Mental health 5oct 2015 by Northern Advocate

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Mental Health Koha me te Aroha: Awareness Week 2015

GIVE encourages wellbeing D

“E iti noa ana, na- te aroha – it’s the giving that counts, not the size of the gift.”

o celebrate this week in Northland, mental health support agencies will be holding a range of events in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Hokianga, Kawakawa, Dargaville and Whangarei. We hope by taking part, Northlanders will discover fun ways to assist people to experience wellbeing and gain a better understanding of the most useful ways to support those living with mental illness.

New Economics Foundation (NEF) from the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research report, published in the UK. NEF conducted a review of the most up-to-date evidence and found building ﬁve actions into day to day lives is important for the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and organisations. These are:

This publication has a range of articles and good self-help suggestions for friends and family/whanau, colleagues, and communities to give the gift of good mental health to each other. We hope you ﬁnd these helpful.

• Give, Koha me te Aroha

World Mental Health Day on 10 October is endorsed by the World Federation for Mental Health and will be marked in more than 150 countries.

You can introduce any of these actions into your life, any time, and you will begin to feel the beneﬁts.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing: Nga Ara Rima, were developed by the

• Connect, Whakawhanuangatanga • Take Notice, Kia Mataara, Mohiotanga • Keep Learning, Whakatewhatewha • Be Active, Mahi kakama-

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2015 we in New Zealand are promoting the concept of “Giving : Koha me te Aroha”.

o something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone, smile, or volunteer your time by joining a community group. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connection with the people around you. It feels good to give and everybody has something to offer. These are the ideas behind the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week, 5 to 11 October 2015 which is “Give: Koha me te Aroha” Mental health is something we can all experience, but it is also something we can lose – it is fragile and must be nurtured.To GIVE is one way you can nurture wellbeing in yourself and others. So, if giving is useful, how will you play your part and nurture yourself and others? • Join or start and develop a neighbourhood “Time Bank”.

• Take opportunities to support and advocate for groups, friends, family or neighbours in need. • Give a smile away! • Organise or promote random acts of kindness days at school, work or when you’re out with a group. • While driving, stop to let a car into the trafﬁc. • Offer to mow the grass verge of your neighbour. • Join a community clean-up day could be a local stream, river, beach or park - or a tree planting project with friends or family • If you have fruit trees pop your excess fruit out on the street with a “help yourself” sign. • Donate old toys, books, sports equipment, clothes, etc, to a local charity.

• Help with school working bees and fundraisers. • Offer to help an older neighbour with their wheelie bins on rubbish/ recycling days. • Give a compliment – acknowledge what someone in your life has done well. In this busy, time scarce world it is easy to forget the value of giving a little time to others. It feels good.Try it today!

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Breaking Down

Q&A

Barriers The stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness is one of the biggest barriers stopping people, particularly men, from seeking professional treatment.

ental illness can affect anyone at any time regardless of age, culture, income or gender. Everyone experiences tough times in their life. And most of the time most people get through these without too much difficulty. But sometimes some people struggle to get through these periods. The problems become stressful causing anxiety and depression and result in an inability to find solutions.This may seriously impact on their physical, emotional and mental health as well as affecting their relationships and ability to work. Mental illness is far more prevalent than many people think……..The New Zealand Mental Health Survey 2006 found: • 46% of NZs experienced an internationally recognised mental illness at some time during their lives; • 21% had experienced a mental illness in the year prior to the survey; • 30% of people who had experienced mental illness in the past year were Maori. Gordon Hudson, Like MindsTaranaki rural and elderly coordinator, says with such a high prevalence of mental illness in New Zealand you may think we would understand it a great deal better - but this is not the case. “Unfortunately our combined fear and ignorance creates an alarming degree of stigma and discrimination about what mental illness is and how it can be best treated.” He says this societal and/or self-stigma often creates feelings of low self-esteem, reduced confidence and even shame and at its worst may lead those who need help the most towards social isolation, depression and suicide.This in turn may prevent a person from seeking appropriate mental and physical health care, employment, closer relationships or independent living. “It is the prime reason why many people, particularly men do not seek treatment” says Gordon. One in three people, predominantly men, do not seek professional help for their mental health condition. These people typically continue to struggle on their own – often camouflaging their illness with alcohol and other substances and may become socially isolated.

What is stress?

GORDON HUDSON Mental illness can affect anyone, anytime… what you do may make the difference.

Q&A What are the warning signs? These can include: • Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. • Lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. • Lack of energy and failure to complete tasks. • Isolating behaviour and/or withdrawing from family/ friends and events. • Not collecting and/or reading mail. • Not answering the door or returning phone calls. • Mood swings. • Going ‘underground’ not communicating. • Sweating about the small stuff. • Inability to concentrate. • Continuous feelings of anxiety and tension. • Not remembering things that you normally would. • Difficulty in making sound choices. • Significant changes in normal sleeping and/or eating patterns. • Increased risk taking behaviour eg. alcohol/ drug use, gambling. Physical signs such as shortness of breath, indigestion, dry throat/lump in throat, and muscle tension.

