accident’. “I entered to support my students who were taking part, never expecting to win!”
With true fighting spirit and energy, John has no plans to pack up his belt. He trains youngsters, loves the camaraderie among team mates and says he’s made friends for life.
A big draw is the discipline the sport instils.
“There is aggression, but the challenge is to control it. The etiquette I’ve learned from karate helps me in the rest of my life.”
Are we really as old as we feel? We ask an expert. p20
Design engineer Ken was at the top of his career working all over the world when he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
I was in my early 40s and the kids were young. I’d worked in Dubai designing gas systems for international projects. But the pain became so bad I could hardly drive. Medication only treated the symptoms.”
Ken’s superpower was his determination not to give in. He dramatically changed his lifestyle and is still sticking to his plan more than 30 years later.
“I had the frame of mind, even at my worst point, that I’d never give in. I started eating a breakfast of cereal, fruit, and yoghurt, with a light lunch of soup, lots of fish and pasta in the evening – and regular bedtimes to get as much sleep as I could.
I’ve never wavered. I start each day with a walk along a set route with a slight hill. That covers my 10,000 steps. When I don’t exercise, I don’t like the way I feel. I still wake up in pain with swollen joints, but I tell myself ‘I’m going to work through this.’
I’d tell anyone not to think ‘this is it’ –have faith in yourself, get help from the people around you – my wife has been brilliant – and stay positive.”
The etiquette I’ve learned from karate helps me in the rest of my life.
Tales abound of dogs who rescue their owners in many ways. BBC’s My Life Saving Dog tells poignant stories of dogs who detect illness, raise the alarm in an emergency – and who keep people alive just by being there.
In a survey of 5,000 British households* two thirds described their dog as a ‘four-legged therapist’. Almost half said having to care for someone other than themselves improved their mental wellbeing.
Jess Gray and her chihuahua have been inseparable since Jess collected Elmo as a puppy in 2021. She’d been diagnosed with cancer at 34 and had undergone a gruelling programme of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and extensive surgery. Ten days after her treatment ended, the COVID -19 pandemic began.
As an emotional support animal Elmo is allowed to go to work with Jess, who is part of Mersey Care and Informatics RiO Development Team. He’s proving popular with colleagues.
TV psychologist Emma Kenny says the report mirrors what she sees in real life.
“I’m finding that many people are currently looking to their dogs as therapeutic companions, a silent member of the household who can always be relied upon to listen, without the fear of judgement, and who can also bring some fun and laughter into our lives.”
“I was terrified. Cancer is a word that you never want to hear. I have a supportive family and great friends, but the treatment makes you feel powerless because you are so ill, and you feel so vulnerable.”
On advice from her counsellor Jess decided to get a dog. Elmo was being sold by his previous owners who were moving and unable to take him.
“They say dogs choose you and I just knew. He jumped up into my arms, lay on his back, and looked up at me. It was a powerful moment.”
Jess is still anxious, but Elmo soothes her fears. “He’s this tiny soul who gives unconditional love. He doesn’t see the scars; he just loves me as I am. My anxiety can be paralysing, but then I think ‘come on, the dog needs walking’. I can become very teary thinking about the past, but he gives me a reason to keep going.”
“People come over to talk about their dogs; some stop by just to see Elmo. It makes me feel less alone too – he’s therapy for us all.”
Elmo has made Jess think in a new way. “Dogs are always mindful, they’re always in the moment. He makes me think the same way – the past is gone, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, now is all we have.”
*Dog Difference Report was compiled in 2020 by tail. com, working with charity partners StreetVet and Dogs for Good.
Pets As Therapy: petsastherapy.org
Therapy Dogs Nationwide: tdn.org.uk
BBC My Life Saving Dog series 7: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/ m001nx54/our-lives-series-7-my-lifesaving-dog
Many people look to their dogs as therapeutic companions.
They say dogs choose you, I just knew.
A wagging tail, a paw on your lap, a look from soulful eyes – a dog can make us feel good even on the darkest days. Can they save lives? We look at the evidence and talk to a woman whose dog is her lifeline.Jess at work with Elmo.
People come over to talk –he’s therapy for us all.
“I realised from my previous work with victims of crime that there was a massive hole – not enough is done to change the way the perpetrator thinks.
“Most of the men I work with have experienced terrible trauma themselves. They’re good people who’ve made wrong decisions in the past. If they leave prison with a different way of thinking, then we’re protecting the public.
“The prison mental health nurses are really good at recognising when someone needs my help. Not everyone is ready, or willing, but the men I work with have asked for my support.
“It’s challenging. These are grown men, yet they’ve never opened up to anyone in their lives. They’ve suppressed their emotions for so long that when they get a chance to tell someone they often cry with relief.
“I’m tough though, I challenge them to imagine how what they’ve done has affected others, but I reassure them and give them hope. I tell them we’ll have trips and falls along the way, but we’ll get there, and they’ll leave here in a better place.
“I’ve discovered my nickname is Nanny McPhee. At first, I thought it was an insult, but it’s based on a quote from the film.
Nanny McPhee tells the children: ‘When
you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go.’ I can’t fix everybody, but I’ve not failed yet.”
