I received a question on the comment section of my last blog post - I was asked what Health and Wellbeing Boards are, and what is the concept of public health all about? It was one of those jolly good questions which focus the mind - I had been meaning to update the last post anyway because I knew it lacked clarity, but now I will just write a new one instead.
Here, in a bit of a cop-out, is a link to the Department of Health page about the new Health and Wellbeing Boards, which will take on their responsibilites from April 2013: http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/hwb-guide/
And here is a link to some information about ImROC (which is a project to help services focus on recovery within mental health treatment):
http://www.nhsconfed.org/Networks/MentalHealth/projects-and-resources/imroc/Pages/What-is-ImROC.aspx
Basically, insitutional change is afoot in the mental health system - hurray! And, in my opinion, those of us with an interest in such matters should try to get involved to ensure that real change takes place on the ground. This is our opportunity. The Boards do not have to accept service-user input, but almost certainly will do so - if approached properly and politely (note to self- behave nicely!). Certainly judging by the fact that I was allowed to join the ImROC webinar and that my questions during it were taken seriously, I would say that people with lived experience who can suggest improvements to the current system will be welcomed.
I say it is a bit of a cop-out just to provide links to the relevant pages, because I would like to digest and rephrase all of the information they provide as clearly as possible, but I just don't have the time today.
However, all the necessary information is on those pages, and more can be discovered by following the links on them. As for public health, in answer to the same comment, the definition I have found is that it relates to the protection and improvement of the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles and research to prevent disease and injury.
Because I was away from my family last weekend, I am playing catch-up now. I am determined to spend more time with the kids (trying to only work while they are at school or asleep). Although I am on the computer right now, my excuse is that I am also in the kitchen cooking dinner (slightly late for us, but Younger Daughter made a lot of chocolate cakes this morning, which have warded off everybody's hunger pangs for a little longer than usual this afternoon).
I have decided to try to sort out the house properly before Christmas - I know the chaos will always creep back, but I just think if for once I can have all areas properly orgnanised at the same time it will be easier to keep it in check. Plus, I have to find some space to accommodate all the new Christmas gifts that the children are about to accumulate. Visitors to my home always say that it is clean and tidy and can't see why I should think otherwise - but I know what needs to be done, and it is pretty much constant. I am sure that with more organisation I could simplify things, and cut down on the amount of housework that needs doing - but it may well be impossible, as Paul always states.
On the bright side, both the girls now keep their bedrooms wonderfully neat, so that is two less rooms for me to tackle.
Paul suddenly decided to re-decorate the hall this morning (a surprise for me - he went out for a drink with a mate last night and usually the last thing he wants to do the 'morning after' is anything that involves any sort of action at all). So real disorder reigns today - but I am hoping against hope that he will get the whole thing done by Monday morning, so that the upheaval does not continue into next week.
I will let you know what happens there...
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Thursday, 15 November 2012
ImROC Webinar
I just attended my first 'Webinar' - strictly speaking, I virtually attended it. It was called, 'Public Mental Health, Wellbeing and Recovery' and was hosted by ImROC - you will have to look that up. It's an official organisation but I am not the best person to explain what they do - there has recently been a paper published on the subject of this webinar apparently, which I felt I should have read before the webinar (and would have done if I'd known about it). I stumbled across a notice about the Webinar on Twitter and asked to join it. I had heard about ImROC through my short-lived engagement with the Dorset Mental Health Forum. Apparently they will be publishing a new paper soon on Peer Support and another on Carers, and once I am up to speed with all this I will provide a link to their publications here (and advance notice of any more webinars, so that anyone else interested can join in).
I enjoyed the webinar experience and understand a little more now about the official attitudes to public mental health, recovery and the establishment of the new Health and Wellbeing Boards. I may even try to wheedle my way onto one of these boards - apparently they welcome service-user input.
The trouble is though, I am a bit of an agitator (unfortunately sometimes it is necessary to agitate in order to effect change). I don't mean to offend anyone, but I do like to be able to speak freely. Which is why although it is a shame in some ways that I don't now work for the Forum (especially as they are partners in the local NHS trust and therefore all local peer support workers seem to have to be channelled through them) it is probably for the best that I operate independently. I am not on bad terms with the Forum, and hopefully we can work together in the future.