As Sir John Kirwan says, depression is very real, very tough, but there is a way through it. But to get through it you need some understanding of mental health – your own, and that of your families and friends. Gordon wants to reassure people a diagnosis of mental illness does not say anything about a person’s capabilities, personality or future. “The vast majority of people who have some kind of mental illness get better, hold down jobs, make good partners and parents, are not dangerous and have a great deal to offer their community. “In fact, the very act of dealing with a mental illness often gives people an extraordinary sense of character,” says Gordon.

A simple deﬁnition of stress is…the body’s reaction to things that happen to you. Stress can be both positive and negative: • Positive stress can be an important and powerful motivator. It enables us to take pleasure in challenges. • Negative stress (bad stress or distress) is when events make us feel uncomfortable and not in control – leading to poor concentration, poor decision making and deteriorating relationships. The danger lies in too much stress over a long time.

Mental illness can affect anyone, anytime… what you do may make the difference. • Learn a little more about mental health and mental illness. There are many simple ways to gather information about mental health. An easy source is www. likemindstaranaki.org.nz . Learn to differentiate between facts and fiction – between what is real and what is myth. • Be aware of your own attitudes and behaviours. We all develop different attitudes and behaviours based on our own upbringing and some of these may need revisiting. Becoming more aware, more accepting and more supportive of people who experience mental illness is a great start. • Take some care in choosing words. Try and use more accurate and sensitive words when speaking or referring to someone with a mental illness. • Educate others. Take opportunities to inform others about taking more positive attitudes to people who are mentally unwell. • Focus on the positive. People with experience of mental illness have many other aspects and skills that define who they really are. • Support people. If you know someone with experience of mental illness - provide the sort of support you think you would want if that person was you. • Include everyone. Accepting someone with a mental illness also means including them in your life - helping them stay connected with their community. • The ABC of mental health. Is being Accepted, feeling as if you Belong and feeling Connected to your family/whanau, friends and wider community. This article and all the Q+A side bars were first published in “Down on the Farm” produced by Taranaki Rural SupportTrust and Like MindsTaranaki, 2013. Our grateful appreciation for their willingness to share their content and the success of their format.

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Self Help Options:

What are the mental health beneﬁts of exercise? by Robert Coats

heard about a group of mental health clients and support staff having exercise fun at the Activ8 Gym on Porowini Ave and went along to see if they could answer my question. What I found was exciting and hopeful. I found a happy, bouncy, excited group of people who were buzzing about the beneﬁts of exercise. I asked them what being in the gym had done for them and they replied: “I’m more fit.” “I’m more sociable. Working as a group has been great and reduced my anxiety.” “It’s fun.” “It has increased my confidence.” “I work hard.” “The feeling lasts.” To ﬁnd out why they were so excited about exercise I had to dig a little deeper.Their answer was: “Shane’s the man!” Shane, it turns out, is the gym instructor who works with this happy group of people. (By the way – don’t shake his hand, unless you don’t want to use it for the next 10 minutes while you shake out the crushed bones and

squished fingers!)They said Shane was a good motivator; he is friendly; he is “Awesome”, and he is enthusiastic. When I talked to Shane “The man” about his experience of working with people with mental illness he said: “I initially didn’t know what to think. When you hear the words “mental illness” you don’t know what to expect. But now I see a group of friends. I see people working hard to achieve goals together. It is very rewarding to see the changes that have occurred.”

agencies in town, decided to fund 10 of their clients to attend gym so they could get ﬁtter and improve their health and sense of wellbeing.Their staff, along with Kaye and Bart from the Northland District Health Board’s Early InterventionTeam, have been bringing their clients for the last 2 years.They have noticed big changes in their clients and themselves.They exercise alongside their clients and are all equals in the sweat and strain of keeping up with Shane’s instruction.

Kaye was especially keen to acknowledge the contribution of New Balance Shoes for the heaps of shoes they have donated. New clients are ﬁtted out with shoes donated by New Balance. Kaye says she just has to ring and if they can help, they send out boxes of seconds or returned shoes.” Have I answered my question? Looking at the joy and enthusiasm on each face as they left the gym, I am left asking the question: “What’s my excuse?”

Other gym users were also enthusiastic about what they had seen.They had seen people change from being quiet and watchfully anxious with poor body language and posture, into people who stand tall with shoulders back and heads raised, more conﬁdent and talkative. How did this exercise class come to begin?Two years ago Emerge Aotearoa, one of the mental health support

Q&A What can you do about Stress? If it is not possible to remove the cause of stress – learn to manage your body’s reaction to stress: • Acknowledge that you are stressed and/or depressed – while we deny it – we cannot act on it. • Give yourself some breathing/thinking space. • Start talking to someone you trust about what is distressing you. • Discuss problems with your partner and share the load. • Work out a plan to minimize what is stressing you the most. • Try to find a solution to problems or conflict in your life. • Eat well, exercise and get sufficient sleep. • Take some time out – ideally away from home. • Treat yourself – do something fun with friends/family. • Talk to your GP: they will know options that may be of help to you. • Take hope.You are not alone.You will get through this.