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
MARCUS AURELIUS.
“Lynn doesn’t realise what she’s done for me. I’ve spent 28 years battling with my thoughts, I’m not fully through this, but I know now how to be happy.
I first went to prison when I was 25. I was charged with minor drug offences and eventually found not guilty; but while I was waiting to go to court, I had a traumatic experience in prison that left me mentally scarred. I turned to cocaine and alcohol to mask my pain.
I had my own business, got married and had a family. I had everything I needed, but I didn’t know how to be happy. I couldn’t tell anyone about my experience. I felt I had two lives – I was two people.
My drug use took me back to prison. I had endless counsellors before I came here but I never felt comfortable sharing my feelings. I felt worthless and dirty.
Lynn came into the prison CD shop where I was working and introduced herself. It took a while, I thought ‘I’ve heard this before’, but she didn’t rush things.
She won’t say something just to make me feel better, but she listens to my stories and turns them into positives. She knew what was in my head – I’d think ‘how can she know that?’
It’s been a year since we started our sessions and I’m now enjoying being a mentor on my wing and leaving prison at the end of the year.
I phone my father every day, he’s 80 and he worries. He says he can tell the difference in me from my voice. If I’m honest I feel
excited about leaving, but anxious too. Lynn’s says not to worry, she’ll make sure I’m ready. I trust her.”
She listens to my stories and turns them into positives.
Mersey Care is a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, which recognises those who have performed military duty for their country and demonstrates their valuable contribution. The Trust has been awarded Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme as a supportive, forces friendly employer.
Associate director for carer engagement
Ann Hanlon said: “We have an inspirational
team of people who champion and support veterans and recognise the many transferable skills, training and experience they richly bring to our Trust. We’re delighted to receive the Gold Award, but our work has only just begun.”
To get involved please contact ann.hanlon@merseycare.nhs.uk or faye.williams@merseycare.nhs.uk.
For more information visit: merseycare.nhs.uk
The Army’s ‘Op Boss Drop’ programme lets reservists show their employers the skills they learn on training camps.
Helen’s manager John Thompson spent three days observing how the training might be used for her role at Ashworth Hospital’s patient possessions team. For Helen it was a chance to showcase the Trust as a supportive employer.
“I invited John to showcase Mersey Care’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which commits an employer to support veterans and be an attractive place to work for anyone from the military services.
“In previous jobs I’d not had a holiday in years because I had to use my holiday entitlement for Army training. At Mersey Care they recognise that I’m working. I’m given time on top of my annual leave towards mandatory training, and I use my own holidays to do extra sessions.
Continued on page 14.
When army reservist Helen Robertshaw embarked on a summer training operation in Croatia, she didn’t have to worry about telling her boss – he went along too!
At Mersey Care they recognise that I’m working. I’m given time on top of my annual leave towards mandatory training.
Continued from page 13.
“The Army Reserves is like a family and Mersey Care is trying to replicate that by having a network for people with similar life experiences.”
Helen followed the Croatia exercise with a mountaineering expedition to Iceland.
“When I get opportunities to develop new skills, it’s fantastic to know the Trust will support me. The Army plans to increase numbers of reservists, so in future people will want to work for an employer who will accommodate that. Once you’ve had that you won’t want to leave.”
Why did she join the Reserves? “I wanted to join the Army, but life took over and I didn’t want to move away from friends and family. I was working in a supermarket opposite my reserve squadron. I’d chat to people and thought it seemed like a great balance, staying near friends and family but getting to do all these amazing things.
It impacts every bit of your life, all the amazing things I’ve done in my life have in some way come from the Army. It even got me my job; my skills in logistics were what they were looking for. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about working for Mersey Care, visit: merseycare.nhs.uk/working-us
Helen with her manager John Thompson.
Solomon Gwatidzo is a national award winning forensic community nurse. He talks openly to Rachel Robinson about what Black History Month means to him.
Solomon Gwatidzo recalls the day his teenage son’s teacher called with news he dreaded.
“He said, ‘Your son has experienced a racist incident from another pupil’. I was so sad. What had happened to me throughout my life was happening to my son. Then I discovered it had been reported not by him, but by his white friend. When I asked my son why he hadn’t told anyone, he said: ‘I didn’t want to make a fuss’.
“That’s one story, but there are so many others. I feel Black History Month is a time to bring these stories together in one platform so people can see, and maybe say ‘hang on, this is just not one isolated incident’.
“Sometimes we don’t tell our stories because of the repercussions. We worry about being ostracised for pointing it out and we don’t want the people around us to be walking on eggshells either – but that doesn’t mean racism’s not happening.
“We have made significant strides. Premiership footballers taking the knee because of the murder of George Floyd has brought racism into the public eye. More people are listening, feeling more comfortable about having conversations. Young people are better at calling out racism. But none of that is enough, because we’re still talking about it and it’s still happening.”
For Solomon, it’s small things that symbolise there’s still a way to go. “I get frustrated when people shorten someone’s name, or create a nickname, just because it’s difficult to pronounce.
