Engage Aotearoa

Eleanor Longden Shares Experience of Learning to Live Well with Voices at TED2013

June 27, 2013 11:44 am ⋅

Eleanor Longden has come a long way since she was a university student and first started hearing a voice that narrated everything she did back to her in the third person.

She recently gave a talk at a TED conference, which has been shared all over Facebook this week. Eleanor is now working with InterVoice to raise awareness of voice hearing as a meaningful experience to be understood rather than something to be feared.

In one of the online threads afterwards, a Twitter user asks: Did you hear voices during your talk?

Eleanor Longden replies: Yes, they reminded me of parts of the talk I forgot.

Watch the Youtube Video Here – Eleanor Longden: Learning from the Voices in My Head.

Can’t watch the video for some reason? Read a great summary in this blog.

Posted in: Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Recovery Stories, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Study Explores Guided Mindfulness Meditation and Physical Activity on Mood and Brain Functioning

June 27, 2013 11:13 am ⋅

Invitation to Participate

Exploring Guided Mindfulness Meditation and Physical Activity on Mood and Brain Functioning

Information:

Researchers from the University of Auckland’s psychology department would like to invite you to participate in a study exploring the connections between guided mindfulness meditation and physical activity. This information may be useful in developing materials and aids that will help individuals achieve a more balanced lifestyle. This research is being undertaken by Tamasin Taylor, as fulfilment of the requirements of a Ph.D (Health Psychology) degree at the University of Auckland.

The researchers are inviting people who have had zero or minimal experience of mindfulness meditation experience. There are three activities in this study that will involve your participation. The total amount of time required by you will be 5.5 hours over three weeks plus travelling time. Entry into a prize draw of $100 will be offered to participants who complete the study as a token of our appreciation for the time and effort contributed to this project.The involvement includes three activities:

1)     You will be asked to attend a five day course of 20-minutes of either guided mindfulness meditation or physical activity sessions (condition allocated to you by the researcher). The sessions will be held at the University of Auckland city campus, times to be allocated.

2)     You will be asked to complete two simple computer tasks at the University of Auckland city campus hsb building on two days (1- week apart).

3)     You will be asked to complete two general psychological wellbeing questionnaires via an internet link over the three-week study period. These will take approximately 15 minutes each to complete.

If you are interested in participating or finding out more about the study, please email t.taylor@auckland.ac.nz, or phone/text: 027 2435 198.

APPROVED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND HUMAN PARTICIPANTS ETHICS COMMITTEE ON 29 April for (3) years, Reference Number 2011/7187

Posted in: Community Participation, Research ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Petition for Better Mental-Healthcare Choices Presented to Parliament: What Next?

June 14, 2013 12:54 pm ⋅

PetitionPresentationPhoto

Annie Chapman completed her Hikoi for Better Mental-Healthcare Choices on Tuesday the 11th of July and presented the final Petition for Better Mental-Healthcare Choices to members of parliament on the steps of the Beehive.

Chapman writes, “Well, the deed is done!! Six months after setting off from Cape Reinga, I handed over the paper petition with 1053 signatures to Paul Hutchison, who presented it to Parliament today. I will hear back from the Health Select Committee, probably in just over a week, of when the petition will be considered by the Committee and will be invited to make a submission at that time.”

The petition presentation began with the final leg of the Hikoi as Annie made her way from the Botanic Rose Gardens to the Beehive with a collection of supporters. The procession reached parliament at midday where they were joined by a crowd of about 20 and at 12.30 the politicians arrived: Dr Paul Hutchison (National MP and chair of the Health Select Committee); Annette King (Labour Spokesperson for Health and member of the H.S.C.) Barbara Stewart (NZ First M.P. and member of H.S.C.); Dr Jian Yang (National M.P. and deputy chair of H.S.C.) and Louisa Wall (Labour M.P for Manurewa).

You can still help the Hikoi get results by making a submission to the health select committee about the Petition for Better Mental-Healthcare Choices.