Having stated on here that I was asked to alter my case study for the Schizophrenia Commission report, I opened a can of worms, because obviously it is unethical to ask someone for a case study, then try to remove from it the crucial point that they are trying to make (about diagnosis). Although on the scale of corruption, this was a pretty innocuous offence - especially since when I said 'No' to its removal, they consequently included the offending line in the case study. It's on page 64 of the report, by the way (link below). My first name was attributed, not my full name. I notice that another case study has also mentioned the adverse and unhelpful effect of the word 'schizophrenia', so I'm not alone (although I never thought I was).
As it turns out, the recommendation of the report re. the diagnosis is laughable - that clinicians should think carefully before giving the diagnosis, because of the stigma and sense of disablement it produces (they didn't say disablement, I forget the actual word they used). I mean, they know that already, and yet they still ruin people's lives with this label. If the label wasn't an option, that could only be a vast improvement.
Link to the SC report: http://www.schizophreniacommission.org.uk/the-report/
I am still working my way through the report - have not yet found anything in there that I didn't already know. In fact, I have been considering writing an 'alternative report' just for a laugh - but I am worried that it would take too long (must do that Psychology homework this week!) and that any humour I might try to inject might not end up being particularly funny.
I suppose the mention of Recovery Houses in the report is good - especially if these would be used as alternatives to hospital treatment, not just for recuperation afterwards. Any alternative to hospital treatment under the present system could only be a good thing.
My hackles were raised when I got to the section in the report on medication. I try not to write too much about this issue - although I know for a fact that I would not have recovered as well as I have, if I was still on antipsychotic drugs. However, I recognise that this is a sensitive issue - many people try to stop their drugs and break down as a result, and nobody wants to feel responsible for the breakdown of another human being.
I know many people see their drugs as a necessity, and don't mind taking them, despite the side-effects. Each to his own. But I think that more help should be given for people who wish to stop taking them. I was lucky - each time I had recovered from a breakdown, I was helped by a medical professional to slowly wean myself off the medication. I am grateful for this - even though after my second breakdown it was not the mental health professionals who helped (more of this in my book, don't want to keep bleating over old ground).
Now, what the report says is that antipsychotics are 'the cornerstone of treatment' - that when people were asked - 'What is the single most effective support for those with schizophrenia or psychosis?' they said medication. But surely - surely - this is because there are all too often no alternatives - drugs are the only support offered!
Here's a link to a You Tube video about antipsychotics. It's not long, but it's a real eye-opener: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiXyJwGmuDU&feature=youtu.be
To sum up - I think more people should be helped to recover from emotional distress (aka mental illness). There are lots of ways of doing this, so let's try to explore them all. And let's not use the word schizophrenia any more - let's let it die out, just as the old terminology of 'lunatics' and 'lunacy' has done. Let's allow common decency to replace it with kinder words, since the Schizophrenia Commission have failed to do so. (Thanks to Kate Hudson of Newcastle Uni for that thought. It has given me hope).
I suppose really I should re-name this blog - 'Thoughts from the Thought-Disordered' or some such. But then how would it reach the people who might be helped by it? I am almost certainly going to re-name my memoir soon though, with the word 'Schizophrenia' edited out - so please, take care not to buy it twice, anybody who already has a copy!
Incidentally, I wrote this blog post against the clock. I hope it's all clearly enough expressed - if not, my rush is the reason/excuse.
I enjoyed the webinar experience and understand a little more now about the official attitudes to public mental health, recovery and the establishment of the new Health and Wellbeing Boards. I may even try to wheedle my way onto one of these boards - apparently they welcome service-user input.
The trouble is though, I am a bit of an agitator (unfortunately sometimes it is necessary to agitate in order to effect change). I don't mean to offend anyone, but I do like to be able to speak freely. Which is why although it is a shame in some ways that I don't now work for the Forum (especially as they are partners in the local NHS trust and therefore all local peer support workers seem to have to be channelled through them) it is probably for the best that I operate independently. I am not on bad terms with the Forum, and hopefully we can work together in the future.
Having stated on here that I was asked to alter my case study for the Schizophrenia Commission report, I opened a can of worms, because obviously it is unethical to ask someone for a case study, then try to remove from it the crucial point that they are trying to make (about diagnosis). Although on the scale of corruption, this was a pretty innocuous offence - especially since when I said 'No' to its removal, they consequently included the offending line in the case study. It's on page 64 of the report, by the way (link below). My first name was attributed, not my full name. I notice that another case study has also mentioned the adverse and unhelpful effect of the word 'schizophrenia', so I'm not alone (although I never thought I was).