Q&A What causes stress? • Work load – too much to do in too little time. • Financial pressures and uncertain incomes. • Adverse events – work and personal. • The weather • Relationship issues with boss, staff, neighbours and family. • Never ending hours of work. • Feeling under-valued and/or isolated. • Bullying and/or harassment. • Ever increasing costs. • Poor communication and role expectations. • Juggling work and home life. • Technology – so frustrating when not working effectively. • Unreasonable personal pressure and/or goals.

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Self Help Options:

The Happiness Project – picture me happy One of the most popular activities undertaken in 2014 by members of the Northland Consumer Network (TTTWON) was the Happiness Project.

he Happiness Project involved participants taking a photo everyday of something that made them happy, brought them joy, or just reminded them of something they were grateful for. For 100 days they were encouraged to daily capture something that made them feel happy or experience joy (photo, thought, picture, memory). They met weekly to discuss and ponder each person’s happy moment. This sharing bought much laughter and some tears. At the end a selection of individuals photos were made up into their book to help them remember these happy times.

JJ’s story “The Happiness Project has been going for 100 days. It made me more aware of happy moments in my life.This has been very therapeutic, seeing other people’s happy snaps. I look forward to the next Happiness Group.”

The project is being rerun in 2015 – at the TTTWON premises, 73 Water Street; at the Red Hub education centre provided by Emerge Aotearoa (09 437 0467); and at the Out of The Blue Café (opposite Four Square), Coopers Beach. This year at the Waka Challenge on 10th October the Happiness Project will have a “couch circle” available for people to join our conversation about happiness.

I came to learn how cameras work, how to take photos and how to print them. Well I was so wrong. I watched and listened as people talked about their feelings of happiness and joy from the photo displayed. I thought “Wow, that’s very different to what I imagined and very interesting!”

Here are some reflections on the happiness by several of the participants: Dawn’s story “Trying to find out what makes you happy makes you think hard about these things. The photos didn’t mean that much to me at the time, but other people saw them differently and this enabled me to see the positive in them. As the project progressed, I found it easier to find things around me that make me happy. Now that the project has finished I find that I have a more positive outlook on day to day life.”

Andy’s story “Feeling bored one day and looking for something that would interest me, I asked my friend what she does to pass the time. She said she was part of a photography group at TTTWON. She also said that it might be something I might like because of my artistic abilities.

I had not experienced true happiness for many, many years.To me, being happy was all about getting drunk and stoned and the feelings that I related to most easily were anger, sadness and negativity. After this ﬁrst group meeting I really wanted to give this new way of looking at things a good go.This was more than just taking a heap of photos and looking at them. It was expressions of happiness and joy which was the reason I took the photo. It became something that I practised every day. I have met people who are genuine and through them, their photos and sharing, I have got to know a lot more about them. I am a lot happier than I have ever been in the past. I understand that happiness

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO TOP UP YOUR HAPPY TANK AND PUT THE BOUNCE BACK IN YOUR LIFE?

Bubbles are such fun can be found in lots of things around me and usually it is just the simple things – like a photo – that can put a smile on my dial.” Onlooker’s story - outside looking in “I wasn’t a part of the project but I helped to load the photos onto the computer and project them so that the group could discuss points and issues that had come up for them. The discussions quickly widened to include subjects such as ‘the nature of happiness’ and ‘what is joy’.This changed the way people viewed the world and their place in it. A photo is a simple act which brings you happiness again and again, long after you press the shutter button. I think everybody should have a chance to be a part of a

‘Happiness Project’. It restores the soul – all because somebody asked: ‘What makes you happy?’” So what are the outcomes? Happiness themes that emerged included: connections with friends and family; caring for pets; observing and getting out into nature; harvesting produce; memories; watching children; being playful; helping others; making and listening to music; sharing food with others; taking good care and treating oneself occasionally.You will have your own “happy place” – and it is good to go there and reap the positive feelings that follow. We would love you to come to theTown Basin on the 10 October to share your own experiences at the “couch circle” in theTown basin Marina.

If you’re feeling stressed, depressed or lacking direction I can help you gain conﬁdence, peace of mind and a sense of self. Life skills to develop the whole person spiritually, emotionally, mentally & physically. d group Personal consultations and workshops available.