“My youngest son asked if we could shorten his name because his teacher couldn’t pronounce his full name. I said ‘No, that’s your name, I’m not changing your name’. It might seem a minor thing, but it can feel demeaning. If sports commentators can try to say names of players, then so should we.
“Being overlooked during conversations or debates where you have expertise or knowledge can have the same impact on someone. You feel bypassed – and it happens a lot.”
NHS staff networks and peer mentoring programmes are a great support says Solomon, but only if staff are given dedicated time to be involved and concerns acted upon.
Real change, he feels, can only come from the top. “In 2020 a quarter of NHS workers were from minority backgrounds, yet the percentage of people within positions of influence, at board or corporate level, which can change perceptions, is disproportionate.”
Walking in someone’s shoes is the only way to fully appreciate the impact of racist words or actions, says Solomon. “My white counterpart can tell the tale about something that they’ve seen. I can tell it from first hand experience.”
His resilience has often seen him through tough times. He recalls during his early days, being racially abused by a patient who refused him as their named nurse because of his colour.
“My colleagues tried to protect me by asking if I wanted to stop being his named nurse, but I thought ‘The same thing could happen with someone else? Am I going to do this every time I’m racially abused’? I continued being his named nurse and after a while we really got along well together.”
His biggest wish for this year’s Black History Month?
“It’s especially important to have coaches and mentors in place for people being brought into the UK and the NHS from different backgrounds, from different countries, to a society that’s alien to them.”
“Locally, we need to go into areas where black people live, look at their perceptions of us as an employer, and help them overcome the challenges they might have in order to work for Mersey Care.”
“I wish for anyone who reads this to feel empowered to speak out against prejudice or injustice and reach out for help. At present I’ve got supportive colleagues; I feel included now. But I think I speak on behalf of many black people when I say, ‘don’t see my colour…see me.”
Sometimes we don’t tell our stories because of the repercussions. We worry about being ostracised for pointing it out and we don’t want the people around us to be walking on eggshells either –but that doesn’t mean racism’s not happening.
I wish for anyone who reads this to feel empowered to speak out against prejudice or injustice and reach out for help.
I came to England from Zimbabwe in 2001 to visit friends. I was in my early 20s with no ties and I wanted to see what life was like here. Lo and behold I stayed, trained as a mental health nurse, married, and had three sons!
My parents weren’t happy at my career decision. Historically in Zimbabwe, nursing was viewed as a women’s profession. But I knew mental health nursing was for me. We spend a lot of time talking to our patients –I like to talk!
I trained at Edge Hill University and came straight to work at Mersey Care, first in a hospital and then in the community.
My sons are now 10, 15 and 17. It’s hard, as a parent you still expect those family moments where you sit down and watch telly together, but more and more they’re doing their own thing.
My wife is a nurse too, in the neonatal intensive care unit at Liverpool Women’s Hospital; but none of my sons want to be nurses. My eldest wants to study music, my
second son plans to be a chef. I tell them they can do anything that they want to do, but I remind them they may have to work twice as hard to get to the same place as others.
I look to inspirational people in the world, like Barack Obama – he keeps talking about racism, keeps challenging perceptions and norms and structures. He’s not afraid to upset the apple cart. I want my sons to be able to walk into a room, a supermarket, a restaurant and not have to think that people may be looking at the colour of their skin.
To win my award was immense and quite emotional – I couldn’t stop smiling! I certainly didn’t go into nursing thinking ‘I want to be recognised for what I’m doing’, but to get that recognition as a black person is another story to be told.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about working for Mersey Care, visit:
To win my award was immense and quite emotional.
Are you feeling your age? Or are you still 21 in your head? It seems we don’t consider ourselves ‘old’ until past our mid 70s.
Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood (pictured) may be 75 but he’s just completed a European tour and released a new album.
Grandparents surveyed by leisure company Treasure Trails typically feel 13 years younger than their actual age. Some saying old age begins in our 80s, while others boast more vitality than their children and proclaim that 60 is the new 40.
Travel company TUI’s research, with 1,000 over 60s, shows almost all were enjoying a new lease of life. They cite bonding with grandkids, keeping fit and active and spending time with younger people.
Older music lovers have caught the festival bug – one out of three people aged over 50 now attend more music festivals than they did in their younger years.
Lisa Edgar, from the charity Saga, says enthusiasm for festivals is part of a wider trend of over 50s challenging perceptions around being older.
“There has been a societal shift... in attitudes to ageing. Saga research shows this generation are healthier, wealthier, and more focused on hedonism than they have been before. As soon as they are retired, they are doing a plethora of activities.”
Festival goers aren’t the only ones getting older; it’s the artists too.
Debby Harry, Cat Stevens, Elton John and our cover star Chrissie Hynde, were all in their 70s when they performed – and reportedly smashed it – at Glastonbury Festival in June.
Nile Rodgers, the 71 year old music dynamo behind disco super group Chic, told Rolling Stone that he puts more into a Chic show in his 70s than he did in his 30s, adding ‘I feel like I put 10 times more energy out there than I’ve ever done in my life’.