As it turns out, the recommendation of the report re. the diagnosis is laughable - that clinicians should think carefully before giving the diagnosis, because of the stigma and sense of disablement it produces (they didn't say disablement, I forget the actual word they used). I mean, they know that already, and yet they still ruin people's lives with this label. If the label wasn't an option, that could only be a vast improvement.
Link to the SC report: http://www.schizophreniacommission.org.uk/the-report/
I am still working my way through the report - have not yet found anything in there that I didn't already know. In fact, I have been considering writing an 'alternative report' just for a laugh - but I am worried that it would take too long (must do that Psychology homework this week!) and that any humour I might try to inject might not end up being particularly funny.
I suppose the mention of Recovery Houses in the report is good - especially if these would be used as alternatives to hospital treatment, not just for recuperation afterwards. Any alternative to hospital treatment under the present system could only be a good thing.
My hackles were raised when I got to the section in the report on medication. I try not to write too much about this issue - although I know for a fact that I would not have recovered as well as I have, if I was still on antipsychotic drugs. However, I recognise that this is a sensitive issue - many people try to stop their drugs and break down as a result, and nobody wants to feel responsible for the breakdown of another human being.
I know many people see their drugs as a necessity, and don't mind taking them, despite the side-effects. Each to his own. But I think that more help should be given for people who wish to stop taking them. I was lucky - each time I had recovered from a breakdown, I was helped by a medical professional to slowly wean myself off the medication. I am grateful for this - even though after my second breakdown it was not the mental health professionals who helped (more of this in my book, don't want to keep bleating over old ground).
Now, what the report says is that antipsychotics are 'the cornerstone of treatment' - that when people were asked - 'What is the single most effective support for those with schizophrenia or psychosis?' they said medication. But surely - surely - this is because there are all too often no alternatives - drugs are the only support offered!
Here's a link to a You Tube video about antipsychotics. It's not long, but it's a real eye-opener: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiXyJwGmuDU&feature=youtu.be
To sum up - I think more people should be helped to recover from emotional distress (aka mental illness). There are lots of ways of doing this, so let's try to explore them all. And let's not use the word schizophrenia any more - let's let it die out, just as the old terminology of 'lunatics' and 'lunacy' has done. Let's allow common decency to replace it with kinder words, since the Schizophrenia Commission have failed to do so. (Thanks to Kate Hudson of Newcastle Uni for that thought. It has given me hope).
I suppose really I should re-name this blog - 'Thoughts from the Thought-Disordered' or some such. But then how would it reach the people who might be helped by it? I am almost certainly going to re-name my memoir soon though, with the word 'Schizophrenia' edited out - so please, take care not to buy it twice, anybody who already has a copy!
Incidentally, I wrote this blog post against the clock. I hope it's all clearly enough expressed - if not, my rush is the reason/excuse.
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Schizophrenia Commission Report out Tomorrow
I had a Direct Message on Twitter yesterday from the Schizophrenia Commission - thanking me for my blog and telling me that there had been differing views on the diagnosis within the Commission. Which I thought was rather polite of them, considering my slightly uncouth behaviour ('dissing' them on Twitter recently).
I also received an email yesterday, telling me that my case study has been used in the Commission Report, and attributed to me by name, as with the case studies they had requested from others. Also, apparently, there has been a recommendation about the diagnosis in the report, although 'not as strong as you would like'. And apparently, when the report is released there will be information about where we can continue the debate.
I considered being churlish and refusing to engage in any further debate. But that would, in effect, amount to cutting off my nose to spite my face. So, I look forward to reading the full report tomorrow - although I am still mightily offended by the failure of the Commission to recommend a change of name for the diagnosis, and baffled by how on earth they could have thought that this was a fair and reasonable course of action.
I also received an email yesterday, telling me that my case study has been used in the Commission Report, and attributed to me by name, as with the case studies they had requested from others. Also, apparently, there has been a recommendation about the diagnosis in the report, although 'not as strong as you would like'. And apparently, when the report is released there will be information about where we can continue the debate.
I considered being churlish and refusing to engage in any further debate. But that would, in effect, amount to cutting off my nose to spite my face. So, I look forward to reading the full report tomorrow - although I am still mightily offended by the failure of the Commission to recommend a change of name for the diagnosis, and baffled by how on earth they could have thought that this was a fair and reasonable course of action.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Paula Caplan
Below is a link to a ten minute video - it is well worth a watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mihEgmfQKA
The video was posted on YouTube by Paula Caplan, an eminent American psychologist. It is about the harm done by psychiatric diagnosis - 'portrayed as scientific, helpful and harmless' when it is completely the reverse. At the end of the video she gives links to further sources of information and ways to take action.