Growing Value. Cultivating Hope. Transforming Environments

Phone: 09 432 1781 or 021 243 7474 Email: Philippa@cherishwellbeing.co.nz | www.cherishwellbeing.co.nz

Ring today to book a

FREE

half hour consultation to see how I can help you top up your happy tank

Philippa Ross BSc(Hons)Psych.Adv.DipEd Enthusiologist & Personal Intelligence Philosopher

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Self Help Options:

How employers can help their staff

Take the Stoptober Challenge this October

Mental Health ‘First Aid’ for Home & Business environments The 3 R’s: • Recognise distress • Respond appropriately (and promptly) • Assist in the recovery and restoration of the person’s ability to function Recognition of Distress • We all have different personalities and react differently to the many situations in day to day life that can lead to distress, e.g. relationship difﬁculties, conﬂict, trauma, loss of friend, job or home • A person may feel anxious, depressed, suicidal, angry, or may experience frightening or incomprehensible reactions • A person may become tearful or agitated or aggressive or confused. They may be able to describe how they feel, or we may have to interpret this from what they are doing.

behaviour, clarity of thinking, and degree of self-control • If safe to do so, attempt to talk to the person. • Tell them that you would like to help. • Ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact. • Speak calmly, clearly and in short sentences. • Listen carefully and actively to what is being expressed. • When delusional ideas / beliefs are being expressed, do not argue or try to convince them otherwise - it won’t work. • Stay with them until help / assistance / support person arrives. Do not leave the distressed person alone, except to seek help. • Contact a health service and seek their advice. (See below)

• This distress could be a sign of emotional/psychological injury or illness and the person should receive care and attention as with any physical injury or illness.

• In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to contact emergency services (ambulance / police) to provide assistance.

Respond appropriately - Safety First! Actions you can take:

• Stay involved

• Remain calm. • Be clear about the goal of any action or intervention. • Be aware of your role and responsibilities and your personal limitations • Clear thinking and self-control is essential. • Remember the A, B, C’s: • Assess the situation or circumstances: • Be cautious • Check the emotional “vital signs” – the person’s level of agitation,

Assist in the recovery • Be a friend... all of these actions will assist restoration of the person’s ability to function • If an emergency call 111 Places to get help: • Contact the person’s family to check what they know and would do. • Assist the person to report their symptoms to their GP • Call the DHB’s Mental Health Crisis team – 09 4304100 for Northland during ofﬁce hours, reports symptoms and ask for advice / someone to help • If after office hours, call the mental health line 0800 22 33 71

rom 1 October thousands of kiwis will be taking part in the 31-day stop smoking challenge, Stoptober. In its second year in New Zealand Stoptober organisers are expecting participant numbers to double.

to Stoptober, well be able to let them know there’s a lot of support available to them to become Smokefree including face to face support, and stop smoking therapies like gum, lozenges and Champix.”

Last year over 5,200 kiwis signed up online to participate in the ﬁrst Stoptober 31-day challenge.

HineAo Cassidy took the Stoptober challenge last year.

Visit the website www.stoptober.nz and sign up for the 31 day challenge – so long as you start sometime during October. “We hope 10,000 kiwis sign up this year” says campaign manager Kelly Pohatu. “Rather than concentrate on health risks, Stoptober 2015 focuses on the positives unleashed by stopping smoking, and so our theme is ‘Stopping could be the start of something!’ For example, Stoptober could be the start of having more money in your pocket, better living or saving for a new IPhone,” Kelly said. “The Stoptober movement aims to trigger stop smoking attempts on a national scale during the month of October. Once people are signed up

“One of my old memories is me waking up in the middle of the night suffering from an asthma attack as a child and crawling down the stairs to my Mum. I could remember telling her I could not breathe and she saved me.” “My Mum passed away from Lung Cancer in November of 2014. My mum was never a smoker, but I was!That’s what made me quit. I felt like her seeing me smoke and starving myself of oxygen was killing her. She gave me the breath of life and I was smoking it away.” “To my brothers and sisters who smoke, kia kaha! Quit smoking and you will be stronger and better for it.” The Stoptober.nz website went live 1 September 2015 and will aim to inform, inspire and motivate people to get signed up and quit-ready for the October challenge.

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Self Help Options:

Using your senses to help reduce stress S

ensory Modulation is about a person using their body’s natural resources, simple tools and their environment, through times of distress, to help to create a balance between arousal (stress) and calmness. Many people search this out naturally, knowing that they feel better having a hot bath with soothing music and scented candles ﬂickering gently on the walls, while others have never developed an awareness of what everyday things feel good to them. This latter group may resort to other measures, like drugs and alcohol, to self soothe, or they may ride the distress roller coaster up and down, often resulting in a disrupted lifestyle for themselves and family/whanau. Our body is equipped with the ﬁve usual senses; sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.There are three more senses used, that are not so well known, these are referred to as the “powerhouse” senses.They are your vestibular, proprioception, and oral motor.These relate to your balance, knowing your joints’ movements and where your body is in space, reacting to pressure, and the stimulation from chewing, sucking and blowing. They provide your brain with strong messages of wellbeing.