From relying on cash, to eating dairy and watching television here’s some things millennials – those born between 1980 and 1995 – think make you appear old:
• Using cash
• Getting bills by post
• Writing lists on paper
• Ringing for a taxi instead of using an app
• Watching actual TV
• Being on Facebook
• Reading books
• Wearing skinny jeans
• Using a satnav
• Eating dairy
Source: Poll by Love Energy Savings
• Page 20. An expert tells how to think yourself young.
There has been a societal shift in attitudes to ageing.According to market research over 60s in the North West are amongst the nation’s most ‘young at heart’.
If you do feel younger I’d say make the most of your situation.
It could be considered a type of denialism, but studies have shown a youthful mentality has only positive effects.
“A younger subjective age – the age you feel against your actual age – seems to correlate with better overall health, so people who feel younger might live longer and have better life satisfaction.
“It’s been quantified as well. MRI scans looking at the volume of the grey matter in the brain show those who feel younger also have a younger brain age.”
“Partly but not entirely. Our DNA is like a loaded gun, but whether the gun is fired or not depends on your lifestyle and your control. You might have genes that code for cancer or other kinds of life limiting chronic conditions, but they might never express themselves because you’ve looked after yourself.
“It’s quite empowering knowing that your genes don’t necessarily determine what happens to you – that you have a big say in how you age.”
“If you’re limited because of a physical disability or caring responsibilities for example, then you might not be able to be so active or adventurous. The positive thing is that even if you’ve had, say, a major stroke, there’s plenty of evidence to show that dramatic recovery is possible with sustained therapy and cognitive rehabilitation.
“Our brain is not fixed, it’s very receptive to the stimulation that we provide. A study of people with dementia who were trained for 90 days in juggling, showed increases in nerve volume in parts of the brain associated with memory and learning.
It shows that even if you’ve been diagnosed with dementia, to do these things can have a very positive effect; that no matter what the situation, you can push your brain into making more connections and being stimulated to being more active and keeping your mental state younger.”
It’s more challenging if you haven’t been active already; deeply entrenched perceptions of yourself can be harder to reverse – but still possible. It can be easy to get into negative patterns of thinking and self perception, where you think ‘I can’t do this, or ‘that isn’t for me’. Imposing limits on yourself can be damaging; by thinking it you don’t do it, and then it becomes reality.
“There’s a very intimate link between your mind and your body. Higher levels of consciousness, for example, can have dramatic effects on the state of your physical body and even things that may seem impossible can happen.
“The good news is that it’s never too late to get into good habits, so you enjoy a life full of quality.”
You have a big say how you age.
By Ian Valentine and Jackie Rankin
Steve O’Keeffe, mental health service user and researcher (below).
I’m not an academic but I understand how things work and that will help me as a researcher.
Mlersey Care and the University of Liverpool have teamed up to create the first ever Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC), where service users co-design the innovations they need and want, alongside health professionals, researchers, industry partners, and public advisers.
The Centre has been awarded £10.5 million of government funding to develop and evaluate new treatments and deliver innovative services. This will include trialling new drugs and new uses of existing drugs and researching digital therapies such as apps and artificial intelligence.
Globally renowned researchers from the Northwest will play a leading role in
groundbreaking research that could see Merseyside become the engine room of mental health innovation for the whole country.
People who use mental health services will have the chance to become researchers and co-design services for the future.
Professor Joe Rafferty CBE, Mersey Care’s Chief Executive, said: “I’m excited to announce the new mental health research centre. Our population experiences some of the highest rates of mental illness and associated physical health and social problems anywhere in the UK, but our region has historically received very little funding for mental health research.
to boost economic growth, reduce health inequalities, and address the associated £13bn per annum the UK economy loses in productivity to poor mental health.”
Find out more, visit the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre website: www.mric.uk
My nanna, who I adored and who was a typical Liverpool matriarch, left Liverpool when she was younger – back in the 50s – to live and work in Africa with my grandad. She was just a girl from the city, but her tales of her time in Africa, her courage and her spirit of adventure gave me the sense of what can be achieved with a readiness to take a leap of faith.
“This research is only what people like her deserve – something that is going to change lives. The experts are here, within our university and our clinics and wards, supported by our service users and carers.
“We’re creating an infrastructure. M-RIC’s funding isn’t for buildings and ‘things’, we’re harnessing the power of people to completely turn the tide.
“It will happen round the corner from where someone lives, close to their homes. In the way we use our phones to make a shopping list we could track symptoms; we could keep a diary of how we’re feeling that we can share with our doctor or nurse next time we’re in clinic. We have the funding we rightly deserve, to do things the way we know we can do it.”
“I’m most excited that we’re doing this with home grown talent” says M-RIC Programme Director Nicola Wilson.
“Investment in mental health research has huge potential
We’re using people to turn the tide.
Our region has historically received very little funding for mental health research.
Professor Joe RaffertyCBE, Mersey Care’s Chief Executive.
Professor Nusrat Husain thinks change can’t come soon enough.
The World Health Organisation believes that there is ‘no health without mental health’. In my experience, there is no life without mental health.
“We know half of disorders start before the age of 14 and three quarters by the age of 25. The fact that three quarters of children in the North West of England do not have proper access to care should give us great cause for concern.
