My 2022 journey with Ponthafren

 

Here in Powys our mental health charities do some absolutely amazing work!

For our final post this 2022 we find out more about the impact of Ponthafren’s One to One Recovery Project from a recent client.

Where do I start? Maybe a bit of background?

In 2019 I was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI) and advised to medically retire by the Neuropsychologist. I didn’t feel ready at that time and the Neuropsychologist himself retired leaving me to negotiate my diagnosis and progression myself.

Fast forward to 2021. Having worked through the pandemic as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, providing support and training to staff as well as initiating new protocols and treatments, I was finding things more and more difficult. I was feeling the effects of my TBI and was afraid of making a mistake or killing a patient.

At the age of 55, having worked as a nurse for 26 years, I made the difficult decision to retire and in December 2021 I was awarded a Level 2 medical retirement on 31.12.2021. This had two effects. First, it confirmed I had made the right decision but secondly, it also meant that I was no longer a nurse, had no purpose and no support to help me navigate the TBI effects and how my life was changing. I was a failure.

During early 2022 I was struggling to obtain my pension from the NHS due to a previous employer who had not completed the appropriate paperwork. I was unaware of any benefits I was entitled to, and I was also unable to navigate the communication with the pensions department, ex-employer, etc, due to my poor cognitive abilities and labile emotions. (Basically, I just fell apart when trying to talk to anyone).

After 3 months of trying to navigate everything on my own my mental health had deteriorated to such an extent that I thought the world would be a better place without me in it. I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to for advice or support. The Neuropsychologist was never replaced in our area, and whilst the GP was supportive he was unable to provide any help. I couldn’t talk to my family as I didn’t want to be a burden. I cried if anyone talked to me, I felt a failure and worthless, I didn’t know how to negotiate my own life, who I was or who I wanted to be. I was withdrawn, lonely and felt a failure.

I was aware of Ponthafren, the mental health charity in North Powys, as I had provided some training there in the past. However, I really didn’t feel they were for me as I had some preconceived ideas as to the clientele. I certainly wasn’t sure what they could do - if anything - to help me, but I had to try something or I would not have been able to go on.

So I contacted Ponthafren and within a few weeks they had offered me an appointment to discuss my needs and see if they could offer support. I wasn’t hopeful! Then I met my One to One Recovery Worker. I don’t think I got through the first few meetings without being a complete mess! Crying, unable to find the words I needed and being withdrawn.

Over time my One to One Worker helped me to navigate the pensions; she also spoke/emailed the ex-employer and helped support me to apply for benefits. She gave me the reassurance that I was not beyond help and provided emotional as well as practical support. I could not have done it without her.

Through my One to One Worker’s support and encouragement I was able to access some counselling and to attend a gardening group. Initially being part of the group was difficult. I was unable to concentrate fully on what was happening as I struggled in a group, especially if more than one person was talking. I was unable to keep up with processing the information and I felt I didn’t belong. Also I cried… a lot! But I persevered.

When we transferred to volunteer at another large local garden overseen by a charity I couldn’t even get out of the car! I couldn’t work out how to park…. I didn’t know how to find the toilets. I didn’t know anyone and felt out of place. Every time I saw one of the other volunteers I broke down and cried, but still I persevered.

Slowly, with encouragement, I was able to attend other groups and not fall apart. I still have mini meltdowns and get fatigued, and my emotions overwhelm me on occasion, but I now have a purpose. I feel welcomed by all at Ponthafren and would be lost without them.

Fast forward 9 months

I am now a regular volunteer with Ponthafren. I also attend Mindfulness once a month, Singing for Well-being on a Tuesday, Yoga on a Wednesday, and Gardening on a Thursday.

Recently I was asked to facilitate the gardening group to enable it to carry on as Adult Learning Wales were unable to continue providing support. I didn’t think I could do it, but with the encouragement and support I have received, and continue to receive, I have become a volunteer for the charity’s garden as well as for Ponthafren. I can converse with the group effectively; I have attended meetings with regards to the group, and although there were a few teething problems initially I feel I am now able to steer the group and help it to grow for other members of Ponthafren and people just like me because of my One to One Worker and the rest of the team at Welshpool.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have meltdowns and cry on occasion, but I am generally better able to recognise when I need to step away and when I need to ask for help from others. This is without doubt a definite growth for me. I have a purpose, I have somewhere that people ‘see me’ and accept me for all my faults along with some strengths that I have been able to develop along this journey.