Everyone is different, and we all have our own sensory preferences. By experimenting with the effects different sensory stimulation has on your arousal level you can develop your own personal sensory kit for home. Do you prefer soft classical music, or the sounds of nature? How do you feel when it is noisy, or silent? Does the smell of lavender calm you or irritate you? Do you feel secure

with a heavy blanket over your body, or do you feel trapped? People can use sensory modulation to gain control over their emotions, self-regulate, manage stress and generally create a healthier lifestyle. Family can help by becoming familiar with their loved ones’ personal preferences and ensuring tools are on hand when needed. Sensory modulation can also be used to help with withdrawal from cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. Basically it is replacing one self soothing technique with another. Emerge Aotearoa’s Recovery Education Hub has a programme where students are discovering what works for them, and why. Some of the simplest techniques, like creating a scented hand cream to massage your own hands, can help reduce anxiety, and allow a person to get on with the activities that they want to do. Why does it work?The deep pressure of massaging your hand is received by your proprioception sense, breathing in the chosen scent connects with your sense of smell, and oral motor senses, looking at your hands, soothes your visual senses - all sending clear calming messages to your brain and your level of arousal reduces. Sensory Modulation is a natural and effective way to help you balance your everyday life, and is a great tool for everyone. Jessica Miedema - Occupational Therapist Recovery Education Hub, Emerge Aotearoa. http://emergeaotearoa.org.nz/ourservices/day-programmes/

My happy place – a quiet soak in my bath.

Support Group for Wha-nau, Family & Friends of people with addiction issues The Alcohol & Drug Service of the Northland District Health Board offers a support group for wha-nau, family & friends who have a loved one with substance abuse/dependence issue; with or without a co-existing mental health issue. When? The group is run once a week from 4pm to 6pm within a school term and goes for six sessions (the day changes each term). The evening time makes it accessible for people either working or looking after children.Tea and Coffee is provided. Next group commences early in Term 4 2015 (October), with date and time to be confirmed Address? 5Three Mile Bush Road, Kamo, Whangarei What happens? There are six sessions of two hours each.The group allow people to share their experience and learn from others; to receive education, and have guest speakers to help with specific questions. Participants have given good feedback after finding out that they are not alone in their stress and dilemma of relating to people who have substance use/addiction issues and when they hear that things can get better.They are also encouraged to look after themselves. Who can attend? Any person who has wha-nau, family, or friend with a substance abuse/ addiction issue, with or without a co-existing mental health issue, is welcome to join the group. How to refer? Wha-nau can refer themselves or can be referred by other health service providers. A simple phone call is all that is needed, leaving name and contact details. With your consent the group facilitators will contact you prior to joining the group to see if other supports are needed. For more information: Steve (09) 470 2706 Northland DHB Alcohol and Drug service

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Self Help Options:

Having fun and trying new things. For instance: Waka Ama. Waka Ama Racing has become a popular highlight of Mental Health Awareness Week

rom 10.30am on 10 October Whangarei’sTown Basin is going to be pulsating with hundreds of excited people participating in waka ama racing.The event is being held to conclude the 2015 celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). This will be the fourth time that Waka Ama racing has been a feature event of MHAW, and its continuing popularity with participants is likely to see it remain a feature event in coming years. The idea of incorporating waka racing into the week grew out of a desire to have a fun, physical activity that would be accessible to as many people with mental health issues as possible and reﬂected the great outdoor experiences that are emblematic of life in the North. Waka racing, with its

roots in Maori culture, proved to be the perfect answer. Waka racing is possible through the generous support of the Parihaka Sports Club who provide their waka ama and 10 of their superbly fit and experienced paddlers. Last year the Club assisted 32 amateur crews from all over Northland to race in theTown Basin – from upstream of the canopy bridge to the fishing boat wharf. Crews came from various mental health and addiction support agencies from Auckland, Dargaville, Whangarei, Kawakawa, Kaikohe and Mangonui. The public can participate too, and business houses and sports clubs are encouraged to “have a go” at waka ama racing. The racing, which involves a series of heats, and finals to identify the winners, will take 3 hours to conclude. All crews will get at least 2 races. In 2013 a crew from Mangonui – Ngati Kahu Social and Health Services who had never been in a waka before – won the trophy. In 2014 the trophy was won by Ngati Hine AoDTane programme. They assure us that they will be back to defend their title. A lady from Dargaville commented on the event: “just letting you know we had awesome day...we may not have won a race...but us women won the tug of war...wooohooo...we got home about 6ish...all knackered....but hats off to arataki and parihaka for the awesome day they put on...next year

we will be geared up...wooohooo..” Such enthusiasm is typical of the response to the event and indicates the beneﬁts of fun, fellowship, and participation.

The event is organised by Arataki Ministries and the Parihaka Sports Club. If you or your team are interested in participating please contact Rhonda or Robert at Arataki Ministries, 09 4303044.

Q&A What causes depression? Too much stress and anxiety can lead to depression.The signs include:

Physical: • • • •

Changes in normal sleeping and/or eating patterns. Headaches and unexplained other aches and pains. Stomach disorders. Feeling tired with little energy.

Behavioural: • • • •

Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Difficulty in concentrating, making decisions. Mood swings. Alcohol and/or drug misuse.

Emotional: • Feeling down, apathetic, irritable, pessimistic, angry, guilty, anxious and empty. • Feeling hopeless, helpless and worthless. • Thoughts of death and/or suicide. If some or all of the above go on for more than two weeks – seek help.