“The good news is that everybody can contribute to improving the mental wellbeing of everybody else in society. This is a major step towards improving services for people in the UK who don’t currently receive adequate mental health care or make a full recovery.
“We are all exposed to the stresses we feel in our community,” says Professor Husain. “When people have one episode of mental disorder, they are more vulnerable to suffering another. If they come home
from hospital, back to the same street with the same poverty and crime rate, then the likelihood of another episode will increase.
“Too often, research is ringfenced in the so-called ‘golden triangle’ of London, Oxford, and Cambridge. M-RIC helps to turn that triangle into a circle that embraces the whole country.”
People who have personal experience of mental health issues such as service users, patients, carers, nurses, family members and the wider public – will be at the heart of the M-RIC programme.
Events and short films will provide vital first hand insight. A training programme for people with lived experiences will help them contribute to research and potentially become part of Mersey Care’s future workforce.
Professor Husain is clear: “We want to give a voice to people in our local communities who could benefit from our research so they can shape and inform our plans.”
• Professor Nusrat Husain’s research is in Global Mental Health and Cultural Psychiatry. His work in Pakistan, Canada, Brazil and Kenya not only has an impact in those countries but his understanding of working across cultures is proving very useful for the delivery of culturally sensitive care to the diverse population in the UK. He is a Senior Investigator for the National Institute for Health and Care Research and has been awarded the World Health Organisation Prize for the best Diplomat.
Everybody can contribute to improving the mental wellbeing of everybody else in society.
Mental health nurse Oladayo Bifarin is delighted that nurses will be involved in the research.
“I believe every nurse is a researcher. We assess patients, plan their care, implement interventions and monitor side effects, but it’s not always appreciated as research. This creates an unnecessary barrier to progress.
“I’d like to see nurses given the time, flexibility, and support to get involved. They could be advocates, help with screening or recruiting patients onto research projects, collect and interpret data.
“If we want to stop mental health nurses from leaving the profession, they should be made to feel valued as innovators. By rewarding their clinical curiosity, nurses will feel like they are making a difference beyond frontline care.”
Oladayo wants the research to fulfil what he sees as an urgent need to improve mental health care, so it can be better understood to support patients as well as staff.
He’s pleased M-RIC plans to learn from cultures like Pakistan’s, where there are ongoing research projects empowering communities to act and prevent someone getting into a crisis. “We all want the same thing – to be loved and respected.”
• Dr Oladayo Bifarin is a Clinical Academic at Mersey Care.
Steve O’Keeffe is a service user and volunteer researcher with Mersey Care’s Life Rooms research and analysis team, helping to assess mental health care in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Steve suffered a bout of depression following a stressful move from the South and the loneliness of lockdown.
Since joining Life Rooms he’s tried everything from box fit to tai chi and music appreciation.
‘I’m not an academic or a big reader, but I’m good at understanding how things work, he says. ‘Those transferable skills serve me well as a researcher.’
Don Bryant went from mental health service user to researcher 15 years ago.
“My depression made it difficult just to get up in the morning. Research gave me the stimulus I needed,” he explains. “I felt I was doing something useful –and once I had an interest I rapidly got better.”
“It’s not like a school exam, there’s no expectation to become an expert immediately. But it makes such a difference if you’ve experienced mental illness and care.”
Personal insights from people with lived experience of self harm and suicide is invaluable for research and vital to improve health and social care services, says mental health researcher and clinician Professor Navneet Kapur.
Preventing suicide and self harm means transforming the care we offer; that transformation just isn’t possible without involving service users. Survivors and carers who have lived through those experiences ensure we ask the right questions and use the right designs. Those insights are particularly critical for training staff – they are often more real and compelling than theories from professors like me!”
Professor Kapur, Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health at the University of Manchester and honorary consultant psychiatrist with Mersey Care, has seen his work on inpatient suicide prevention dramatically reduce numbers in recent years.
“We used to put the emphasis on predicting those people most at risk,” he explains. “The reality is you can’t pick that one person who’s sadly going to go on to die by suicide or to self harm. Having better care for every single person who comes through the doors will improve the whole system and offer individual care. This research can help us make those improvements. Inpatient care is a particular safety success story although obviously there is still a lot to do.”
He wants data and care records to be more easily accessible by those caring for someone, so the person doesn’t endure the trauma of having to retell their story again and again. And he’s frank about his expectations of how the research is used.
“Research needs to lead to stuff happening in practice – with real impact – rather than disappear in dusty journals that nobody reads. That means designing the studies from the outset to improve patient care.”
• Professor Navneet Kapur has spent the last 25 years researching suicidal behaviour, particularly its causes, treatment and prevention and has led committees for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) including those developing guidelines for how all clinical staff should help people after self harm. He is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group and helped shape the new Suicide Prevention Strategy for England.
As a long term service user, Michaela (left) is keen to offer her personal insights on mental health.
“I feel I have a lot to offer, I was in hospital for 12 years and my experiences were sometimes good, but not always.”
She’s a volunteer at the Kensington Vision community centre in Liverpool, which she describes as a lifesaver. “The people here are like my family. I love working in the café and being part of a community radio show.
