Re mind 4 by North Staffs Mind

Re Mind Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

Issue 4, July 2016 For comments and queries please email the editor at winstonpreece@nsmind.org.uk Illustrations courtesy of Anna Luna Cappe

The Work 16th May saw the launch of Mindzone’s G reen Ribbon Cam paign for Client Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). At Mindzone, we created The Green Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness and challenge stigma about mental health and emotional well-being. We hand-made over 600 green ribbons which we then handed out to people and put up all around Newcastle, Stoke, Hanley, and Keele.

We wanted people to see our ribbons and wear them in support, taking photos/videos, uploading them with our tags, and joining in the conversation about mental health and emotional well-being. This year’s MHAW theme was “relationships”. The importance of healthy relationships is reflected in our awesome campaign video: m haw .nsm ind.org.uk If you like what you see, please share the video widely!

Inside this issue: 2-3 University of Salford Adult Services Review 3 Befriending Volunteer Recruitment 4 How to: Talk to Children 5 40th Anniversary Ball 6 A short message from Michael Mansfield QC 7-8 Ask a Counsellor 8-9 Staff Graduations 9-10 My Experience Running an Expressive Movement Workshop 11 Parents in Mind closure and report 12-13 Parents in Mind Client Feedback 13 National Mind Campaign: Find the Words 14 40th Anniversary Lecture Afternoon

Relationship resolutions from Mindzone clients and staff "Spend more time with people whose company I enjoy." "Interacting and communicating more with family members and don't be stubborn towards them." "Saying hi to an old friend." "Trust in other people's ability." "To love myself more!"

"Try and make people feel better about themselves."

Registered Charity Number 700788

"Buy a small gift for an occasion."

83 Marsh St Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST1 5HN

"I had lost contact with a friend and discovered we both had a new mutual hobby - bond over things more!"

T: 01782 262100 F: 01782 262212 E: reception@nsmind.org.uk W: nsmind.org.uk

"Smile at a stranger."

"Focus on positive subjects with them so they'll give you a positive impression back. When talking about negatives, try to empathise!"

North Staffs Mind is a charity and we rely on donations to continue our work. Please contact us to find out how you can provide support.

John Gibson (User Engagement Co-ordinator) - University of Salford Adults Services Review The Impact of North Staffs Mind’s Adult Counselling Service on the Mental Health of their Clients: A Research Report

counselling rooms in both Hanley and Newcastle. Particular areas covered included:

In 2015, North Staffs Mind commissioned a research team from the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences at the University of Salford to produce a qualitative study of its Adult Counselling service to complement the quantitative data collected as a matter of routine.

- How did those using the service experience the counselling? - What aspects of the service enabled the client to talk about their experiences? - How would they describe the benefits and disadvantages of counselling? - Has the counselling enabled the person to have a better quality of life and, if so, how?

We agreed that around 12–15 clients - approximately 1% of new clients seen in 2012/13 who had completed their therapy within the previous 12 months would be a sufficient sample to provide insights into the service we provide. The evaluation captured the impact of North Staffs Mind’s Adult Counselling service on the lives of those who used it, in order to provide greater insight and understanding of the value of the service at both a personal and community level. For the purpose of the evaluation, the case study approach was employed for indepth understanding of each individual’s experience. Case study was complemented by the use of narrative interviewing, the main means of data collection for this project, which offered the participants an open forum to tell the story of their experience. Face-to-face narrative interviews with 12 former clients - 9 who had accessed the core Adult Counselling service and 3 who had used the Parents in Mind service - took place in our

"For the purpose of the evaluation, the case study approach was employed for in-depth understanding of each individual’s experience."

By listening to the individual’s own account of their lived experience in the context of their social world, the interviewers were able to gain an understanding of how each participant locates him/herself in relation to their internal and external worlds - in this instance their experience of "The researchers analysed having received counselling. All each interview transcript interviews were then for story content and then anonymised.

across transcripts to look

The researchers analysed each for commonalities and interview transcript for story differences." content and then across transcripts to look for commonalities and differences. The completed report includes both individual stories about the experience of receiving counselling, as well as identifying common themes that can be used to harness what is working well and where improvements might be made.