I really can’t put into words how much finding Ponthafren has helped me and changed my life this year. If it wasn’t for my One to One worker and the amazing team at Welshpool, I wouldn’t be here in December 2022.

I hope to be able to continue to give back to Ponthafren and be an asset to them, to be able to help and support others in my own slightly broken way as a volunteer. Ponthafren is for everyone who needs a little support or has been a little bit damaged just because of life! If I could change one thing it would be the misguided pre-conceptions that some people have, myself included, around what Ponthafren is, who it can help and what they can offer. I sing their praise from the roof top when able and have pointed a couple of people in their direction already.

Finally, I would like to say THANK YOU, you really do not know how you have saved me and enhanced my life. Keep doing what you all do so well.

Find out more about Ponthafren’s One to One Recovery project.

Games for Wellbeing

by David Granero  

Project Coordinator

Modern board games have come a long way. They are engaging, accessible, inclusive and tickle parts of our brains in the most delightful way. I am not talking about old games like Monopoly or Cluedo, which rank at the bottom of the list of over 23,500 board games (to date). The mechanics of modern board games allow players full control of actions, balancing of decisions and a sprinkle of luck in the mix.

I have played board games for many years. I am part of a gaming group that meets weekly, where we try a plethora of new games and replay classic ones. In 2019 I had a severe mental health breakdown and our weekly gaming meetings became a life saver for me. It was then that I discovered the benefits of having a supportive social environment and started researching the mental health benefits of board games. I did a mental health first aid course and created Games for Wellbeing.

In December 2019 Comic Relief granted a small fund to pilot Games for Wellbeing in Llanidloes in North Powys (supported by LLANI Ltd). The first two sessions were well received (15-20 participants), but then the pandemic hit. The project tried to adapt by becoming a library of games and as restrictions eased it was hosted again face to face at the Hanging Gardens in the town.

At present Games for Wellbeing is looking for funding to expand into a permanent library of games at the Hanging Gardens, and to focus on the younger generations by bringing in role playing games and graphic novels. It runs every Thursday from 6-9pm and, as always, it is free for everyone.

Feedback from participants

“I’ve learned of new games, met new people and been entertained. The evenings have helped me feel less isolated and more a part of the community.” - Lawrence R

“I enjoy coming to the games evening as I live on my own so it does me good to come and socialise and learn new games. I really look forward to coming each week.” (sic) Marian H

“I absolutely love these game evenings. I’ve discovered so many new games and stretched my brain and had lovely evenings with people I’ve just met; and we’re all having a great time!” - Keran

“Well the games evening is amazing. It really helps the community for people to come out and to socialise. And to learn and play new games and it really helps intellectually. I hope the Games Evening will carry on. It means a lot to have them once a week.” - (sic) Elsa C.J.

Find out more

Games for Wellbeing Facebook page

email: gamesforwellbeing@gmail.com

Christmas - singing for mental health and wellbeing

Christmas carols with the PAVO mental health team

Whatever you think of Christmas it seems singing Christmas carols / songs could be good for your mental health and wellbeing.

Indeed, research has shown that group singing in particular is good for health generally. So, as choirs and singing groups throughout Powys gear up for the Christmas season, we decided to find out more about what exactly the benefits of group singing can be. And to do that, we hand over to those that know - some of the singers and choristers from a few Powys choirs and singing groups!

Castle Belles ladies’ singing group - Ceri Williams

I’ve been in the Castle Belles singing group of Castle Caereinion for 10 years now. We sing in English, Welsh and sometimes even Italian! We are not a traditional choir - we perform musical theatre mainly and carols at this time of year. We meet once a week on Tuesdays and are looking for new mezzos if anyone is interested! Over the years we have raised £25,000 + for different charities.

I believe that everyone can sing - if you think you can’t you just haven’t found your place yet. Besides which you’d be drowned out in our group!

Singing in a group produces feel-good neurotransmitters. It’s a primal thing. But you can definitely feel it. I get goosebumps singing in harmony. It’s fantastic for me. Plus, to sing in a group is very supportive. We have members who have lost partners and family members. We make friends and have shared interests. Every year we take the train for a social and meal in Shrewsbury and enjoy a big singalong on the train for the return trip!

Find out more on the Castle Belles Facebook page.

Photo credit: Sian Gwyn

Bracken Trust Singers - Chris Clarke, Leader

Our members are a very varied group of ages from mid-fifties to 92 years of age! We have singles and couples, men and women, people with cancer, people who recovered from cancer, people who have lost beloved family members to cancer and Covid. But, above all, we are a happy and sociable group who love to share our time singing and making friends.