“I’ve got the experience to help others. If I’d found the right support when I was 19, maybe I wouldn’t have gone through what I did. If I can make a difference to just one person’s life, then it would be absolutely worth it.”
Could you be a researcher?
All you need is an interest in mental health research, some time to spare, and a willingness to share your thoughts and experiences. Find out more by visiting the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre website – www.mric.uk
Simon Craske describes table tennis.
Aleague player himself, he believes the game’s universal appeal is down to cheap kit, simple rules and the therapeutic sound of bat hitting ball.
At Windsor House adult mental health inpatient unit staff are using the sport –with an outdoor concrete table funded by Mersey Cares charity – to help people with enduring mental health issues to socialise, get fit and learn a new skill.
Simon, (above left with opponent Theresa), has also witnessed patients concentrate and relax more. “It’s a great way to focus the mind. I remember a lady who couldn’t settle. I asked her if she’d played table tennis and challenged her to a game. She could really play; she had great hand eye coordination. We were still playing an hour later, and she said she felt much calmer.”
Simon recalls a patient who had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.
“He’d played table tennis in the past, so I challenged him to a game. He’d been struggling with his mobility but when he played, he was amazing – he was like a different person.”
Teresa, who often challenges him to a game or two, says it’s about much more than winning: “I like it that we don’t really play to any rules – it’s just good fun!”
By Jo HenwoodTable tennis is a great way to focus the mind.
In Liverpool, there are facilities at the following places:
Croxteth Hall and Country Park
Close to the playground, Croxteth Hall Lane, Liverpool, L12 OHB
Princes Park
Next to the tennis courts, Ullet Road, Liverpool, L8 3TD
Sefton Park
Next to the children’s playground and tennis courts, two mins from the café, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool, L17 1AP
Would you help raise more funds to help Mersey Care help others?
The new Mersey Cares charity aims to: support people to recover from ill health; support carers; prevent suicides and reduce pressure on NHS staff.
This summer, staff rigged up to abseil Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. Funds raised will help deliver projects not normally available within NHS funding, like the table tennis table at Windsor House.
Will you support service users, carers, and staff by joining one of their organised charity events, taking up a challenge of your choice, or organising an event of your own.
For a fundraising pack and to find out more email charity@merseycare.nhs.uk
If you fancy playing table tennis outside visit tabletennisengland.co.uk/table-finder
Newsham Park
Fifty yards from the café, Newsham Park, Gardner’s Drive, Liverpool, L6 7UN
Stanley Park
Near the children’s playground, Walton Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside L4 2SL
Calderstones Park
Between the playground and the balance/climbing equipment, Calderstones Park, Calderstones Road, Liverpool, L18 3JD
SERVES 4
“I always enjoyed the tasty variety of dishes that my mom made”, says nurse Divya Mary Jacob. “Five years of hostel life made me realise even more the value and the richness of homemade food. My mother in law was an expert cook too, I’ve learnt a lot under her guidance. Now when I cook for my family, my little son will wink and say ‘super’! My Kerala style fish curry is a slow cook dish but the flavours are worth the wait.”
500g tuna fish chunks
15g Kumkum star
4 tbsps coconut oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
¼ tsp fenugreek
2” long piece ginger, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
10 shallots, sliced
3 sprigs of curry leaves
½ tsp turmeric powder
4 tbsps Kashmiri chilli power
2½ tsps salt (or according to taste).
• Wash Kumkum star and soak in 400mls water
• Add salt, mix well and allow to soak for 15 to 20 minutes
• Heat coconut oil in a pan (or clay pot for cooking)
• When hot, add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds
• After the seeds stop spluttering, set the heat to medium
• Add ginger and garlic, then sauté for 30 seconds
• Add shallots and stir intermittently till they turn golden then reduce heat
• Add turmeric powder, Kashmiri chilli powder then stir quickly for five seconds (this will enhance the colour and keep the heat low)
• Add the soaked Kumkum star along with the water
• Turn up the heat and bring to boil then add tuna chunks
• Spread the fish pieces so they sink into the sauce
This always tastes even better if left for six hours.
• Sprinkle curry leaves, close the lid and cook on a medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
Struggling to sleep can make a good night’s rest feel like a distant dream.
While a few sleepless nights are not cause for concern more regular lack of sleep can become an issue, especially if it is affecting your daily life.
Dr Christina Fitzgerald, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and clinical lead for Talking Therapies explains: “We take sleep as a given, but it’s vital for our body to function. As we sleep, a growth hormone is released that repairs our body. If you’ve been deprived of sleep you may become irritable, or you might find it difficult to concentrate and make decisions.”
Lying awake, tossing and turning, counting the hours till morning is frustrating and exhausting. Dr. Fitzgerald says don’t do it.
“If you really can’t sleep, get up and read a book, watch something relaxing on television, or listen to sleep music.”
“Having stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol or nicotine before bed can stop you sleeping. Try opting for a milky drink or water” she says.
Your sleep environment can make a difference to sleeping soundly, she says. “A comfy bed is essential for good sleep”, says Dr Fitzgerald. “Keep your bedroom cool – a slight drop in body temperature can help you feel drowsy. Having heavier curtains that block out light should also help.”