Contact Annie Chapman for more information on hikoiforhealth@gmail.com

Email chairperson of Health Select Committee Paul Hutchison paul.hutchison@parliament.govt.nz

Posted in: Community Participation, News, Politics and Policy, Psychiatric Medication, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Consultation on Proposal to Change Home-Based Support Services in WDHB Area

June 1, 2013 3:34 pm ⋅

C O N S U L T A T I O N ON PROPOSAL TO CHANGE HOME-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES

Waitemata District Health Board are proposing to change the current model of care for the provision of Home and Community Support Services funded within the Waitemata District Health Board area.

Waitemata District Health Board is consulting with its communities and stakeholders on a proposal that may change the model of care for home-based support services within the district. The aim of the proposed model is to ensure clients receive services based on the level of need and that they are empowered to achieve optimal functioning and independence.

Waitemata DHB encourage you to provide feedback.

PROPOSAL

The proposal and other relevant documents are available on the Waitemata District Health Board website.

View Online – Visit: www.waitematadhb.govt.nz to view the proposal and other relevant documents.

Request a hard copy – contact Imelda Quilty-King, Community Engagement Coordinator, Waitemata DHB on mobile: 0212236099 or by email: hbssconsultation@waitematadhb.govt.nz if you wish to request a hard copy or if you have any other query on this proposal.

FEEDBACK

Online – Visit www.waitematadhb.govt.nz to complete a survey using survey monkey.

By post – Request a hard copy or print off the feedback form from the

website and post it the Waitemata District Health Board.

Request a Face to Face meeting – The Waitemata DHB is not holding public meetings however your organisation/group is welcome to request a face-to-face meeting with us by contacting Imelda Quilty-King, Community Engagement Coordinator, Waitemata DHB on mobile: 0212236099 or by email: hbssconsultation@waitematadhb.govt.nz

 

Feedback closes at 5pm, Monday 24 June 2013.

Posted in: Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Support, Trauma ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

New Open Access Research on BMC Psychiatry

June 1, 2013 1:49 pm ⋅

Research article
Understanding treatment non-adherence in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a survey of what service users do and why
Gibson S, Brand SL, Burt S, Boden ZV, Benson O
BMC Psychiatry 2013, 13:153 (29 May 2013)
[Provisional PDF]

Research article    
‘Pseudoneurological’ symptoms, dissociation and stress-related psychopathology in healthy young adults
Bob P, Selesova P, Raboch J, Kukla L
BMC Psychiatry 2013, 13:149 (25 May 2013)
[Provisional PDF]

Research article    
Is legal status impacting outcomes of group therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder with male asylum seekers and refugees from Iran and Afghanistan?
Drozdek B, Kamperman AM, Tol WA, Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ
BMC Psychiatry 2013, 13:148 (24 May 2013)
[Provisional PDF]

Research article    
Mental health affects future employment as job loss affects mental health: findings from a longitudinal population study
Olesen SC, Butterworth P, Leach LS, Kelaher M, Pirkis J
BMC Psychiatry 2013, 13:144 (24 May 2013)
[Provisional PDF]

Research article    
Association between vitamin b12 levels and melancholic depressive symptoms: a Finnish population-based study
Seppälä J, Koponen H, Kautiainen H, Eriksson JG, Kampman O, Leiviskä J, Männistö S, Mäntyselkä P, Oksa H, Ovaskainen Y, Viikki M, Vanhala M, Seppälä J
BMC Psychiatry 2013, 13:145 (24 May 2013)
[Provisional PDF]

 

Posted in: News, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Research ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,

DSM-5 Discussed on Take it From us Radio 28 May 2013

May 28, 2013 12:30 pm ⋅

Tune in to Take It From Us on Tuesday May 28th to hear about the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which has attracted flak internationally.  Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa NZ is circulating an article from its associate in the UK. The show will discuss the essence of this article and other reaction to the launch of the DSM-5.

Listen live on 104.6FM at 12.30pm every Tuesday or online at www.planetaudio.org.nz.

OR if you missed the broadcast, listen for the next seven days @:www.planetaudio.org.nz/takeitfromus

Catch up on the last four shows online: www.likeminds.org.nz

Email takeitfromus@mail.com for any feedback and comment/suggestions for shows.

Posted in: News, Online Resources, Recovery Stories, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Hearing Voices Network Releases Position Paper on DSM-5

May 28, 2013 12:45 am ⋅

Hearing Voices Network UK has released a position statement on the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), calling for input from the wider community. Read on for an excerpt and click the link at the bottom to keep reading and leave your comments.