We have performed recently for Dementia Matters in Powys. People who live with dementia respond really well to music from their era. We have since welcomed four visitors from their group who are hoping to join us each week to sing along.

Performing for Dementia Matters in Powys

“This is why we sing”, a song we included in one of our CDs, contains apt lyrics for anyone who enjoys singing: Music can tear down walls which we may have built around ourselves when feeling vulnerable and alone.

Singing enhances our breathing and lung capacity. It strengthens our core. It lightens our hearts. It brings us comfort when we most need it. It strengthens our memory.

Singing in a group encourages us to make friendships, to share stories and sometimes confidences which we feel we cannot always share with our dearest family when we are battling with illness.

Singing releases pent-up feelings. We often listen to songs which have profound meaning for us and we love to learn to sing them because expressing the words and sentiments help to improve our mental well-being.

Singing can give pleasure to others which then gives us pleasure, too. Singing in a group helps build our confidence. I know that in our group, The Bracken Trust Singers, we need our weekly dose of singing together and meeting everyone. It takes us out of the house, out of our daily lives with its cares and problems. That weekly dose is our medicine.

Find out more on The Bracken Trust's Facebook page.

Cantorion Llandrindod Wells - Hilary Cox, Musical Director

'Singing is a very special enterprise. We sing before we can speak, it costs nothing and requires no equipment. It helps us breathe in the best way and is a total physical and mental workout. It is one of those rare activities which engages both hemispheres of the brain, forging new connections and engaging our learning most powerfully. Singing with others has a powerful effect on mood and wellbeing. When those others are friendly and welcoming, the benefits multiply.’

No wonder that singing is increasingly recognised as a way to support and improve mental health for us all. A study by the Sidney De Haan Research Centre in Folkestone found that after 3 months of weekly singing, the singing groups showed statistically significant improvements both in generalised mental health and a reduction in depression.

Choir members of Cantorion in Llandrindod will vouch for the benefits of singing together. Members new to the area have found a welcome and all of us enjoy making something special happen each week at our rehearsals.

Find out more on the Cantorion Llandrindod website.

Hafren Community Choir - Charlotte Woodford

Group singing is highly beneficial for mental and emotional well-being. Choir members often report back how important it is for reducing anxiety, commonly sharing that for those two hours they think of nothing at all but enjoying themselves. The singing gets oxytocin, endorphins and serotonin moving through the body – our natural painkillers and healers, these also have a great hand in lifting our spirits.

The shared experience of singing is powerful, and facilitates other lovely times together - the tea break at Choir is an essential part of the whole evening, as is going on trips – locally or further afield. We are off to Limerick this summer to visit a host choir and have them back to Newtown in September. Singing opens everybody up, relaxes us, makes us laugh and take joy in what we are creating together, which has a knock-on effect on the forming of long-lasting friendships and a deeply supportive network within our community.

Contact Charlotte 07828 413 484 / charlotte@lifebulb.org for more info about the Hafren and Llanidloes Community Choirs, Singing for Lung Health & Baby Music.

Rhayader Voices in Unity - Lynda Birch

I sing with the Rhayader choir Voices in Unity. I love to hear the sound of our voices coming together to produce a sound that is a combination of our individual voices. I feel uplifted and part of something that gives pleasure to the many people who come to our concerts. I particularly like hearing the harmonies develop from our early practice sessions to the finished performance. It literally takes my breath away.

Find out more on the Voices in Unity Facebook page.

Cathy's Angels

Ponthafren Singing for Wellbeing - Cathy Beech

I am a singer/songwriter and vocal coach and for over 22 years I've been working towards demonstrating how singing frees your spirit and your mind to become who you want to be. It is a fallacy to believe it is for the few. I read somewhere recently that a study had been conducted and 96% of people can sing, that includes you, it is very unlikely that you can't sing, there has to be something really wrong for you to not be able to sing. The simple truth is, you have been trained to believe you can't sing and that is inhibiting. 

For the last 6 years I have been working on a program of Singing for Wellbeing in Newtown and Welshpool and it has become very successful. I use my program to help people at Ponthafren get their mental health back on track - it is an amazing facility for this. I also use my techniques with my own choirs and workshops and the difference it makes in people's lives is just inspiring for our community of singers, it truly opens mental doors.