What you do – and don’t do – in bed can be crucial to a good night’s sleep. Dr Fitzgerald says getting into a healthy bedtime routine and changing your habits may take time.
“It can be easy to get into the habit of working, eating, or watching TV in bed. Your bed is for sleep and sleep is for bed – protect your room as a place where you relax and sleep.”
Having a regular bedtime can help keep our sleep time in line with our body’s needs.
By Emma Wilson“Our bodies have an inbuilt circadian clock. We produce a substance called melatonin, which is released around 9.30pm to tell our body it’s time to sleep. We continue to produce melatonin throughout the night, and it stops at 7.30am to wake us. If we go to sleep at the same time, we stay in line with our body clock.”
Not really says Dr Fitzgerald. “If we are topping up our sleep bucket during the day this may have an impact on a good night’s sleep. If you’re flagging, keep yourself engaged and active. Go outside, take a walk, do an activity.”
Anxiety, depression and worries may affect how well you sleep, says Dr Fitzgerald.
“If your mind is full of worries and it’s difficult to put them aside to sleep, it becomes harder to tackle your issues and recover. If this is the case, you may need some extra help.”
Mersey Care’s Talking Therapies services can support you to manage your worries in their wellbeing courses.
www.merseycare.nhs.uk/talking-therapies
Sleep scientist Matt Walker (above) pulls no punches about the importance of sleep – and the dire consequences of sleep deprivation, from failing exams to heart attacks.
Autumn daylight saving – turning back the hour on your clock –can have catastrophic effects if we don’t make up our lost sleep.
Says Walker: “When we lose one hour of sleep, we see a 24 per cent increase of heart attacks the following day; when we gain one hour of sleep, we see a 21 per cent reduction of heart attacks”.
Sleep is Mother Nature’s best effort yet at immortality”, says Liverpool born Walker.
How you sleep affects your memory and learning. In one study, people who had enjoyed a full night’s sleep had a 40 per cent advantage on those who had no sleep.
“This is the difference between a child acing their exam and failing”, he warns.
The impact of poor sleep starts to show in later years. “As we get older our learning and memory abilities begin to fade and decline… your sleep gets worse, especially your deep quality of sleep… it suggests the disruption of deep sleep is an underlying factor relating to cognitive decline.”
There is some good news. “Unlike many of the other facts associated with ageing, we may be able to do something about sleep”, says Walker, who is currently looking at the power of sleep in retaining memory and learning in people with dementia.
We produce ‘natural killer cells’, a type of white blood cell, that identify and destroy cancerous cells, explains Walker. Studies show a 70 per cent reduction in natural killer cell activity when participants were limited to only four hours of sleep for one night.
• 12 percent of people dream in black and white
• You forget half your dreams within five minutes of waking up
• We spend a third of our life sleeping
• The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days
• See more sleep facts at: 22 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Sleep – The Sleep Matters Club (dreams.co.uk)
Matt Walker’s best advice is to stay up till you’re tired. “You’d never sit at the dinner table waiting to get hungry, so why would you lie in bed waiting to get sleepy?”
@sleepdiplomat
@drmattwalker
The Matt Walker Podcast (sleepdiplomat.com)
On average, healthy adults need six to eight hours of sleep a night. Young children need around 12 hours and teenagers need around 10 hours.
It’s not just length, but quality, that gives us a good night’s sleep. Read more about sleep here www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/ mental-health-issues/sleep
People who had enjoyed a full night’s sleep had a 40 per cent advantage on those who had no sleep.
As autumn sets in and Halloween approaches, many of us eagerly anticipate the thrill of spooky delights. Last year, we Brits spent more than £400 million on Halloween, and this year’s outlay is expected to surpass that. So why do we willingly immerse ourselves in eerie tales, fright nights, and spine tingling movies?
One school of thought suggests that embracing Halloween thrills can actually alleviate stress. Dr Michele Nealon, President of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, says that experiencing controlled scares in a safe environment can trigger the release of positive hormones. She says that rush of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine we experience during spooky activities can translate into feelings of euphoria, and empowerment once the fear subsides, giving us a sense of relief and wellbeing.
And according to British scientist and writer, Katharine Lang, certain types of fear may not only be enjoyable but also beneficial for us. Short term fear, she writes, experienced during Halloween thrills, can allow people to practise controlling their body’s fear response within a secure space, potentially offering psychological and health benefits.
Others support the idea that Halloween can be more of a treat than a trick. They say:
THE THRILL OF ADRENALINE:
Some of us can crave the adrenaline rush triggered by a controlled scare. Though safe, our bodies can react as if facing a real threat, creating an exhilarating experience.
CONQUERING FEAR:
By confronting frightful encounters, we may triumph over our fears in a controlled environment, and this can boost our self confidence and resilience in everyday life.
STRENGTHENING BONDS:
Shared scares with friends and family release oxytocin, fostering emotional connections and a sense of togetherness.
ESCAPING THE MUNDANE:
Halloween’s spooky escapism may offer a refreshing break from daily routines that can encourage new forms of self discovery.
CATHARSIS AND STRESS RELIEF:
Confronting fear may allow for tension release that could lead to feelings of contentment as worries fade away.