The video was posted on YouTube by Paula Caplan, an eminent American psychologist. It is about the harm done by psychiatric diagnosis - 'portrayed as scientific, helpful and harmless' when it is completely the reverse. At the end of the video she gives links to further sources of information and ways to take action.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Rethink Mental Illness National Members' Day 2012
I returned quite late last night from Nottingham. I had travelled up with my friend on Friday night, and we had stayed overnight at a hotel in preparation for the Rethink Mental Illness Members Day on the Saturday. I had fond memories of this event from last year, when it was held at the Russell Hotel in London. My friend, incidentally, is a Trustee of the charity - I won't divulge her name here as I don't know whether she would appreciate that. Thanks to her, I got to travel up for free (she will get her expenses reimbursed by the charity) and I shared her hotel room for just a small subsidy.
The best part of the whole weekend was - coming home, of course! I was homesick almost as soon as I left on Friday morning - so just arriving home last night and walking into my bright warm comfortable house, filled with the people who I love so much - was blissful. My younger daughter had been baking, and presented me with a tray of biscuits, each with an iced letter, spelling out the words, 'Welcome back!' It was almost worth going away, just to come home.
However, I do wonder what I am doing sometimes, with this mental health activism, and why. I wonder if it is damaging to me personally. On a very basic level, I would have had a much more peaceful and relaxing weekend at home, and on a more complex plane, the potential harm done to my social life and career by identifying myself as a person with schizophrenia is possibly quite serious, although not quantifiable in any way. (The most important factor is of course the possible effect on my children of being identified as the offspring of someone with a diagnosis of schizophrenia).
On the way home, after we had discussed the day's events, my friend suggested that I should write something else for a while - a nice romance, perhaps, or a children's book. She said she thought it would be better for me. She may well be right.
The thing is though, that I have no real choice. I just feel compelled to carry on with this work. I have never had a career anyway, prior to identifying my vocation as a writer (possibly because of the damage that was done to my psyche by the infliction of the diagnosis in the first place) and I have never been one of those people who is impressed by the social standing of others or who wishes to pretend to be something I am not in order to impress other people. And I still maintain that my children are more likely to benefit from all this than they are to suffer from it - as long as I remain firmly rooted in the home, loving and nurturing them, and don't get carried away by my wish to improve the mental health system and end up neglecting my own family's needs as a result.
I suffered a major disappointment yesterday - I learned that the Schizophrenia Commission have not recommended that the label be abolished or changed as I had hoped. (The report is not due to be published until next week but I feel no sense of loyalty that would prevent me from publishing this 'spoiler').
I was not actually surprised to find out that the label has not been changed - I suspected as much by the fact that after asking me to write a case study (of my own case) I was asked if I would mind if it was 'tweaked' to reflect the fact that some members of the Commission do not agree with my view of the damage done by the diagnosis of schizophrenia. After some thought I rejected my instinct towards compliance and wrote back to say that if they did use my case study I would prefer the wording left intact. They agreed to use the case study as I wrote it, and apparently it has been included in the report (although I think anonymously. I am not sure, I have not seen it, but one of the other Trustees who I spoke to yesterday dropped a big hint to this effect). Although of course, it might be removed after I have published this blog post!
So I had an inkling of what the outcome of this report would be - and it was confirmed as soon as I saw the title of Robin Murray's talk at the meeting yesterday - 'What next for the Schizophrenia Commission?'
So the Schizophrenia Commission will continue - having already let down the people they are supposed to be helping. The parts of the report that Robin Murray disclosed yesterday say nothing that anybody didn't already know - that there are problems in the system and in the use of medication and so on and so forth. As there always have been. I listened hard, and I didn't hear anything ground breaking in anything that he said (although I was surprised at the extent of his criticism of mental health nurses, speaking of how they become hardened over time. Of course they do, by having to earn their living in a system that provides so little in the way of care. He also said that psychiatrists are not as good in private hospitals as in the NHS. Interesting, that - I wonder why the recovery rates are so much better in private hospitals, in that case. And I can't help wondering whether, if Robin Murray himself ever became mentally ill, whether he would choose to be treated at the Priory or by his local NHS Trust. I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that. Although the head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists just might have a slightly different experience than others in the mental health system). I am not trying to be bitter and bitchy, by the way. I just can't help it. I am deeply disappointed.