The Teen Believers

As a vocal coach, I have witnessed the strength that people find deep within themselves once they have found their voice to do the one thing they always wanted. The power of singing together in front of people and sharing your voice is without doubt more important than we could even imagine right now. It's a life changer, a beautiful vibration that lifts and brings people together. But when we use it to discover ourselves then fear melts into a pool where the sun shines and a rainbow is born. You need to feel the vibration of sound. Go and join that choir, that vocal workshop. Sing that open mic church event. Be a part of your community, both performer and spectator. Free your voice. You will never look back. 

My classes are run from the Armoury in Welshpool throughout school term time on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can find out more details on my website. 

Choirs for Good - Tiffany Evans

Choirs For Good was set up by a group of like-minded choir leaders who wanted to use the power of choirs and group singing to connect and empower people and communities. Singing is a universal and instinctive part of what makes us human, yet it does not always feel accessible; we want to change that. Singing in a choir is about transforming one's life for the better, meeting people, forming bonds and new friendships and finding support through music, as well as creating wonderful opportunities and memories to cherish forever.

Singing together is about much more than singing itself. Choirs are communities of people from all backgrounds, with all the richness and life-experience that combining large groups of people together can bring. Communities are a powerful force for change, and we believe that by placing choirs at the heart of local communities it has the potential to do good for society. Our choirs are open to all who wish to join, we are welcoming members throughout the year and always happy to meet new people and attend new events, bringing music to those who need it. Our tag line is Do Good, Feel Good, For Good.

Llanidloes choir meet weekly on a Monday evening, what better way to start the week than by being enveloped in live music and laughter? Find out more on the Choirs for Good website. 

Alive & Kickin' Community Choir - Tanya Walker

As a classically trained singer, songwriter and composer I have been leading several choirs for 10 years now. I founded and lead the Alive & Kickin’ Community Choir Brecon and the Lunchtime Uplift Choir at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon. My choirs sing songs from all over the world including popular, contemporary and original material.

I have witnessed first hand over the years the transformational power that singing in a choir has had on the lives of participants - whether that be observing the power of singing as a catalyst to heal the wounded heart of someone recently widowed, or providing a valuable focal point and lifeline to someone recovering from extreme depression. My experience tells me that singing enhances the health and wellbeing of participants whilst also encouraging a more positive perspective on life.

My choirs also serve as vital friendship networks for the lonely and have provided a precious trip down memory lane for participants with dementia who can remember words from a song from their teenage years but can’t recognise the faces of their own family.

In some ways it is hard to put into words how music and singing together heals - except to say in every session I lead I see people coming into choir feeling one way - and witness everyone (with no exceptions) leaving feeling ‘uplifted’ from the day to day struggles of every day life.

Find out more on the Alive & Kickin' Facebook page or ring Tanya on 07723 016 837.

If you sing in a choir or singing group and feel it benefits your mental health we would love to hear from you in the comments box below.

A peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers near and far

Online therapy service supporting young minds

In October 2022, the SilverCloud online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) service opened its virtual doors to help children, young people and parents across Wales manage their mental wellbeing. The SilverCloud team explains how to access the service in Powys and offers some tips to support the young people in your life.

Home schooling and pandemic lockdowns may seem like a distant memory now that we’ve (largely) returned to “normal“, yet the challenges of the past few years are having a lasting impact on our younger generation.

According to research by NHS Digital, 1 in 6 children and young people had a diagnosable mental health condition in 2021, such as anxiety or low mood. This is up from 1 in 9 in 2017.

Early intervention and support can help young people build the emotional skills that are vital for learning, life and good mental health in future.

SilverCloud has supported over 33,000 people in Wales since launching its self-referral programmes for adults in September 2020. Following a successful pilot in Powys this year, young people throughout Wales, and their parents/carers, can now access a suite of CBT-based online support programmes to help with mild-to-moderate anxiety and low mood.

• Parents and carers can sign up for a free 12-week online therapy programme for help in supporting children and young people aged 4-18 with mild-to-moderate anxiety.
• Teens aged 16-18 throughout Wales can sign up to our self-referral service directly via their mobile, tablet or laptop - without needing adult consent - for support with mild-to-moderate anxiety or low mood.
• Young people aged 11+ in Powys can be referred into SilverCloud by Powys Teaching Health Board Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Powys County Council Education, Youth Service, Youth Intervention Service, Youth Justice and Early Help.

Making the service available to children, young people and their parents/ carers enables thousands more people to get early access to support when they need it.

Psychological Assistant and Clinical Online CBT Coordinator, Jess Ferdinando, explains how SilverCloud can help:

“The past couple of years have been particularly difficult for children and their families. As well as navigating the usual stresses of growing up, young people are still living with the impacts of a global health crisis.