The risk factors for depression? • • • • • • • • • •

Family and personal history of mood disorders. Misuse of drugs or alcohol. Chronic health problems such as cancer or heart disease. Separation or divorce. Major life changes. Work stress. Retirement. Unemployment. Financial difficulties. Suicide.

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Self Help Options:

What can my Doctor do to help me? G

eneral Practice (GP) and Primary Care have key strengths which ensure effectiveness in addressing lifestyles of our communities.Your GP considers the whole person and complexities that may arise, which is fundamental when supporting clients in changes that affect their whole being.

local Primary Health Organisation (PHO).They can refer you to counsellors or psychologists for up to 5 sessions for Anxiety and Depression. This sort of help is very effective for mild or moderate mental health issues. A referral to secondary services at Northland DHB (hospital) will be made if further treatment is required.

GPs in Northland realise that the best way to respond to our communities is to work together. We are putting a lot of work into strengthening our relationships with other health providers and the community and informing everyone of the model we work within.

What are the signs that someone may be suicidal? Warning signs may include: • Ongoing depression and withdrawal from people and activities. • Frequent negative comments about self – eg: I’m no use to anyone. • Talking, writing or thinking about death, dying or suicide. • Seeing no future in the future. • Giving away previously valued possessions. • An unexpected interest in wills and insurance. • Rage, anger, seeking revenge. • Feeling trapped. • Having feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. The presence of warning signs does not necessarily identify when, or even if, a person will attempt suicide. Suicide risk can vary day to day or even hour to hour. Any thoughts, talk or writing about suicide should be taken seriously.

Your ﬁrst step when health issues arise is usually your GP. Some would say your GP is the “front door” to the health system.Your GP will screen you for various issues and provide interventions to assist. For mental health issues, if you require the next level of assessment and brief intervention, the GP will refer you to the Primary Health Clinicians at your

Q&A

Q&A PRIMARY CARE The Whole Person Partnership

What do I do if someone feels suicidal? • Take their thoughts and feelings seriously without being judgmental. • Keep talking with them and listen to them. • Ask them directly if they are thinking of killing themselves. • If yes…ask them if they have a plan. • If yes… ascertain how advanced their plan is. • If advanced…call the Northland District Health Board Crisis Team. • Remove any obvious means, eg, medications, poisons, weapons. • Keep yourself and them as safe as possible. • Call 111 if you feel there is a danger to the person or yourself. • Stay with them until help arrives. • Consider calling the Northland DHB CrisisTeam • If there is no immediate threat of suicide encourage them to visit their doctor, counsellor or other healthcare professional. • Encourage the person to think of some positive aspects of the future – something to look forward to, a sense of hope. If someone can see hope in the future – suicide is preventable. Suicide prevention is not just about preventing the person from dying; it is about convincing the person there is a reason for living.

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Where can I get help?

Arataki Ministries Ltd

Arataki Ministries Ltd, a charitable company, is a non government organisation (NGO) that supports people who experience mental illness.

e are a social service of the Whangarei Central Baptist Church, and have worked in this ﬁeld since 1991. We support 140 people who live in their own homes in Whangarei and Kaipara Districts, and we provide 24/7 supported accommodation to 14 people in our homes in Whangarei. All our work is done under contract to the Northland District Health Board. “Support” means that we help people to live well by supporting goal setting, money management, dealing with the health system, transport, understanding their illness, increasing contacts with family/ whanau, ﬁnding and keeping good housing, and doing meaningful daily activity – whatever it takes to build a good quality life. The elements of life which lead to good mental health are universal: physical resources such as air, water and food; security needs such as safety, warmth, food, clothing, shelter and work; social needs such as belonging to family/whanau, having friends and mates; spiritual needs including understanding of selves, our place in life, and our access to God if desired; plus esteem needs such as recognition for useful tasks; and resilience needs based on good understanding of self and one’s ability for self advancement.

We are excited to be involved in Mental Health Awareness Week, 2015. All the activities of the week are designed to promote understanding that people with mental illness are everywhere, are valuable people, and have the same needs as so called “normal” people – therefore any form of discrimination is unhelpful and unnecessary. Our website www.aratakimin.com further explains the work we do, how we do it, who is eligible, and how to contact us. Phone 09 4303044. Robert Coats, Manager

Where can I get help?