John Gibson (User Engagement Co-ordinator) - University of Salford Adults Services Review

Could you be our next volunteer?

Report Feedback As a study of North Staffs Mind’s Adult Counselling service providing pen portraits of each participant, the report gives an understanding as to how North Staffs Mind has played a significant role in enabling their clients to get back on track and move towards building a better future. From the evidence collected, the report makes it clear that counsellors at North Staffs Mind provide therapeutic interventions that are tailormade to meet the person’s needs through using a pluralistic approach rather than a particular model of therapy. In addition, North Staffs Mind as an organisation provides a safe environment and compassionate interventions for those experiencing mental distress.

"the report makes it clear that counsellors at North Staffs Mind provide therapeutic interventions that are tailor-made to meet the person’s needs"

We are currently recruiting volunteer befrienders to work on our Newcastle based befriending scheme. Befrienders provide regular one to one social support to people experiencing mental health problems. It’s anticipated that volunteers will have some or all of the following skills: • •

• • • • • •

Report Recommendations Recommendations made were few, which we take as a compliment. They focus in the main on our continuing to work in the same way as a cohesive team that combines professionalism with humanity. Overall, the report is very positive in its findings and provides a strong endorsement of the quality and approach of our work. I encourage you to read it.

Befriending Volunteer Recruitment

"Overall, the report is very positive in its findings and provides a strong endorsement of the quality and approach of our work."

Reliability Ability to relate to individuals with mental health issues Good listening skills Ability to motivate people Positive outlook Patience Non judgemental Interest in mental health issues

If you’d like to know more, please visit our website: nsmind.org.uk/volunteering For further information and to apply contact Hazel on 01782 262100 or hazelball@nsmind.org.uk Full training and ongoing support are provided

How to: Talk to Children Some of the most meaningful relationships we have are with children, whether they are related or not. Here are some tips on how to get a conversation going about mental health. Listen. Give them a chance to air their feelings without jumping in too early. This enables the child to explore and discover what's going on for them. Make it part of everyday conversation, then it's not a huge scary thing, or something you have to do all in one go. It doesn't have to take hours, and informal spaces or during activities can be less exposing - for example, in the car, on a walk, over a meal, or whilst watching TV. Respect. By valuing a child's thoughts and opinions even if you don't understand or agree with them, they will be more likely to want to talk to you. You can do this simply by taking a genuine curiosity in their lives and withholding judgements.

mental health. This can help a child feel less anxious about talking. Don't try too hard. Kids are highly sensitive to feeling pressurised. Let the child know you're available to talk, and give them a chance to make the approach. Don't ask vague questions. Kids often don't have the words to express how they're feeling, and they often don't understand what we're looking for when we ask them questions. This is why asking "How was your day?" is often met with a "dunno" or a shrug. It can help to make the questions more specific, such as "What was the best thing about your day?" or "What was the hardest thing?" Get on their level. Kids love to goof around. If you can let out your own inner child and join in with the play, you'll be in a much better position to see the world through their eyes.

"By valuing a child's thoughts and opinions even if you don't understand or agree with them, they will be more likely to want to talk to you."

"It doesn't have to take hours, and informal spaces or during activities can be less exposing"

Depersonalise. It might be easier to talk about hypothetical situations rather than asking direct questions. For example saying "Exams can be really stressful, can't they" or discussing about the experiences of a TV character. Normalise. Everybody has mental health in the same way that everybody has physical health. Pointing out that mental health difficulties can exist for everybody can dispel some of the stigma attached to