“Supporting children and young people who are struggling with their mental health can be challenging. SilverCloud offers practical, clinically proven help for young people to manage anxiety and low mood as well as help for parents/carers in supporting them.

“Our pilot of the children’s and young person’s service has already had a positive impact in Powys, so I’m thrilled we’ve been able to extend this support to young people and their families throughout Wales.

“All our programmes are packed with useful insights, practical tools and activities to empower young people to manage their problems and apply what they learn in their daily lives.

“It’s supportive, too! We like to call it online therapy with a human touch because every client is assigned a SilverCloud supporter; this is an online CBT coordinator who guides the client through the programme and provides regular personalised feedback.

“One of the great things about SilverCloud is its flexibility; you can access the therapy programmes from any online device and work through them at your own pace, which makes it easier to fit around your life. For the best results, we recommend that people access their SilverCloud programme 3-4 times each week for 15-20 minutes each time.”

Tips for Parents Supporting a Child with Anxiety

“If your child or teen is experiencing anxiety,” continues Jess, “there’s lots you can do as a parent or carer to help them. This includes taking care yourself too! I’ve put together a few tips for parents and carers:

1. Keep your cool. Seeing your child in distress can be upsetting. You could feel a range of emotions including sadness, frustration and even anger over what your child is going through. These are all normal responses to a challenging situation. You’re in a much better position to make sensible parenting decisions when you’re calm, as opposed to reacting emotionally.
2. Remember to take time out for yourself to relax. Have you heard the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup”? It means that for us to take care of others, we also need to take care of ourselves. This is especially important if you’re helping a child who is struggling with their mental health. If you can, take some time out to do something you enjoy.
3. Listen to your child. You may instinctively want to take action to fix whatever is causing your child to feel anxious. Sometimes, you don’t need to have the answers or fix it; take time to listen to your child and understand the situation. You child is more likely to confide in you if they feel seen and heard and know you will listen to them without judgement or criticism.
4. Find support for yourself from professionals and other trusted adults. As a parent or carer, it’s natural to want to support your child during difficult times. Remember that you need support too. You don’t have to go it alone; reach out to trusted friends, family members or healthcare professionals if you’re struggling.
5. Work together as a team – you’re stronger together!”

What programmes are available?

SilverCloud programmes are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based therapy that works by encouraging young people to challenge the way they think and behave to become better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.

There are five specially designed Children & Young People (CYP) programmes available on SilverCloud; three for young people and two for parents:

• Space from Anxiety can help young people understand their anxiety and learn skills to help them cope better.
• Space from Low Mood can help young people to understand and manage symptoms of low mood.
• Space from Anxiety and Low Mood can help young people understand and manage symptoms of anxiety and low mood.
• Supporting an Anxious Child helps parents and carers of children aged 4-11 in understanding and managing their anxiety.
• Supporting an Anxious Teen helps parents and carers of young people aged 12-18 in understanding and managing their anxiety.

How to access help for young people in Powys

People in Powys have two ways to access SilverCloud’s tailored support programmes for children, young people and parents.

1. Self-Referral – available throughout Wales

Anyone aged 16+ can sign up to a SilverCloud programme online via our self-referral service; this means you can sign-up directly without needing to be referred by a GP or healthcare professional.

Choose one of the easy-to-use, interactive online mental health and wellbeing programmes to complete over 12 weeks and receive fortnightly feedback from your online SilverCloud Supporter, one of the mental health professionals whose role is to support users of the service.

All of our adult programmes are open to individuals over 16; we recommend that young people aged 16-18 choose one of our CYP programmes which have been developed with young people in mind. Young people aged 16+ can sign up to a SilverCloud programme independently of a parent.

• Space From Anxiety (CYP) – for young people aged 16-18.
• Space From Low Mood (CYP) – for young people aged 16-18.
• Space From Anxiety and Low Mood (CYP) – for young people aged 16-18.
• Supporting an Anxious Child (parents/carers of children aged 4-11).
• Supporting an Anxious Teen (parents/carers of young people aged 12-18).

2. Referred service (Powys residents only)

In Powys, young people aged 11+ have unique access to our CYP programmes through our referred service. Access to these programmes is only available to young people below the age of 16 following a referral to SilverCloud by one of the following teams:

• PTHB Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS);
• PCC Education, Youth Service, Youth Intervention Service, Youth Justice, Early Help.