“Position Statement on DSM 5 & Psychiatric Diagnosis”

“DSM 5, the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – often referred to as the ‘psychiatric bible’ – has now been released in the wake of huge controversy and debate. The alternative classification system, ICD, is based on exactly the same principles. Some of the world’s most eminent psychiatrists have spoken out about the current system.

The former director of the US’s largest funding body for mental health research, the NIMH, recently described DSM as ‘totally wrong, an absolute nightmare’. The chair of the DSM 5 committee admitted that ‘We have been telling patients for several decades’ that the biological causes of distress are about to be discovered, but ‘We’re still waiting.’ Another senior psychiatrist said, ‘Patients deserve better.’ In the UK, clinical psychologists have challenged the use of diagnosis and the ‘illness’ model.

The Hearing Voices Network, alongside many of our professional allies in psychology and psychiatry, has serious concerns about the way we currently understand, categorise and respond to mental distress . We also recognise the confusion that can be caused when accepted facts, often presented to service users as truths, are challenged.

We believe that people with lived experience of diagnosis must be at the heart of any discussions about alternatives to the current system. People who use services are the true experts on how those services could be developed and delivered; they are the ones that know exactly what they need, what works well and what improvements need to be made. This statement outlines the main issues, as we see them, and invites people on the receiving end of a diagnosis to have a voice in this debate.”

HVN Position Statement on DSM5 and Diagnoses: Download & distribute the pdf file

Read More Here

http://www.hearing-voices.org/about-us/position-statement-on-dsm-5/

Posted in: News, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: ,

WDHB would like your feedback about the Asian Advance Care Plan Leaflet and Form

May 23, 2013 6:42 pm ⋅

Invitation to Asian community members and health professionals

WDHB would like your feedback about the Advance Care Plan Leaflet and Form

The National Advance Care Planning Cooperative team and Waitemata District Health Board ACP clinical coordinator is seeking feedback from Asian communities and health professionals about the attached Advance Care Plan leaflet and form currently available in English.

1.      The Advance Care Plan Leaflet (tri-fold brochure format)

This leaflet provides information about Advance Care Planning by promoting awareness about what to plan ahead for future health care including personal care,  treatment preferences for end of life situations, what can be done and who to talk to.

2.      The Advance Care Plan Form (4 pages)

This form is for individuals to document their personal care and specific treatment preferences for end of life situations. Additionally, it is about the existence of a will, and the location of important papers and other practical matters.

<<Advance care planning Leaflet>> <<My advance care plan form>>

Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, the Advance Care Plan Cooperative team would like your views on: the appropriateness of the design/graphics; the colour; the wording used on the leaflet and the form and; whether if there is a need for improvements. In addition, we are trying to find out if there is a need for the form and the leaflet to be translated into different Asian languages.

How to provide feedback:

1.      You can complete the online feedback form by clicking on this link

        https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8LVDKN3

Or

2.      You can complete the attached feedback form and email back to

        Stella Song: by email stella.song@waitematadhb.govt.nz

<<2013-5-17 SM ACP Feedback Form>>

Or

3.      If you know of others who may be interested to provide feedback, please feel free to send this request for feedback and the form to your networks.

Or

4.      If you wish to run a focus group with others to collect feedback using the attached form, we would be most appreciative, please send us the completed form(s) by post:

        Attn: Stella Song – Asian Health Support Services, Waiteamata DHB, Private Bag 93503, Takapuna

Deadline for feedback is Friday, 10 June 2013

If you would like to know more about ACP please go to www.advancecareplanning.org.nz. Your assistance, feedback and comments would be very much appreciated and valued by the ACP team.

 

Asian Health Support Services I Waitemata DHB

p: 09 4423239  I m:  021 2402230  I   f:   09 4868307   

www.waitematadhb.govt.nz

 

Posted in: Asian Communities, Community Participation, Service-User Movement ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

IIMHL Updates Now Online

May 23, 2013 5:22 pm ⋅

You can now read the archive of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership Updates online.

Follow this link to the IIMHL Update Archive.

Posted in: Online Resources, Politics and Policy, Professional Development, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,