I was actually close to tears yesterday on at least two occasions. The first occasion was when listening to a poem read out by Peter Cox, who won the Pringle Prize for Poetry. The poem told how it felt to be an outsider from society, about how others' perceptions impacted on his view of himself, how he couldn't even enjoy a sunny summer's day without feeling guilty for his brief happiness. When Peter was given his prize, he asked humbly if we would like him to read out the poem, and there was hesitation from the award giver and the Board (proceedings were already running late). Fortunately, several members of the audience filled the gap by calling out 'Yes!' and Peter was allowed to read his work. That hesitation though, made me feel physically sick.
Later, I almost wept again when I realised that my suspicion that the Schizophrenia Commission had rejected their opportunity to effect any real change for sufferers was true. Luckily I didn't disgrace myself (or conform to anybody's expectations of volatile behaviour from a 'schizophrenic') by actually crying in public, but it was hard to prevent myself from doing so.
I know that so many lives could be changed, so easily and simply, by simply changing that word to another term. Thought disorder - or, if that is not sufficiently 'serious-sounding' for mental health professionals, psychotic disorder syndrome or some such nonsense, as suggested by a member of the audience. Anything, any change in the name, would reduce the stigma of diagnosis at a single stroke, and would improve the outlook and chances of recovery for sufferers.
Changing the name would be an act of simple human kindness, and keeping the name is a cruelty. An unnecessary cruelty, that benefits nobody except the psychiatrists themselves, and the rest of the mental health industry, who consequently get to continue to enjoy their power over other people's lives. I can't imagine what else their motivation can be.
I am staggered that they haven't effected the change. Robin Murray was questioned on the subject by a member of the audience and he couldn't produce a coherent reply - he stuttered and stumbled over the issue, saying there were differing views, even claiming that, 'The Schizophrenia Commission doesn't have the power to say one way or another' (really, Sir Robin?). Eventually he told us that although the diagnosis had been changed in some countries it wasn't going to happen here at the moment, but that maybe in a few years time, things would be different.
And the cynical part of me was thinking - oh yes, maybe after a few more years of enjoying the power and the glory (and the pay, and the public recognition) of being Chair of the Schizophrenia Commission - maybe when he has milked that for all it's worth - maybe then Robin Murray might get around to changing this damned label and thus alleviating the suffering of all those who have been led to believe they are less than human - that they are schizophenic and therefore 'other' and incapable and powerless and hopeless and helpless. And helping too the young people who have been recently captured by the mental health system - preventing them from losing their hopes and their lives to the malicious diagnosis of 'schizophrenia'. A lot of human beings could be spared a lot of suffering from that name change. But not now.
Not yet.
No.
Let them eat cake.
The best part of the whole weekend was - coming home, of course! I was homesick almost as soon as I left on Friday morning - so just arriving home last night and walking into my bright warm comfortable house, filled with the people who I love so much - was blissful. My younger daughter had been baking, and presented me with a tray of biscuits, each with an iced letter, spelling out the words, 'Welcome back!' It was almost worth going away, just to come home.
However, I do wonder what I am doing sometimes, with this mental health activism, and why. I wonder if it is damaging to me personally. On a very basic level, I would have had a much more peaceful and relaxing weekend at home, and on a more complex plane, the potential harm done to my social life and career by identifying myself as a person with schizophrenia is possibly quite serious, although not quantifiable in any way. (The most important factor is of course the possible effect on my children of being identified as the offspring of someone with a diagnosis of schizophrenia).
On the way home, after we had discussed the day's events, my friend suggested that I should write something else for a while - a nice romance, perhaps, or a children's book. She said she thought it would be better for me. She may well be right.
The thing is though, that I have no real choice. I just feel compelled to carry on with this work. I have never had a career anyway, prior to identifying my vocation as a writer (possibly because of the damage that was done to my psyche by the infliction of the diagnosis in the first place) and I have never been one of those people who is impressed by the social standing of others or who wishes to pretend to be something I am not in order to impress other people. And I still maintain that my children are more likely to benefit from all this than they are to suffer from it - as long as I remain firmly rooted in the home, loving and nurturing them, and don't get carried away by my wish to improve the mental health system and end up neglecting my own family's needs as a result.
I suffered a major disappointment yesterday - I learned that the Schizophrenia Commission have not recommended that the label be abolished or changed as I had hoped. (The report is not due to be published until next week but I feel no sense of loyalty that would prevent me from publishing this 'spoiler').