Programmes available through our referred service:

• Space From Anxiety (CYP) – for young people aged 11-18.
• Space From Low Mood (CYP) – for young people aged 11-18.
• Space From Anxiety and Low Mood (CYP) – for young people aged 11-18.
• Supporting an Anxious Child (parents/carers of children aged 4-11).
• Supporting an Anxious Teen (parents/carers of young people aged 12-18.

Want to know more about SilverCloud in Wales and online CBT?

If you have any queries, please email Silver.Cloud@Wales.nhs.uk

To sign up, visit: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SilvercloudW

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilverCloudWales

Stress Awareness Week 2022 & Powys Cost of Living Hub

This week, 7 - 11 November, is International Stress Awareness Week which is organised by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA).

Stress is defined by the Mental Health Foundation as “the degree to which you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope as a result of pressures that are unmanageable”.

The theme of Stress Awareness Week this year is “Working Together to Build Resilience & Reduce Stress”. Organisations throughout Powys are currently working very closely together to help support people through the Cost of Living Crisis - there is further information in the second half of this blog post.

Meanwhile, to start us off with some top tips about how to relieve stress, we spoke to one of our Powys Mental Health Individual Representatives*, John Lilley. He told us what has worked for him when dealing with stresses in his day-to-day life.

*The Individual Representatives are people who have either used, or care for somebody who has used, mental health services. These unpaid volunteers sit on regional and national partnership boards, alongside professionals who are involved in the delivery of services. 

The reps are there to make sure user / carer voice is included in the planning of services and they are always on hand to listen to your experiences and issues so that they can feed this back to the partnership groups. You can contact the reps by emailing the Participation Officer Owen Griffkin on owen.griffkin@pavo.org.uk or calling 01597 822191.

John Lilley - Powys Individual Representative Mental Health

I found the 8 week Mindfulness course I took with Mid & North Powys Mind very helpful. There is a new online course currently on offer - An Introduction to Quantum Consciousness Therapy which starts on 14 November and runs for 4 weeks with John Paul.

There is also a half-day session on the Five Ways to Wellbeing - which includes reflection and creating personal goals to put the Five Ways into practice in your own life. You can also find out more about the Five Ways to Wellbeing on the Powys Mental Health website.

Previously I benefited from taking exercise classes in Rhayader as part of the Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme. Clients of the Community Mental Health team can be referred for safe and effective community-based exercise opportunities. This includes:

• Healthy lifestyle advice as appropriate in partnership with the CMHT.
• Promoting and improving the mental and physical well-being of clients.
• Increasing clients’ physical activity on a long-term basis.

I also want to raise awareness of the excellent work that is being done to support 

children and young people with positive mental health in Powys. 

Here are three initiatives I want to highlight:

Thinking about options for younger age groups, Mindfulness is now offered to children and young people in Powys schools. You can find out more about this from Linda Gutierrez, Emotional Health & Wellbeing Lead in the Powys County Council Pupil Referral Service, by watching this short video.

Ysgol Calon Cymru - the school at the heart of Wales - has two campuses - in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells. Earlier this year the school won a Wellbeing Award for achieving A National Standard for Positive Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing for their wellbeing support and helpful resources for both pupils and parents / carers.

Kooth, the online mental wellbeing community for children and young people, offers a lot of good online support, with a mental wellbeing community.

Children and young people across the whole of Mid and West Wales can now access Kooth’s service as both Powys Teaching Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Board work with Kooth to provide an online counselling and emotional wellbeing service for this age group. Kooth provides a blended approach of online counselling, support, and advice to young people, which is free, safe, and anonymous by friendly counsellors.

Finally, I also like this edited list of tips from Peter Beresford’s* book "Being a Mental Health Service User”:

• One thing at a time.
• Try to live day by day, one step at a time.
• Don't anticipate troubles and problems (living in the moment).
• Give yourself the same advice you'd give others.
• All things pass - including the bad things.
• No one is less than me. I am not less than them.
• We can get real help and support from others. But the people we can feel closest to, and who offer the most natural understanding and mutual aid, are people who have 'been there' like us.

* Peter Beresford OBE is a long-term user of mental health services and Co-Chair of Shaping our Lives, the national independent service user-controlled organisation and network. He is also Professor Emeritus of Social Policy at Brunel University London and Visiting Professor at Edge Hill University and the University of East Anglia.

Cost of living crisis and your mental health

Here are some links to other services / online resources that could be of help at this difficult time.