•

Mark Garlick - 40th Anniversary Ball The 14th May kicked off the 40th Anniversary celebrations of North Staffs Mind with the Ruby Ball held at the Britannia Stadium. The event took its theme from The Wizard of Oz, famous for the Ruby slippers, and highlighted the different mental health issues that affect the different characters in the story. We were very pleased to have over 250 guests at the event who enjoyed a drinks reception with Hassle Street Jive Candy providing jazz music (pictured bottom right), and a three course meal to follow. Linda Holt, North Staffs Mind Chair of Trustees opened the evening by thanking all those attending and supporting the event before handing over to Karen Mellanby, Director of Networks and Communities at National Mind, who spoke of the achievements of Local Minds across the UK, and how much their services are needed in supporting the mental health of thousands of people throughout the country. The night included various fundraising activities: - Charity raffle, consisting of some amazing prizes donated by both local businesses and the public - Photo booth for people to commemorate the night, changing up their look with various props and hats.

•

- Charity auction, which featured signed Stoke FC shirts, artwork and a North Devon holiday. - A high-value raffle for those attending the evening where a weekend in a country cottage was up for grabs. All these fundraisers were a great success and saw £2,474 being raised on the night! Sheila Tams (pictured top right) also presented a cheque for £1,010 from her own charity football fundraising event.

Sheila Tams presenting a cheque for £1,010 from her own charity football fundraising event.

It was hoped that Michael Mansfield QC would be attending, but was unable to do so due to health reasons. He did however send a brief message (page 5). The evening featured cabaret from the amazing Dame Berta (pictured middle right) who also hosted the event and of course dancing until late in the night. North Staffs Mind would like to thank everyone who made the night a success and all those who donated generously on the night helping us to continue supporting people throughout Staffordshire.

The evening featured cabaret from the amazing Dame Berta

Hassle Street Jive Candy provided jazz music

Short message from Michael Mansfield QC Very sincere apologies for my absence tonight. When I realised it was going to be impossible I let Mark know the reason. It is medical and I hope you will forgive me if I do not go into detail in public. This year has been remarkable already. The jury in the Hillsborough Inquests made historic findings about basic institutional failings, not just the police but others as well. It was the longest jury hearing in British legal history. Behind it lay the 27 year struggle of 96 families for truth and justice. I mention this because there is presently a need to strive relentlessly for justice in the arena of mental health. The same determination and commitment is required to ensure certain objectives are achieved. The main one is parity of treatment. If you have a broken leg or a physical disease, such ailments attract more resources and immediate understanding than the more amorphous nature of mental wellbeing. At a time of increasing and manifold pressures from economic adversity and austerity; insecurity posed by the threat of extreme religious bigotry ; global warming and the steady erosion of our environment ; the ever present fear of unemployment ; the detrimental effect of poor housing ; and the serious reduction in welfare benefits, education and health resources ; it can be no

surprise that there are generations, particularly younger ones, who find that hope barely springs eternal !! We must all be vigilant and aware of this crucible, in order to enable discussion and support. There should be no reluctance, no stigma for these matters to be openly addressed. It is a collective responsibility. That also has been the fundamental objective of SOS ( Silence of Suicide ). This initiative was inaugurated by Yvette Greenway and myself last July following the suicide of my daughter Anna. It is now a nationwide network intended to encourage people to come together to openly discuss their fears, their feelings about suicide which for too long has carried criminal overtones such that feelings of guilt are experienced by all who are touched by this harrowing occurrence. We must ensure a release from mental imprisonment. People must feel free to speak. Thank you and best wishes for your celebration.

"If you have a broken leg or a physical disease, such ailments attract more resources and immediate understanding than the more amorphous nature of mental wellbeing."

"We must ensure a release from mental imprisonment. People must feel free to speak."