I was not actually surprised to find out that the label has not been changed - I suspected as much by the fact that after asking me to write a case study (of my own case) I was asked if I would mind if it was 'tweaked' to reflect the fact that some members of the Commission do not agree with my view of the damage done by the diagnosis of schizophrenia. After some thought I rejected my instinct towards compliance and wrote back to say that if they did use my case study I would prefer the wording left intact. They agreed to use the case study as I wrote it, and apparently it has been included in the report (although I think anonymously. I am not sure, I have not seen it, but one of the other Trustees who I spoke to yesterday dropped a big hint to this effect). Although of course, it might be removed after I have published this blog post!
So I had an inkling of what the outcome of this report would be - and it was confirmed as soon as I saw the title of Robin Murray's talk at the meeting yesterday - 'What next for the Schizophrenia Commission?'
So the Schizophrenia Commission will continue - having already let down the people they are supposed to be helping. The parts of the report that Robin Murray disclosed yesterday say nothing that anybody didn't already know - that there are problems in the system and in the use of medication and so on and so forth. As there always have been. I listened hard, and I didn't hear anything ground breaking in anything that he said (although I was surprised at the extent of his criticism of mental health nurses, speaking of how they become hardened over time. Of course they do, by having to earn their living in a system that provides so little in the way of care. He also said that psychiatrists are not as good in private hospitals as in the NHS. Interesting, that - I wonder why the recovery rates are so much better in private hospitals, in that case. And I can't help wondering whether, if Robin Murray himself ever became mentally ill, whether he would choose to be treated at the Priory or by his local NHS Trust. I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that. Although the head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists just might have a slightly different experience than others in the mental health system). I am not trying to be bitter and bitchy, by the way. I just can't help it. I am deeply disappointed.
I was actually close to tears yesterday on at least two occasions. The first occasion was when listening to a poem read out by Peter Cox, who won the Pringle Prize for Poetry. The poem told how it felt to be an outsider from society, about how others' perceptions impacted on his view of himself, how he couldn't even enjoy a sunny summer's day without feeling guilty for his brief happiness. When Peter was given his prize, he asked humbly if we would like him to read out the poem, and there was hesitation from the award giver and the Board (proceedings were already running late). Fortunately, several members of the audience filled the gap by calling out 'Yes!' and Peter was allowed to read his work. That hesitation though, made me feel physically sick.
Later, I almost wept again when I realised that my suspicion that the Schizophrenia Commission had rejected their opportunity to effect any real change for sufferers was true. Luckily I didn't disgrace myself (or conform to anybody's expectations of volatile behaviour from a 'schizophrenic') by actually crying in public, but it was hard to prevent myself from doing so.
I know that so many lives could be changed, so easily and simply, by simply changing that word to another term. Thought disorder - or, if that is not sufficiently 'serious-sounding' for mental health professionals, psychotic disorder syndrome or some such nonsense, as suggested by a member of the audience. Anything, any change in the name, would reduce the stigma of diagnosis at a single stroke, and would improve the outlook and chances of recovery for sufferers.
Changing the name would be an act of simple human kindness, and keeping the name is a cruelty. An unnecessary cruelty, that benefits nobody except the psychiatrists themselves, and the rest of the mental health industry, who consequently get to continue to enjoy their power over other people's lives. I can't imagine what else their motivation can be.
I am staggered that they haven't effected the change. Robin Murray was questioned on the subject by a member of the audience and he couldn't produce a coherent reply - he stuttered and stumbled over the issue, saying there were differing views, even claiming that, 'The Schizophrenia Commission doesn't have the power to say one way or another' (really, Sir Robin?). Eventually he told us that although the diagnosis had been changed in some countries it wasn't going to happen here at the moment, but that maybe in a few years time, things would be different.
And the cynical part of me was thinking - oh yes, maybe after a few more years of enjoying the power and the glory (and the pay, and the public recognition) of being Chair of the Schizophrenia Commission - maybe when he has milked that for all it's worth - maybe then Robin Murray might get around to changing this damned label and thus alleviating the suffering of all those who have been led to believe they are less than human - that they are schizophenic and therefore 'other' and incapable and powerless and hopeless and helpless. And helping too the young people who have been recently captured by the mental health system - preventing them from losing their hopes and their lives to the malicious diagnosis of 'schizophrenia'. A lot of human beings could be spared a lot of suffering from that name change. But not now.
Not yet.
No.
