Top five mental health podcasts (Wales) 2021

 

Over the last few months of lockdown here in Powys in Mid Wales I’ve listened in to a number of great podcasts – both at home and at work. I don’t have a TV – there was no reception where I live when we moved in and we learnt to love living without it. But I still need to get my fix of entertainment and information.

Most of the time I’m a dedicated BBC Radio 4 listener – yes, an Archers fan! But then I started looking further afield… I found that podcasts are flourishing in these times. So, whilst we await more details of the roadmap out of lockdown it seems the ideal time to share some top mental health podcasts with a wider audience.

I particularly enjoy listening to podcasts at home during these dark winter evenings, perhaps when I’m doing exercises or the washing up. Or even just stretched out full-length on the sofa with the cat!

Tune in and see what you think – this is just a small selection of some great podcasts out there currently on the theme of mental health, wellbeing and the workings of the mind generally…

We can get through this – mental health & wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic

Tan y Maen is a community wellbeing centre based in Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd, North Wales. They offer support and resources to individuals, families, friends, carers and volunteers on any aspect of mental health and wellbeing all over North Wales.

During more normal times they offer all kinds of services, including individual and peer support, group support, Walking for Wellbeing, a variety of talking therapies and support for OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and addiction.

Since the start of the pandemic they have, like so many organisations, switched their support sessions online. And over the last few months they have also started a very popular podcast, which is now listened to far further afield than North Wales, with fans in the USA and Europe. The hosts are Eileen and Phil Griffiths – “Phil is the spotlight, he is the Chief Officer of Tan y Maen Community Wellbeing Centre.” The podcast features special guests from a range of professionals involved in supporting people.

“Our podcast is a bit of fun really, with a wellbeing theme around getting through the current issues with Covid and lockdown. It is aimed at providing a little interest and listening diversion, and much as we would in the wellbeing groups we usually run in South Gwynedd the content is informal, and puts across the message of wellbeing and improvement in mental health in an indirect way, using the personal experience of the hosts and the guests.” Link to podcast.

The Recovery Podcast – Hafal

Hafal is a member-led mental health charity based in Wales supporting people with mental health problems, particularly those who are really struggling with serious issues.

The Hafal podcast is brand new. In the first episode you can joins Hafal’s EIP (Early Intervention in Psychosis) staff Aaron Jenkins, David Jones and Aimee Williams discussing a range of topics on young people's mental health to mark Children's Mental Health Week and Time to Talk Day 2021. David also catches up with Hafal's Young People's Ambassador and Ospreys rugby player Lloyd Ash. Link to podcast.

Mental Health Foundation

The Mental Health Foundation podcast brings a range of mental health topics, real life stories, expert comments and mental health tips to listeners. Episodes have covered men talking about mental health, mental health and the economy, improving the lives of young parents and their children, suicide prevention, nutrition and mental health, and how a damaging work environment can affect mental health.

Bethan Buswell is both producer and host. She has her own lived experience of mental health problems and with this podcast she and the Mental Health Foundation want to raise awareness, get people talking and provide support and hope. Link to podcast.

Mad in America – Rethinking Mental Health

The Mad in America podcast is a weekly discussion that searches for the truth about psychiatric prescription drugs and mental health care worldwide.

There is a sister organisation called Mad in the UK with a mission to: “to serve as a catalyst for fundamentally re-thinking theory and practice in the field of mental health in the UK, and promoting positive change”.

Subjects which have been covered on the podcast in recent months include: Psychiatric drug withdrawal: setting the scene, Rethinking suicide prevention, Can we move towards Mindful medicine? and I found my lion’s roar: combining peer support & Open Dialogue. The back catalogue of episodes is immense – well worth checking out for anyone interested in finding out more about an alternative approach to supporting people in mental health distress. Link to podcast.

Mental – The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health

This podcast is brought to us by Bobby Temps and aims to break down mental health stigma and discrimination. Bobby speaks about how mental health distress can potentially affect anyone, so 4 in 4 not 1 in 4.

Each week Bobby is joined by a special guest. The podcast is a safe space to hear honest and insightful mental health interviews in the hope listeners will feel more empowered to continue the conversation, and debate the topics with others.

This podcast won The People’s Choice at the Podcast Awards in 2020. A new episode is published every Thursday, and as of today there are 179 episodes to choose from! Hours of really interesting listening covering topics from Stillness Meditation, to Trauma & Self Care, to Gender & Mental Health and so many more in between. Link to podcast.

We hope you enjoy dipping in and listening to some of these great podcasts. If you know any great mental health / wellbeing podcasts you would like to recommend, then we love to hear from you in the comments’ section below.