Michael

Ask a Counsellor: Billy Greenish Billy is a Senior Counsellor at North Staffs Mind. He has been a member of staff for three years. How would you define counselling? A human-to-human encounter using a range of relationship and insight features bringing about a changed emotional response to past trauma. What is your therapeutic training? Originally psychodynamic. This formed my opinion that it’s very difficult to bring about lasting change without discovering the original origins of distress. I would now identify as integrative or pluralistic. What counselling offers above manualised therapies is flexibility to meet the client where they are. And we all have a lot to thank Carl Rogers for in insisting that offering the core conditions (empathy, unconditional positive regard, congruence) is essential to change. How has your practice changed over time? Not easy to say, as I feel I’ve done more-or-less the same thing with every client for years now. This does not mean becoming crusty or nonreflexive or ignoring Continuous Professional Development (CPD). One is always a Learner, always thinking. I just feel the real key is to find one’s style that works for you and to adapt it to the person in front of you. The major practice advance I notice within myself is learning to shut up and just listen more.

What is the most important ingredient for therapeutic progress? Unconditional positive regard. Clients are very unlikely to heal working opposite somebody who doesn’t perceptibly genuinely care about our wellbeing from a non-judgmental stance. Without that stance as counsellors we will indeed be opposite, not together with the client in the Therapeutic Alliance. What do you value in your role as a counsellor? Human Beings. Motivationally the job is about other people. There are easier ways to earn money. I’ve had three phases of motivation. Firstly, it was a case of "Blimey, I might actually be good at this." I was good at other things but not relating to other people because I have Aspergers Syndrome. So to be able to meet people in meaningful and purposeful conversation was a huge discovery. Counselling is a great way for me to interact with other people because I’m not brilliant at other kinds of conversation. Then motivation became a case of "Wow - Healing – like Wow, isn’t that terrific". My emphasis in that phase was purely upon how what I was doing could assist healing and being very happy for people who managed it. These days, though, my motivation is just about the superb human beings I meet and letting them just be. Counselling is sometimes accused (by people whose defences are still functional if not actually helpful) of painting a picture of people as vulnerable and without resilience; but just one thing of

"What counselling offers above manualised therapies is flexibility to meet the client where they are."

"The major practice advance I notice within myself is learning to shut up and just listen more."

"Motivationally the job is about other people. There are easier ways to earn money."

Aska aCounsellor: Counsellor: Billy Billy Greenish Greenish Ask the many things counselling has taught me is how immensely strong people are. It is astounding to witness peoples’ capacity to survive, heal and grow. My focus is now less on the methodological factors of relating, more now about trusting in peoples’ innate capacity to live successfully. And it’s not all about the ‘healing’: every aspect of a persons’ experience must be received and is part of the joy of meeting them, valuing and hopefully helping them to value themselves in the round; especially their own capacity to move beyond their wounds.

I appreciate it comes naturally to others but this is innately difficult for me to do because I like to fix things and one of my faults is to think I’m always right, it’s just the way my brain works. I don’t forget my core psychodynamic understanding, but the more I am able to just allow the client space the more I feel therapy is effective. This revelation still strikes me as completely surprising.

"just one thing of the many things counselling has taught me is how immensely strong people are."

How would you like to grow in your practice? Just shut up more. I don’t mean “staying with the unknown” or “using silence”, that stuff’s easy. I mean basic just shutting up and listening, offering interpretations and opinion less.

Staff Graduations - Christine Brown Staff Graduations

Congratulations to Christine Brown for graduating with an MSc (Distinction) in Counselling Psychology at Keele University on the 21st January. The experience of my first psychology degree, completed 30 years ago, was characterised by a friend at the time as being like watching someone walking through a war-zone, staggering on as incendiary devices explode all around. I was, it has to be said, a reluctant student. It was hard - who would rather chatter all day (and night) than actually do anything. I wombled out of it all with a degree I didn’t know how I’d got, and a seriously dented sense of self-worth.

So what a surprise it was to find

myself, as if I hadn’t applied for it, doing a masters. Somehow it had just happened, seemed sensible - even a good idea - on a warm, slightly tipsy summer’s evening when I was desperate to do something other than the job I’d got, but without admitting what a waste of time that’d been too. Not quite able to believe I was there (Keele University), my main topic became Presence. Not Therapeutic Presence, a la "Geller and Greenberg" as I’d intended and indeed had justified

"I was, it has to be said, a reluctant student. It was hard - who would rather chatter all day (and night) than actually do anything."