Mental Health & Money Advice

Mental Health & Money Advice is a UK-wide online advice service designed to help you understand, manage and improve your financial and mental health. Difficulties in resolving financial matters can exacerbate mental health distress leading to a vicious cycle of increased stress and worry. Find online support, expert advice, tools and calculators, template letters, real life stories and much more on the website.

Mental Health & Money Advice has been developed by Mental Health UK, a UK-wide charity that represents its four member charities; Rethink Mental Illness in England, Adferiad Recovery in Wales, Support in Mind in Scotland and MindWise in Northern Ireland.

Welsh Government

On the Welsh Government website Get help with the cost of living you can find out more about living costs, housing, financial help, benefits entitlement, school and childcare expenses, and health & wellbeing.

Powys County Council - Cost of living hub

Powys County Council has launched a campaign to help support residents and businesses with the rising cost of living.

The council has worked closely with local partner organisations to pull together a wide range of information in one place to ensure people know what help is already available and how to access it.

The online hub, which can be found at www.powys.gov.uk/costofliving, has been created to offer as much advice as possible to those in Powys who may need it during this time.

The #CostOfLiving campaign aims to provide information and advice on:

• Household energy advice.
• Money, benefits and debt advice.
• Powys foodbanks.
• Support with household utility bill.
• Support for businesses.
• Support for families with children.

Powys Family Information Service

The Powys Youth and Family Information Service is a one-stop shop where parents, carers, young people and professionals can obtain a range of information for children and young people aged 0-25 years and their families. The team recently produced an excellent guide to support available to people on a range of issues in relation to the cost of living crisis.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice, the independent information and advice service, has extensive information on its website relating to the cost of living crisis.

If you have any tips and ideas about how to deal with stress and the current cost of living crisis then please let us know in the comments section below.

Shared Power - an introduction

The Health and Wellbeing Team at Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations is pleased to announce the launch of a new animation film called "Shared Power - An Introduction".

PAVO’s Mental Health Participation Officer, Owen Griffkin, who worked on pulling together the different elements of the film, explains why this was an important subject to make a film about.

For some time now PAVO has delivered training to the service user and carer representatives who sit on the local health and wellbeing partnership boards. These people have a seat on the boards to provide a voice for anyone who uses these services and their input is vital to ensuring a health service that is fit for purpose and effective. We called this training ‘Shared Power’ training and it was designed to give people confidence and knowledge when taking part in high level planning meetings.

When we delivered this training we would often look at the nature of power, and how different types of power interact with each other. One of the theories we discussed was called the POWERCUBE, which expanded on previous theories around the different forms of power. We found that this theory often provoked some interesting discussions, although it could sometimes seem quite daunting when presented in a training session. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to apply for a training grant from the Powys Area Planning Board, we thought that making a short film looking at this theory might be useful in future training courses. 

We also wanted to aim the film at professionals who sit on these boards, so that they could avoid some of the barriers presented by power imbalances that might exclude service users and carers from engaging with co-production opportunities.

We were successful with the funding so we began working with current representatives from the main health and wellbeing partnership boards to get their input on how the film should progress. (These boards include the Mental Health Planning and Development Partnership, the Regional Partnership Board and the Area Planning Board).

We thought an animation might be a good way to highlight the important points, using the opinions and voices of current and past reps, and we hoped to involve the reps in all creative aspects of the film-making process. We worked with Jim Elliott, a Powys-based animator and musician, and I held interviews where possible with the reps so we could use their voices (and likenesses). Unfortunately we were now in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown so some of the original ideas were hard to do, and the reps weren’t able to be as ‘hands-on’ with the animation as we wanted to, but they still had input into the look and feel of the film.

We had discussed some of the old 1970s Open University graphics as a starting point for the aesthetic of the animation, and decided on a ‘stop-motion’ process to animate the talking head pieces. We also ensured there was a full Welsh version and worked with a local actor from Mid Powys Youth Theatre to provide the Welsh narration.

The initial reaction has been really good, and we plan to use the film in future training sessions as a way to break up the day and provide a break to whoever is leading the training. We hope that other organisations in Wales might want to use the film as well. To help with this we also produced some training materials that can be downloaded from the Powys Mental Health website - Shared Power additional materials.

If you would like to know more about the shared power training please contact mentalhealth@pavo.org.uk

You can view the films in English:

And Welsh:

World Mental Health Day 2022 – Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority

This year we celebrate World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October. 

The World Federation for Mental Health is the driver behind this important awareness day.