Happy listening!

Powys Dementia Network – a dementia diagnosis

The latest Powys Dementia Network event took place in late January 2021. As is the norm these days it was held online; the second time for this network due to the Covid pandemic. It was another great success, attracting a huge variety of organisations and individuals from across the county. These included people living with dementia and those caring for them, colleagues from Dementia Matters in Powys, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, Powys Teaching Health Board and Dyfed Powys Police to name just a few.

The theme this time was “Diagnosing Dementia.” The event was organised by our colleague, Sue Newham, the Engagement Officer in our Health & Wellbeing team, in partnership with Dementia Matters in Powys. They worked with other voluntary and statutory sector colleagues to bring some excellent information and discussion around the theme of dementia diagnosis to the afternoon.

As always we will try to capture some of the spirit and information from the event here, but if you would like to find out more and / or attend future events then please get in touch.

The previous online event, which took place in August last year, was also captured for the blog in Powys Dementia Network – first online event.

Supporting people to attend a Zoom network meeting for the first time

We were particularly pleased to welcome Shirley Humphries (pictured above), as she couldn’t attend the first online event due to technical issues on the day. Shirley lives in North Powys, is nearly 87, and has previously spoken about her experience of assessment for dementia at a Powys Dementia Network face-to-face event. However, this was her first online experience of the network, and we decided to ask how it went for her this time.

Shirley told us that her daughter, Sue, had arranged for her to have a different tablet which was better suited to using the Zoom app. The tablet was donated by a member of staff at PAVO, after she heard of Shirley’s Zoom issues!

“When it comes to using Zoom, I’m not that way inclined,” Shirley said, however, with support from her daughter, she was able to follow the meeting link on the tablet, join and take part in the Dementia Network event. Shirley is also enjoying attending the ‘Wiggle with a Giggle’ sessions on Zoom which are run by Dementia Matters in Powys – and the more Zoom events she attends the easier it gets to use the technology. “It’s all about learning what to do, for example sticking your hand up if you want to speak.”

Here are just a few of the key points raised in the different discussions that were held in the various Zoom break-out rooms. If you would like the full notes please contact Sue Newham.

Q & A sessions with Memory Clinic staff across Powys

These sessions allowed people to find out more about the dementia diagnosis pathway in Powys. Heather Wenban, the Dementia Lead for PTHB, is working to improve dementia care across Powys, and spoke about the dementia steering group which works to implement the Dementia Action Plan in Powys. (You can read the Dementia Action Plan for Wales). Powys seems to be quite proactive compared to other areas.

Heather added: “I would like to see one dementia service where people can access a diagnosis. Currently the referral has to come through the GP to rule out physical reasons for someone’s symptoms. Trying to put the right pathways in place is difficult because people are all different. It can be the person themselves that needs support, or people caring for them.”

Janet Davies is the Dementia Advisor for North Powys. She works with patients and families to help them get the support they want. She said: “The person might go to the GP with concerns. The GP will give an initial test and then make a referral to the memory diagnostic clinic, if it reaches a certain level. Whilst they are waiting, they will go for a scan, blood test and ECG (electrocardiogram). The consultant reviews it all and makes a diagnosis. The consultant also assesses whether the patient or family needs support and may refer to the Dementia Advisor.”

Heather Wenban and Kerry Phelps (Alzheimer’s Society Cymru) agreed to work together to create a booklet and information pack around the dementia diagnosis journey in Powys.

Shirley listens to Inspector Brian Jones at the Powys Dementia Network event - 3rd row, 3rd from the left

How can the diagnosis process be improved?

• In general, it was felt that people still don’t know enough about dementia and so there is a stigma around it. Dementia is not just about memory loss. Sometimes people are not being diagnosed with dementia because of mental health and other issues masking the problem.
• It is important to recognise that no two patients are the same, and a one size fits all approach just doesn’t work. However, there does need to be a seamless process of diagnosis, and the process needs to be explained to people so that they know what is going to happen and what to expect at each stage.
• People should be made aware that people are entitled to have an advocate supporting them at appointments, either a family member, friend or professional advocate.
• More support is needed during and after diagnosis. It would be good to have an information pack or wellbeing pack that supports the person with their dementia journey.
• Support workers should be available who can provide tailored support. Follow-up is extremely important. People need aftercare and the opportunity to ask questions.
• People need to be able to talk to someone who has been through it. People living with dementia connect more with other people who are living with dementia. Support groups are very important.

What stops people going to their doctor when they first notice symptoms of memory loss?