Hazel Ball - My Experience Running an Expressive Movement Workshop

Staff Graduations - Christine Brown Staff Graduations for my study, but simply being present here and now; because I wasn’t. For 95%+ of the time my head was not where my body was – it was occupied with remote things (TV, radio – I’m not into social media or it would have been that too). Rehearsing the future, rehashing the past; a pseudoexistence sped on its way by being too busy to ‘be’; constantly anxious that I’d not been/done/said enough before I’d moved on; softening any discomfort with chocolate, alcohol and, when I had the money, shopping. How can I truly be present to others if I’m not present to myself here and now; what am I being present with? So I went cold turkey – gave up TV/radio, alcohol (HARD), shopping etc. I looked inside. And then outside. Then I started reading; social theory, psychological research, spiritual writings, fiction. Art, music, philosophy flooded in, along with an overwhelming sense of being at sea – of living aboard a boat; one minute being tossed around in a stormy ocean, the next as if on a tiny barge stuck in muddy water in the bottom of a rut; and then the exhilaration of a yacht cutting through the water on a windy, cloudless day, sun glinting off water. It was almost visceral, and obsessive; my hard-working husband ate appalling meals in a kitchen becoming more ‘spaniel-ed’ by the week. But these were some of the best, and the hardest – and I don’t ‘do’ hard, remember – months of my life... and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

I came out with a felt sense of the natural, innate, connectedness of our world, and the ease of our separation from it; as well as a profound urge to return to this ‘paradise lost’, and a calmer acceptance of the complexity and difficulty of existence. It has changed my understanding, and my work. If there is one piece of advice I would like to pass on, it is to follow your instincts; to study what you are passionate about, what the whole of you can engage with, rather than what appears sensible. And to take time. Time to let your research settle, shift and develop; to allow it, and you, to flourish. That’s two pieces of advice but, with a glass of wine in hand on a summer’s evening, that seems OK… Cheers!

"If there is one piece of advice I would like to pass on, it is to follow your instincts; to study what you are passionate about, what the whole of you can engage with, rather than what appears sensible"

As an aid to counsellors continuing professional and personal development, North Staffs Mind run regular workshops for staff and volunteers; often these are facilitated by people within the organisation who have skills or training that they wish to share. I’d often wondered what I would like to share with my colleagues; I’ve had an interest in dance for a while now, in particular its capacity to help energise and give rise to a cathartic and therapeutic experience. When I was asked if I’d collaborate to deliver an expressive movement workshop based on these experiences, I happily agreed. Then, the nerves set in and that niggling little voice that crops up every so often said ‘you can’t do that’. I’m happy to say that having spotted this character trying to undermine me, I persevered with the idea! What is expressive movement? For me expressive movement is about breaking out of the need to move a certain way; breaking out of following the instructions of formal dance routines; becoming more embodied and moving in a way that is guided by my own body, my own breath. ‘The fastest way to still the mind is to move the body’ Gabrielle Roth. In this frenetic modern world, it can be increasingly difficult to find stillness or any sense of peace. The buzzword of the moment – ‘mindfulness’ 9

Hazel Ball - My Experience Running an Expressive Movement Workshop Conjures up images of people sitting monk-like, cross legged on the floor trying to attain oneness with the moment. Mindfulness is a fantastic tool but sometimes the very action of sitting still and watching our thoughts can lead to further agitation and an even more restless mind. ‘Mindfulness’ is often translated to mean awareness, so it is the action of being aware that helps still the mind. Often when I’m dancing, the thoughts seem to subside completely and I’m just moving; unconcerned with how I look; flowing in the movement, dancing like no one's watching; being like a child unencumbered by censorship by self or others. Aware of my breath, my body. Creating and delivering the workshop

On the night of the workshop, our preparation and attention to detail paid off - the workshop went very well. Leading a short moving meditation, guiding us to connect with our bodies and with the music, it was a joy to feel free to move without concern about what people might think; and a joy to see work colleagues engaging in a similar process. Perhaps you want to try this and don’t know where to start? Just draw the blinds, put some music on and start to move! Participant feedback: "It was very good. I felt very at ease at the end and was able to let go during the movement. I took away an understanding that it doesn't matter what others think; do your thing."