TESTING LIMITS:
Scary experiences can sometimes challenge our imagination and emotional boundaries, leading to personal growth and self understanding.
Confronting fear can boost confidence.
According to a recent survey Halloween can be a source of anxiety for young children. Approximately 68 per cent of parents admitted that their little kids are frightened by Halloween, with spooky masks (51 per cent), creepy monsters (48 per cent), and scary decorations (44 per cent) being the primary culprits.
So it may be good to know that some Christian churches are offering an alternative approach to the traditional spooky celebrations by organising “light parties” that incorporate games, fancy dress, and party food to present a more upbeat and positive atmosphere.
“Light parties” aim to attract non churchgoers, especially children, and provide a safer and more controlled environment than traditional trick or treating. Some churches use Halloween as an opportunity to promote All Saints’ and All Souls’ days, helping children come to terms with death and overcome their fears in a constructive manner.
Over the years supermarkets and Halloween event organisers have come under fire for offering Halloween costumes and attractions that mock people dealing with mental health issues or illness. Politician Norman Lamb has spoken out, “Everyone should be able to enjoy Halloween but I urge all retailers to behave more responsibly –don’t demonise mental illness.”
And the Zero Suicide Alliance have worked with leading UK events organisation Corporate Entertainment Professionals (CEP) to tackle the potentially lethal effect of stigmatising language in addressing mental health issues.
zerosuicidealliance.com
Embracing Halloween thrills can actually alleviate stress.
Ididn’t truly know I was trans until a few years ago. I was a quirky kid who preferred dolls and dressing up to boys’ toys – and I had zero interest in sports.
The clues were always there. At 14 I read a book by Caroline Cossey called ‘My Story’ – she was a Bond actress and model who had been ‘outed’ by the media – she went through hell, and I felt that quite deeply.
This and other experiences over the years were dead giveaways that I was trans, yet I couldn’t see it. I only fully realised at 48.
I came out and never looked back, but it hasn’t been easy. Telling my mum was tough. She’s 84 and has a wicked sense of humour. I knew I was loved, but it was like dropping a bombshell. I said, ‘Remember that book I told you about with the Bond girl – well that’s me’.
“There was a pause, then she smiled and said: ‘We always thought you were eccentric.’ We talked about my childhood, how I loved the dressing up box, and how I was often
mistaken for a girl – it helped me make sense of things.”
I’m a massive Doctor Who nerd. I tell people I’ve regenerated – you’re the same person at the core, but with different personality traits.
People ask why I describe myself as a trans woman. Going through so many challenges is like climbing a mountain. When you get there, you want acknowledgement for what you’ve achieved. I’m also a stickler for making it two words – transwoman sounds like a superhero!
I live with my pets, Daniel the gerbil, Tobias the rat and my rescue dog Little Elsie – she’s 15 and fit as a flea! I’m truly passionate about animals and those three mean more to me than life itself.
The level of support I’ve had from Mersey Care is incredible. I don’t have a single example of being disrespected for being transgender. At times, people have called me ‘he’ in error.
I’m still waiting for voice therapy so I understand how that could happen. If someone acknowledges it, or just says sorry, rather than pretending it hasn’t happened, then I’ve no issues.
The LGBT network has been there for me and I’ve been able to support other trans people within the Trust with advice and gender services. I don’t know all the answers, but I find out – we should all look after each other.
Nikki Baxter is a Senior Nurse Practitioner with Halton Later Life And Memory Service.
• Watch Nikki’s video at: www.merseycare.nhs.uk Go to the Working for Us section and look under Staff Networks.
If you’re interested in finding out more about working for Mersey Care, visit: merseycare.nhs.uk/working-us
Nurse Nikki Baxter talks to Jackie Rankin about life as a trans woman, Bond girls and why she’s no superhero.
Having radical neck surgery was traumatic, but my future was cemented by a male nurse looking after me. He’d always take time to explain things and would make jokes – he treated me like a normal young lad. I thought ‘one day I’m going to be like you’.
That was 30 years ago. I’m now a qualified nurse and part of the outpatient team at Clatterbridge Hospital in Aintree. I’ve come full circle – now it’s me who’s giving people empathy and hope.
I was 17 when I was told a small mole on my forehead was advanced cancer. It devastated my family when a doctor told them I had just a year to live.
I’ve raised more than £200,000 for charity and organise a weekly community walk which has attracted more than 500 people.
At 47 I’m enjoying time with family and friends, playing pool, or having a round of crazy golf in my back garden, which I built myself – wheelbarrowing 11 tonnes of sand from front to back garden!
I’ve had experience as a governor in other parts of the NHS. As a nurse I’m a true believer in good quality care, listening to each other and to patients.
Mersey Care is expanding, and from what I’ve seen I’m impressed, but we should never lose sight of our vision and why we’re here. I want to make sure our services are doing what they should.”
• Paul is a member of Melanoma Mates, a Facebook support group to support people through their cancer journey.
Our 2024 elections will begin soon to fill eleven seats on the Council of Governors. If you would like to find out what a governor role involves this information can be found on our website: merseycare.nhs.uk/council-of-governors