Hokianga Health Enterprise Trust

Hokianga Health EnterpriseTrust is a registered charitable trust formed in May 1992, but Rawene Hospital has been involved in improving the health and wellbeing of Hokianga people for more than 100 years.

he membership of theTrust reﬂects the very strong community focus. 20 members are elected by the community (two members from each of ten clinic areas) and there are four iwi representatives, with two each representingTe Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi andTe Runanga o Te Rarawa.Two staff representatives are also part of the broad based governance of theTrust. Around 70% of theTrust’s membership are of Maori descent. Mental Health Services are fully integrated with Hokianga Health’s primary care services and Northland District Health Board’s mental health services, providing a seamless service. The needs of patients, whanau and community are at the centre of care. Barriers to access are minimised through no charges and the use of outlying clinics.There are seven General Practitioner’s at clinics plus Rawene Hospital services. Lyn Foster is the Manager of Community Health Services, including Mental Health Services, and says the role of Community Health Nurses

is pivotal to the success of service delivery. “Our highly skilled Community Health Nurses are adept at identifying problems, or potential problems for clients.This allows early intervention by the appropriate members of the wider mental health team. “Our Community (Mental Health) Support Workers are also an essential part of our team.They work alongside tangata whaiora (clients) to provide ongoing support to achieve their goals and aspirations for independent living in the community. We have a primary mental health co-ordinator with 3 support workers. We also have a social worker and a GP with specific experience and interest in mental health services. As our client base is predominantly Maori we also offer a wide range of culturally appropriate services such as AwhiTangata Whaiora to support the restoration of mana, tapu and noa.” For more information contact us on 09 4057709 or visit our website http:// hokiangahealth.org.nz/

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Where can I get help?

Te Taitokerau Tangata Whai Ora Network - otherwise known as TTTWON. (The Network of Northland people seeking wellness.)

What is TTTWON? TTTWON is a CharitableTrust governed by “consumers” of mental health and addiction services. Its purpose is to give consumers a collective voice so that their issues and perspectives are heard, and to promote the needs of consumers to enhance their recovery.TheTTTWON Network has grown rapidly to now have over 300 Northland consumers as members. It has been said that, “nothing generates change better than people who know how they want to be treated.” Therefore TTTWON works to equip consumers for their recovery journey with information on illness, treatment options, successful

recovery journeys, and how to take charge of one’s own recovery. So how doesTTTWON do its work? TTTWON collaborates with Arataki Ministries who are contracted for this purpose by the Northland District Health Board (NDHB). Arataki Ministries employs two Networkers to provide this service. They speak to groups; run training seminars; conduct membership meetings; and run a range of networking groups at their office, 73 Water Street, Whangarei. They also collaborate with other mental health and addictions service providers across the region. See the list of activities and contact numbers below.

Emerge Aotearoa merge Aotearoa provides a wide range of community-based mental health, addiction, disability support and social housing services nationwide. We operate in 17 of the 20 DHB geographic areas, employ approximately 1000 people, provide accommodation and support services to approximately 6000 people. Our National Support Centre is in East Auckland with regional ofﬁces in Central and West Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. Services are offered from Kaitaia in the North toTimaru and Greymouth in the South. Our History We were formed in 2015 following the merger of two established mental health providers, Richmond Services and Recovery Solutions. We took the best thoughts, principles, and practices from both these organisations to create a new organisation that would deliver the best possible outcomes for the people who use our services - tangata whaiora - and their families/whanau and communities. Our Focus Our focus is on helping people achieve their full potential, supporting individuals and wha¯nau/families, and encouraging communities to embrace all people and their journeys. We believe that everyone is capable of living full and rich lives in their

TTTWON/Network Regional Programme. Contact Graham or Richard for more info on 09 4384115

Monday: Maungaturoto, 3 Gorge Rd: 10 - 11.30am. Consumer Education. Dargaville, CMA building at 43Tirarau St, Dargaville. 1 - 3.30pm. Drop in and meet a Networker. From 12th October. Dargaville, 5 - 7.30pm. Huia Cottage Group dinner. Dinner at 5pm. Whangarei, 73 Water St. 1.30 - 3.00pm. Consumer Education

Tuesday: Whangarei, 73 Water St: 10 - 12noon. Happiness Project with Denise and Povl: Whangarei, 73 Water St: 1 - 3.00pm. Quit Hub. For smoking reduction/cessation support Whangarei, 73 Water St: 5 - 7.00pm. The Network Band practice: Rawene, Rawene Hospital. 11.30 – 1.00pm. Consumer Education Every second week (opposite to Kaikohe group). Kaikohe, NorthpointTrust, 143 Broadway, Kaikohe. 10.30 - 12 noon. Consumer Education. Every second week (opposite to Rawene group).

Wednesday: Whangarei, 73 Water St. 11 -12.30pm AoD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) Peer Support Group.

Thursday: Whangarei, 73 Water St. 1pm to 3pm. Music Group: Karaoke style fun activity.