"For me expressive movement is about breaking out of the need to move a certain way"

"During my time at North Staffs Mind I’ve found the organisation very supportive towards developing people and helping them grow."

Over a period of several weeks I noticed my ideas taking shape; I felt enthused, positive and saw my confidence growing. What helped me in this process you may be wondering? During my time at North Staffs Mind I’ve found the organisation very supportive towards developing people and helping them grow. Working with Winston was also a pleasure – we seemed to be on the same page from the start; both of us relatively chilled out about the ideas taking shape; mainly in agreement about the ideas and the direction of the workshop; and fascinated by new ideas and sharing our musical ideas for the playlist. 10

Vikki Kent - Parents in Mind closure and report Parents in Mind started officially in June 2011 and we had 5 years funding which ends May 2016. There was recognition that parents with mental health issues sometimes needed extra support with their parenting alongside the generic support offered for their mental wellbeing. We also recognised that there was a need for an outreach service to offer support to those parents who were isolated who wouldn't normally access mainstream services. Our criteria was for parents who had mental health issues first and foremost, but also either had accessibility issues or needed support with Mindzone parenting. Mud Run 3 of the 5 team members were accredited parenting practitioners. We were able to share our skills and expertise with the others in order to offer a uniformed approach to the parenting side of the project. In the five years, we had just under 1000 referrals and we offered almost 9000 sessions. The project was regarded as invaluable throughout the five years that we operated, and as a team we recognised the growing need for the work we did out in the community. The work was often extremely complex as we were working with the 'hard to reach' client group. Working sometimes in the family home we were able to get a perspective of the whole family, and in particular

the needs of the child and how this could be addressed through the work we did with "There was recognition that the parent.

parents with mental health issues sometimes needed We have a high percentage of evaluations back which tell us extra support with their parenting alongside the that the work we have done has been invaluable and in lots generic support offered for of cases life changing. their mental wellbeing." The coffee club continues to run on the first Thursday of each month and is run by parent volunteers - all of whom were once clients of Parents in Mind. It was initially slow to take off the ground, but given that our target group was hard to reach we now have a regular group of parents who meet each month and the number continues to grow. It is very informal, and anyone who is a parent is welcome to attend; they do not have to be an ex-client of Parents in Mind. Its extremely sad that this service has not been refunded and there is no other service offering this type of work in the city for the people who really need it.

Coffee Club is held in the Audrey Dudson Room at The Dudson Centre.

"The project was regarded as invaluable throughout the five years that we operated, and as a team we recognised the growing need for the work we did out in the community."

"We have a high percentage of evaluations back which tell us that the work we have done has been invaluable and in lots of cases life changing."

Participants arrive at 9.45am for 10.15am start ( Tea / Coffee ) and runs until 11.45am. The parent volunteers have an email for anyone that wants to get in touch: parentsinmindcoffeeclub@gmail.com 11

Parents in Mind Client Feedback

National Mind Campaign: Find the words We want everyone with a mental health problem who visits their GP practice to get the support that best suits their needs. That’s what our new campaign Find the Words is all about. For most of us, our local GP practice is the first place we’ll go when we’re unwell. It’s there to help us with our mental health as well as our physical health. In fact, around one third of all GP appointments are related to mental health. However, it’s not always easy having that first conversation about your deepest feelings with your GP, someone you may hardly know. That’s why we’ve made a short film and guide on how to make the most of the few minutes you have with your GP or practice nurse. To access these resources, simply visit mind.org.uk/words and click on the links visible below.

40th Anniversary Lecture Afternoon