“World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness in the global community about the critical mental health agendas – with a unifying voice through collaboration with various partners – to take action and to create lasting change through the messages we promote.”

The theme this year is “Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority”.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fuelling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened."   

World Health Organisation

What can we learn from the rest of the world about good mental health services?

Open Dialogue in Finland

The name Open Dialogue was first used in 1995 to describe two key features of the approach: the use of open family / network meetings and a set of principles for organising the whole psychiatric system that made dialogue possible.

The Open Dialogue approach was originally developed in Western Lapland in Finland by Jaakko Seikkula and colleagues. They wanted to create a crisis service in which families and mental health services worked closely with the person experiencing the crisis and generate better outcomes for patients experiencing psychosis than those resulting from use of antipsychotic medication.

According to the Open Dialogue UK website: “If the family / team can bear the extreme emotion in a crisis situation, and tolerate the uncertainty, in time shared meaning usually emerges and healing / recovery is possible.”

The results of this approach are clear from the statistics – about 75% of those who experienced psychosis return to work or study within 2 years and only about 20% are still taking antipsychotic medication at 2 year follow-up.

As American journalist Robert Whitaker concluded in his book Anatomy of an Epidemic: “Western Lapland in Finland has adopted a form of care for its psychotic patients that has produced astonishingly good long-term outcomes.”

Read more here.

The Italian Trieste mental health model inspired by Franco Basaglia

The mental healthcare model in the port of Trieste, in north east Italy, is based on the theories of the reforming psychiatrist Franco Basaglia. Franco believed that psychiatry in large institutions unfairly ostracised people with mental problems and the area has seen a radical switch to community based care over the years. It is often called a “whole system – whole community” approach.

Basaglia died prematurely in 1980, but his team continued to develop and support his innovative approach to mental health care over the next three decades. The approach includes looking at the whole person and also their social background when considering what support someone needs.

“Historically, Trieste pioneered the shift from relationships based on domination / control to the therapeutic relationship seen as reciprocal, based on rediscovering the whole person.” Roberto Mezzino, MD

“While it is not without controversy, supporters of the Trieste system in Italy and around the world say that it is more humane, more effective, and even economically more viable.”

Political upheavals in recent years have reportedly put the approach at risk and people have organised petitions as recently as 2021 to try and protect the Trieste model.

Read more here.

Norway medication free mental health services

In 2016 regional health authorities in Norway were instructed by health minister Bent Hoie to provide medication-free treatment wards as an option for mental health patients. This followed years of forced treatment and forced isolation in mental health facilities. For some time, there had been considerable debate in Norway about the effectiveness and adverse effects of using antipsychotic medication, and individuals had long campaigned for change. While medication-free treatment is available in some other countries, Norway became the first country in the world to embed it as an option in the state-run mental healthcare system.

Dr Magnus Hald took on the job of running the new drug-free hospital in Tronsko in North Norway. "The idea of evidence-based medicine is difficult within mental health as a whole, although it's of course an aim that we should have. At the same time, we know that diagnoses in psychiatry are just a classification system. Even though you give a person a diagnosis of schizophrenia, you do not see any malfunction in the brain besides what you experience by engaging in a conversation with the person. You cannot see anything on the CT or the MRI images."

Whilst the debate continues in Norway about the pros and cons of medication free treatment, there is more patient choice now and according to research greatly improved trust between people seeking support and their therapists which can result in better outcomes.

Read more here.

Making mental health a priority in Wales – what’s happening now

Young people and mental health

Mental health and wellbeing will be one of the main focuses of the Welsh Youth Parliament over the next two years as the parliament stands up for the issues that matter most to young people in Wales.

Together for Mental Health

Together for Mental Health is a cross-government strategy setting out Welsh Government’s goals for improving mental health and mental health services in Wales. It is the first Mental Health Strategy that covers all ages; children and young people, adults of working age and older people.

This strategy is currently being evaluated nationally, and a new updated strategy will then be produced.

A Powys priority

Until such time as the new Together for Mental Health National Strategy is produced, Powys will continue to drive on its stated priorities. These priorities are identified in this document – T4MH Priorities.

Mental Health is also one of the Big Four health issues facing the county as identified in the Powys Health & Care Strategy. Powys Teaching Health Board says: “We will develop effective services to treat and support people suffering from the four main causes of ill health and premature mortality in Powys (which includes mental health problems).”

If you know of an interesting mental health initiative or approach from somewhere around the globe, we’d love to hear from you. Comment below or send us an email at mentalhealth@pavo.org.uk