Let them eat cake.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Residency at Newcastle University
Whisper it... I may be getting a writer in residence post at Newcastle Uni! I have been buzzing with ideas, and have been busy this evening running them by various people to see if they hold water.
I am well aware that I shouldn't count my chickens before they are hatched - and that a public announcement that something may happen is hardly advisable - but, be away with you, superstition! What will be, will be (or que sera, sera, as I sing to my beautiful little boys at their bedtime).
I have been singing them the same four bedtime songs for years. Que sera (or, as they call it, 'The Little Girl Song' is their favourite. One evening, the littlest one (who was not quite four at the time) superimposed his own lyrics. I only know one verse, 'Will I be famous, will I be rich?' but he changed the words and sang, 'Will I be pretty, will I be silly?' Honestly. The child is supernaturally bright - the other day he wanted me to play with him, and when I replied that I was busy tidying, he said, 'A tidy house brings a tidy mind, that's what I say!'
I was staggered - it is not something I say, and although I know he must have seen it on TV or heard someone else say it, I still think it demonstrates pretty impressive powers of retention.
(Incidentally, I just found the YouTube clip for the song - very sweet: (although spoiled by the distasteful comment underneath) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc )
Anyway, I will have to work pretty hard to keep up. I was looking at the notes for my psychology course the other night, and realised that I need to put in a major amount of work if I am to get through the exam with a decent grade. So that is going to be my main task over the next couple of weeks - printing up all the powerpoints, writing up my own notes (just useless scribbles at present) making sure I understand and can recall the material. Exam in January!
Going to listen to Radio 4 'All in the Mind' now. Great programme. Tonight the subject (or one of them) is CBT and psychosis. Here's the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qxx9
Enjoy!
I am well aware that I shouldn't count my chickens before they are hatched - and that a public announcement that something may happen is hardly advisable - but, be away with you, superstition! What will be, will be (or que sera, sera, as I sing to my beautiful little boys at their bedtime).
I have been singing them the same four bedtime songs for years. Que sera (or, as they call it, 'The Little Girl Song' is their favourite. One evening, the littlest one (who was not quite four at the time) superimposed his own lyrics. I only know one verse, 'Will I be famous, will I be rich?' but he changed the words and sang, 'Will I be pretty, will I be silly?' Honestly. The child is supernaturally bright - the other day he wanted me to play with him, and when I replied that I was busy tidying, he said, 'A tidy house brings a tidy mind, that's what I say!'
I was staggered - it is not something I say, and although I know he must have seen it on TV or heard someone else say it, I still think it demonstrates pretty impressive powers of retention.
(Incidentally, I just found the YouTube clip for the song - very sweet: (although spoiled by the distasteful comment underneath) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc )
Anyway, I will have to work pretty hard to keep up. I was looking at the notes for my psychology course the other night, and realised that I need to put in a major amount of work if I am to get through the exam with a decent grade. So that is going to be my main task over the next couple of weeks - printing up all the powerpoints, writing up my own notes (just useless scribbles at present) making sure I understand and can recall the material. Exam in January!
Going to listen to Radio 4 'All in the Mind' now. Great programme. Tonight the subject (or one of them) is CBT and psychosis. Here's the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qxx9
Enjoy!
Monday, 29 October 2012
A Writing Weekend
I have been lucky recently - I have been out and about to various events connected with writing and with mental health. I think I have catalogued most of them on recent posts here. This weekend I attended two writing workshops - one co-ordinated by Cyprus Well http://www.cypruswell.com/ and, I think, both run by LitUp http://www.coursesforwriting.com/.
The Cyprus Well event was billled as a networking event for writers in residence, although attendance seemed to be fairly open to all. The event was free. It was aimed at those who lead writing groups connected with mental health, and particularly for those who work with people recovering from addiction. A chap from Vita Nova http://www.vitanova.co.uk/was running it, and he seemed very nice - modest too (he was very down to earth, said he talked from a non-academic viewpoint and you would have been forgiven for thinking he had no qualifications, but it turned out he had taken a degree as a mature student and is now doing an MA).
There were lots of interesting people there - perhaps fourteen attendees in total. I was really impressed with the venue - Pavilion Dance in Bournemouth http://www.paviliondance.org.uk/. That place must have had a lot of money spent on it recently. They have really modernised the inside while keeping the outside structure intact, which is wonderful because it is a great old building that deserves to be preserved. There is also a new modern bistro next door. The view from the huge windows was of the Lower Gardens, and as I watched a bouncy castle was inflated on the grass below us. It was a lovely sunny day, fresh and clear, and I couldn't help thinking of my kids, who would have loved to be with me in Bournemouth. I hate taking myself away from them at the weekend.