• Personal fears and attitudes, including fear of the unknown, of change, of perhaps moving to a care home, or of changes to relationships / friendships. Also the stigma relating to dementia can be a barrier.
• People may be in denial or scared that it is something other than dementia.
• Families may be worried about mentioning to their parents / relatives that they need to seek help, or to other family members that they have concerns about that person.
• Fear of losing independence, such as losing their driving licence in an isolated rural area.
• A lack of awareness that it is possible to live well at home with dementia.
• Access to GPs is perceived as being difficult, especially at this time, and the quality of the relationship with the GP may not be good.
• People may have differing viewpoints about dementia to the professional care service and may wish for a non-medicalised approach.

How can we make it easier for people?

• Raise awareness with a collaborative approach that involves statutory bodies, private sector, third sector and communities to provide support, remove stigma and raise awareness. We need to show that it’s alright to talk about memory loss and dementia.
• People need to be aware that memory problems may be associated with other conditions other than dementia. Putting off going to the GP can mean you don’t receive help with other illnesses.
• A wider campaign showing people in the early stages of dementia to alter people’s perception of what dementia is. Individuals living with dementia telling their story is one of the most powerful ways of reducing stigma around dementia. People can and do live well with dementia.
• Encourage and develop Dementia Friendly Communities.
• Provide information about where to seek help, diagnosis, and support through a wide variety of channels.
• A single point of contact would be good.
• Develop an online self-assessment checklist that people can run through which can tell them if they should seek further help.
• Zoom meetings / telephone conversations can be quicker for getting in contact with people because there is less travelling. With Zoom meetings, more people are able to attend. This option is not possible for everyone, however.
• Increase awareness of the Herbert Protocol to inform emergency services.

All in all this Powys Dementia Network event was an excellent afternoon of information sharing and discussions, and Shirley was able to take part throughout.

Heather Wenban added: “The information that you’ve gathered today, will feed into the next consultation for the Dementia Action Plan which is due to finish in 2022.”

The next Powys Dementia Network event is planned for Thursday 15th July, 2pm - 4pm. Sign up for Dementia Network emails and find out about future events by contacting Sue Newham, Engagement Officer at PAVO, by emailing sue.newham@pavo.org.uk or ringing 07739 984 233.

Brecon & District Mind - Introduction to a new Pilot Crisis Prevention Service

by guest author Val Walker
Chief Executive Officer at Brecon & District Mind

What is the service? – The purpose

This new service, from Brecon & District Mind in South Powys, will provide a place of safety when an individual is in mental health crisis but does not need a medical intervention or the support of inpatient services.

The service, which launches on Wednesday 3 February 2021, will provide support from suitably experienced and qualified crisis support staff in a safe, warm, and welcoming environment. Crisis support workers will be available in the centre to take initial calls from either the person in crisis or another agency wishing to refer into the service. Advice and support will either be conducted over the phone or in accordance with all current Coronavirus regulations, support may take place face to face in the centre.

Val Walker, CEO at Brecon & District Mind

Crisis support staff will carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment and a personal risk assessment with the person in crisis or their representative before agreement to attend the centre in person. The person in crisis will need to be able to make their own way in to the centre wherever possible.

When?

The service will operate 5 nights per week initially - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sundays from 7:30 - 10:30pm. Crisis workers will be available to take calls from 7pm via the crisis line – 01874 793118.

Where?

The service will operate at Brecon and District Mind’s Wellbeing centre in Brecon – Ty Croeso.

What can I expect?

• To be treated as an individual.
• To be listened to non-judgmentally to understand what matters to you.
• To be supported either by phone or face to face in the centre.
• To look at coping mechanisms and tools that will help you deal with your situation and the feelings leading to the crisis.
• To be signposted to a range of other services to support you following the moment of crisis.
• To be referred to the appropriate agencies should you need medical intervention or should you become a risk to yourself or to others.
• To find a place of safety where you can talk about your feelings and experience with staff and or peers who may have had/are having similar experiences.

Why are we doing this?

We are aware that many more people than ever are struggling with life’s difficulties and pressures. When life gets too difficult it can be hard to contain feelings and emotions that arise, which can lead to thoughts of self-harm and suicide. 

We want to provide a safe space where people can talk openly to skilled and experienced staff who understand to prevent situations escalating. Talking about how you feel without being judged, and feeling that you are being listened to,, is the first step to getting the support you need to help you through a difficult time.

Contact numbers 

Crisis Prevention Service: 01874 793118 

Brecon & District Mind office: 01874 611529 

Email: info@breconmind.org.uk