After struggling for 20 years caring for our son Adam the system suddenly found us as carers. We were picked up by Andrea Emmens (Family Interventions Co-ordinator, Newark and Bassetlaw MH Hospital) about 9 months ago. Now, we don't feel alone. We are not sure how Andrea got our names, we guess it was through our son's re-referral into Mental Health Services!
Now we meet once a month at the Carer's support group at Asda in Newark. As a positive outcome of this group we recently attended "The Trauma Informed Services" 1 day conference at Trent Vineyard in Nottingham - the future of mental health. From this event, we have reflected on the personal stories told which we found both moving yet inspiring, and for us mental health is about getting rid of labels and finding out how to find out what the root cause is rather than just treating it with medication. Talking therapies are the key! We like the carer's information pack entitled "Do you look after Someone? " because the title makes you want to read it as it asks a question and it's not preachy either.
We feel the Nhs is riddled with jargon and Andrea has provided us with a list of acronyms associated with NHS Mental Health Services. However, we still often get confused. We enjoy the support of the other members in the Newark group because we don't feel alone anymore. We share our stories and that helps. Our son doesn't live with us anymore. He lives in Newark, but it still helps to know that we can use this service and Andrea has been a great source of information and we are sure that should we need to re-refer our son (he's now been discharged) to mental health services in case of a relapse, then we know we could count on her for support.
Some good points
Not feeling alone anymore
Outside speakers at the support group
There is a car park near by
Trauma informed services conference
Some bad points
upstairs and often noisy
Most NHS buildings are not appropriate
No lift in ASDA- needs to be on ground floor
No reception area in Newark Northgate
NHS is is riddled with jargon
No out of hours crisis team in Newark
Nowhere to sit at reception areas
We are only a small group-how could we advertise this?
The room we meet in is not private
The time we meet is at lunch time
Use warm colouring in reception area
We would like to thank Andrea Emmens and Sue Clipson for their support.
: )
"Now we don't feel alone"
About: Bassetlaw Hospital / Ward B2 Bassetlaw Hospital Ward B2 S81 0BD
Posted by Trany4 (as ),
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