I was pleased I went, though. We talked about various ways of running writing workshops, different ice-breakers and exercises (one lady pointed out that we should use the word activity rather than exercise, so as not to intimidate those people who don't want to be reminded of their schooldays). I met somebody called Tania Hershman http://www.taniahershman.com/, who is a writer in residence at Bristol University in the Science department. Aha, I thought - I could learn a lot here (I am thinking of the opportunities which I hope will soon present themself from Newcastle). I chatted briefly to Tania and gave her a copy of my book, although I have told myself I should not keep giving them away - but in return she very kindly gave me a copy of hers 'My Mother was an Upright Piano'. A real book - in exchange for mine! It's fab - a book of really short stories, very original and striking.
Now I really do hate taking myself away from the kids at the weekend - and I realise it sounds quite contradictory that I attended two workshops on one weekend. What can I say - it's like buses (and men, according to Wendy Cope) - they all come at once. The Saturday event had only been for a couple of hours in the morning, but the Sunday one ran from ten until four pm. It only cost five pounds (it would have been more but you got a discount if you attended more than one event).
And it was really good too - although there were only four of us so the atmosphere was not as dynamic, the teacher was fine (John Foster, a tutor from the Media School at Bournemouth Universtiy) and he gave us lots of useful handouts to take away. It is always good to be in the company of other writers, and I feel privileged to have been able to take part. Although I now have plenty of domestic weekends ahead (no jaunts planned at all now) I am sure the double injection of motivation will help keep me writing more regularly from now on. Thanks to Cyprus Well and to LitUp - and to Tania Hershmann for her lovely book!
The Cyprus Well event was billled as a networking event for writers in residence, although attendance seemed to be fairly open to all. The event was free. It was aimed at those who lead writing groups connected with mental health, and particularly for those who work with people recovering from addiction. A chap from Vita Nova http://www.vitanova.co.uk/was running it, and he seemed very nice - modest too (he was very down to earth, said he talked from a non-academic viewpoint and you would have been forgiven for thinking he had no qualifications, but it turned out he had taken a degree as a mature student and is now doing an MA).
There were lots of interesting people there - perhaps fourteen attendees in total. I was really impressed with the venue - Pavilion Dance in Bournemouth http://www.paviliondance.org.uk/. That place must have had a lot of money spent on it recently. They have really modernised the inside while keeping the outside structure intact, which is wonderful because it is a great old building that deserves to be preserved. There is also a new modern bistro next door. The view from the huge windows was of the Lower Gardens, and as I watched a bouncy castle was inflated on the grass below us. It was a lovely sunny day, fresh and clear, and I couldn't help thinking of my kids, who would have loved to be with me in Bournemouth. I hate taking myself away from them at the weekend.
I was pleased I went, though. We talked about various ways of running writing workshops, different ice-breakers and exercises (one lady pointed out that we should use the word activity rather than exercise, so as not to intimidate those people who don't want to be reminded of their schooldays). I met somebody called Tania Hershman http://www.taniahershman.com/, who is a writer in residence at Bristol University in the Science department. Aha, I thought - I could learn a lot here (I am thinking of the opportunities which I hope will soon present themself from Newcastle). I chatted briefly to Tania and gave her a copy of my book, although I have told myself I should not keep giving them away - but in return she very kindly gave me a copy of hers 'My Mother was an Upright Piano'. A real book - in exchange for mine! It's fab - a book of really short stories, very original and striking.
Now I really do hate taking myself away from the kids at the weekend - and I realise it sounds quite contradictory that I attended two workshops on one weekend. What can I say - it's like buses (and men, according to Wendy Cope) - they all come at once. The Saturday event had only been for a couple of hours in the morning, but the Sunday one ran from ten until four pm. It only cost five pounds (it would have been more but you got a discount if you attended more than one event).
And it was really good too - although there were only four of us so the atmosphere was not as dynamic, the teacher was fine (John Foster, a tutor from the Media School at Bournemouth Universtiy) and he gave us lots of useful handouts to take away. It is always good to be in the company of other writers, and I feel privileged to have been able to take part. Although I now have plenty of domestic weekends ahead (no jaunts planned at all now) I am sure the double injection of motivation will help keep me writing more regularly from now on. Thanks to Cyprus Well and to LitUp - and to Tania Hershmann for her lovely book!
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