Friday: Whangarei, 73 Water St. 12 noon to 2pm. Friday Forum: Consumer run for friendship. Kaitaia, 12 Puckey Ave, Kaitaia. 1 to 5.00pm. Drop in and see a Networker. Kaitaia, 12 Puckey Ave, Kaitaia. 6 to 6.30pm. AoD Peer Support Group. Coopers Beach, 11 to 12noon. Happiness Cafe. Located at Out ofThe Blue Café (opposite Four Square), Coopers Beach.

communities. We seek to understand and meet the needs of Ma¯ori and Pasifika peoples, and foster the participation of people in decisions that affect them, including strengthening peer services. (Peers are people who have their own experience of such distress and are now able to provide support for others.) Responding to a current issue, and our understanding of the importance of having somewhere stable and warm to live, we will be introducing an additional focus on the provision of social housing. As a non-governmental organisation (NGO) we prioritise people over profit, and continuously seek innovative and sustainable solutions. We combine this with professionalism and commitment to the highest quality of service. Our People The team at Emerge Aotearoa is made up of qualified and committed people, led by a blend of skilled and experienced clinicians and mental health professionals. We pride ourselves on our ability to respond with flexible and quality solutions and we are committed to supporting people to live fulfilling lives within their community of choice. For more information please phone 09 4703510 or visit our website: http:// emergeaotearoa.org.nz/

Mental health Awareness Week 5-11 October 2015

Who to contact for help and support? TELEPHONE ADVICE COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT Lifeline -Telephone Counselling & Advice

0800 543 354

Youthline

talk@youthline.org.nz

0800 376 633

0508TAUTOKO - Suicide Prevention Help Line

midday - midnight

0508 82 88 65

RainbowYouth - Support for gay young people & their family

rainbowyouth.org.nz

Kidsline - Phone Counselling for children aged 9 to 13 years

kidsline.org.nz

0800 543 754

Whatsup - Counselling for children aged 5 to 18 years old

Whatsup.co.nz

0800 942 8787

Depression Helpline - Counsellors who can find the right support

depression.org.nz

0800 111 757

Alcohol and Drug Helpline - Information, insight & support

0800 787 797

Maori Line

0800 787 798

Pasifika Line

0800 787 799

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PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATORS - (Mon. - Fri. Only.) Non- urgent referrals Whangarei

LucyTreadwell.

09 4381015

Petite Nathan. Bay of Islands & Kaikohe

Amanda Douglas

021 028 576

Kaitaia Ki Whakawhiti ora Pai

Jackie Harris-Parker

021 222 9859

Whangaroa ki Kaitaia/ Bay of Islands

Te Warati Ututaonga - Pawa

021 889 872

Hokianga

Kathryn Johnstone

021 457 721

Whaingaroa - Social Worker

Valmai Piper

021 852 276

09 405 0340

Ngati Hine HealthTrust

Doreen Rihari

027 304 9536

09 430 2386

OTHER LOCAL SUPPORT

INTERNET RESOURCES The Word - Questions answered about sex, life and relationships

theword.org.nz

The Lowdown

team@thelowdown.co.nz

Suicide prevention intervention New Zealand

www.spinz.org.nz

The Journal - John Kirwan’s Self Help Strategy

www.depression.org.nz

Beating the Blues

www.beatingtheblues.co.nz

Q&A How can I be a good listener? • Be an ‘active’ listener – attentive, focused, encouraging and empathetic. • Let the person get their feelings out. • Show you have heard and understood by reflecting their feelings back to them eg. “You sound pretty annoyed.” • Ask questions to make sure you have understood their concerns. • Be non-judgmental. • Put aside your own problems while you listen. • Encourage the person to keep to the subject rather than digressing on to nonrelated issues. • Try not to advise the person instead go over possible options for the person to choose from.

Q&A How can neighbours and friends help? Family, friends and neighbours are often the best people to assist – simply because they are, hopefully, closer to the person who may be under stress. Ideally, if you are aware that your friend or family member may be having a stressful time or they seem a bit depressed – then: • Have the courage to raise your concerns with them. • Try to involve their partner or family/whanau. • Have the time available to listen carefully, in a non-judgemental manner, to their response and actions. • Listen carefully and encourage discussion and opinions. • Show you have understood what you are being told by reflecting back and acknowledging their feelings and ideas. • Try to identify the things that could be of concern to them such as ﬁnancial management, work issues, relationships or health. • If necessary urge them to book a double session with their GP to talk about how they are feeling. GPs are generally able to provide appropriate medication and to refer to a counsellor. • The GP may believe the person needs a referral to the Northland DHB Mental Health & Addiction Services. • Always follow up with a visit or a phone call as to the person’s progress. This gives you an opportunity to conﬁrm your support.

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See your GP

The Journal Sir John Kirwan… taking the lead in promoting mental health and managing depression... The ‘Journal’ is a successful online self-management programme for New Zealanders experiencing mild to moderate depression.The Journal teaches people techniques they can use in everyday life to help manage their own depression. It can be accessed on www.depression.org.nz Sir John Kirwan fronts the television and online advertising campaign promoting the Journal and is also the coach of the programme. This programme has been successful in promoting mental health, demystifying mental illness and countering much of the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. It has been particularly successful in encouraging people, particularly men to acknowledge that it is OK to seek help.

GREAT DREAM Ten keys to happier living GIVING

Do things for others

RELATING

Connect with people

EXERCISING

Take care of your body

APPRECIATING

Notice the world around

TRYING OUT

Keep learning new things

DIRECTION

Have goals to look forward to

RESILIENCE

Find ways to bounce back

EMOTION

Take a positive approach

ACCEPTANCE

Be comfortable with who you are

MEANING

Be part of something bigger