family & carer mental health program newsletter edition...story from a carer within the program....

FAMILY & CARER MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM NEWSLETTER ~ EDITION 20 2013

Perseverance

Hello and welcome to 2013. Last year flew by and in the busy month of December we decided to hold off on this edition of the newsletter until the start of the New Year.

So here we are at the beginning of yet another year. The Family & Carer Mental Health Program (F&CMHP) teams are busy organising activities for this year and one of the changes you will see in this edition of the newsletter is that the calendar is no longer included. Given the costs of printing our preference is to use the newsletter space to bring you carer stories, wellbeing pages and information resources as you have requested in the annual evaluation. So, this year, you will receive the calendar sent to you on a monthly basis - we have tried to take into consideration that you receive them with plenty of time to plan your diary.

Thank you to everyone who returned their evaluations as this allows us to shape this newsletter so that it works for you. If at any time throughout the year you have any feedback regarding the newsletter please don’t hesitate to contact us.

In this edition we bring you another carer story from a carer within the Program. This story yet again highlights strengths, resilience, unconditional love and a glimpse of a very personal and inspiring journey.

Sharing your story, opening up your world to others takes courage and we thank everyone who has shared their story with us over the past editions. If you would like to share your story with us for one of the upcoming editions, please contact Tanya Clifton (contact details are on the back page).

My Caring Story ~ Perseverance 2

‘Recipe’ for Recovery 4

Carer Wellbeing Tips 8

New Reports Released 8

Resources 9

Carers Week & Mental Health Month Awards

7

Inside this Edition

Family & Carer Mental Health Program Newsletter

Edition 20 - 2013

In this edition the carer sharing their story says, “I would not have managed this part of my life’s journey without reaching out for help. Nothing can be private. It’s just too hard on your own.” As a service provider we urge you to reach out, ask for help - the more help, support and information you receive can make such a difference in a journey that can be overwhelming and confusing.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, where necessary seek a second opinion or ask to have something explained to you that you don’t understand.

And remember, the F&CMHP can provide you with a full range of supports, including information, one-on-one support, advocacy, pathways to referrals and connections with other carers.

We look forward to working with you in 2013.

Family & Carer Mental Health Program team Far West/Western NSW Local Health Districts CentaCare Wilcannia-Forbes

FAMILY & CARER MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM NEWSLETTER ~ EDITION 20 2013 2

My Caring Story - Perseverance

Written by a carer from the Family & Carer Mental Health Program

Perseverance: “continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”

Liane Cordes

Hello. This is my story.

I was a shy child. A quiet achiever. I was so prim and proper. I met my first husband at 16. We had a big white wedding when I was 19. Our first daughter came along when I was 21. At 25, another daughter arrived. He left us when I was 28. I was glad. It wasn’t a match made in heaven.

I met my current husband when I turned 30. We married 3 years later. We celebrated 27 years together this year. He is the strength behind my story. We own our own home. Our lifestyle is comfortable. We are grandparents to 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls.

My youngest daughter did the big white wedding bit too. From this union she produced a daughter, who is now 11. My daughter’s marriage didn’t work out. We are close and she works in child care. From kindergarten to year 5, my granddaughter came to us before and after school. She is a well adjusted likable girl. I love her to bits.

My eldest child lives on the edge of society. I learnt to love her unconditionally from age 14. She was a difficult child and our personalities clashed mercilessly. She was 7 when her father left. At 14 she decided she wanted to live with him, even though she’d had no contact with him in the intervening years. She looked for him in the pubs. She came home hurt and bewildered. He couldn’t have her.

My daughter didn’t have an easy adolescence. At 18 she moved out to share with a girl friend. Life for her became harder but by age 25 she met a 19 year old mirror image of herself. I found him obnoxious and rude. Pig-headed springs to mind. Sleazy sits well too. Uncouth. Manipulative. Brazen and sly. He moved in with her and their lifestyle merged. The relationships presented me with two gorgeous grandsons. The relationship was volatile. The Police were regular visitors. And because my grandsons were involved I soon saw the depth of the undercurrent she was now living in. AVO’s were the norm. So was the amount of time she called me to take the boys to have them safe.

While my daughters lived their lives, I travelled my course. By age 45 I was a person I liked. I learned who I was. I found an inner peace and strength I was happy with. I had confidence in myself and my abilities. I lived my standards.

I was happy. I was alive! I had a job, was seeing life sober. I eagerly embraced new friends and ideas. And I had grandchildren in my life I could spoil without restraint.

But my oldest daughter’s life was spiraling out of control. I did what I could. Had the boys, bathed, fed, clothed them. Spoilt them and sent them home to chaos.

My daughter’s partner left when the youngest was 7 months old. He wanted the 2 year old. A judge put a stop to that. My daughter’s lifestyle didn’t change. Street kids were in and out. Chaos stayed. Along with neglect, no structure and mixed messages. DOCS became more involved.

My daughter had her third boy in 2003. While pregnant she met her current partner. They have a little girl who is a delight and turned 8 this year.

To steal a line from Bob Dylan ‘the times they are a changing’. And they had to. Any blind man and his dog could see that. My grandchildren were out of control, unruly, disobedient and impulsive. Discipline was not in their vocabulary. They learned. They watched. They listened. They knew swear words and uncouth behaviour. They lived with bongs, trash and little sleep. Watching the one person who was lost to them. They were threatened with ‘being taken by DOCS’. DOCS didn’t take them. I was given them. By my daughter, by my husband, by the courts. Three of them. They were 4½, 3½ and 5 months respectively. I was 50. So while my daughter was working at her life with her new partner and daughter, I worked on my new life with my husband and our three grandsons who became our boys. I stopped working a month after I got the boys. No-one could manage the two older boys together. No-one!!! Sounds melodramatic now but it was so true. So diverse in their nature. They bounced off each other. Fought and argued. Punched and scratched. Pumped at each other. Dominant and defiant. Lost and scared. Trusting and untrustful. Unmanageable and undisciplined.

I was now living on high 24/7 alert. The boys were a constant sea of movement. I was stalled on high gear. Life became a battleground of changing emotions. A bottomless pit of terrible despair. Loss of hope. Just functioning with skills stored in the sub-conscious. I flowed through a timeframe of years incapable of looking after myself.


My Caring Story - Perseverance

Exhausted I showered the boys with my time, my heart. Physically and mentally I was drained. Sleep deprived I watched and loved, laughed and cried. I sought help. From ‘Good Beginnings’ to a ‘Parenting Class’ – a grandparent, learning to adapt to my changing status. I dragged the younger ones around with me, looking for a quick fix to my changing world.

The eldest boy started school and it soon became obvious he was out of his depth. Pushed to the end of the line. Overlooked in friendships being formed. A solid eagerness turning to a forlorn withdrawal. A heart breaking, a wretchedness within. He mucked up more. ADHD was diagnosed. I had him on medication from year 1 to year 5. I’d like to say he returned to his mum this year – confident and well adjusted. He didn’t. Life isn’t a movie. He went back troubled, withdrawn and depressed. He is a loner and hasn’t adjusted to high school at all. Being enclosed in with large groups terrifies him. He sees doctors, counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists. Of course he has a label for his problems. But since returning to his mum he has settled. He is happy. He has accepted their ground rules. That’s what I care about – seeing him happy. He said to me recently “I love you, but she is my mum.” I don’t argue about that.

My middle grandson’s mental health issues were more readily addressed because he was so ‘out there’ with his aggression. Clingy to me, he lashed out uncontrollably. At anyone. He bellowed. I’d have to restrain him with my arms wrapped around him until his rage subsided.

I once described him as ‘The Hulk’ to a support worker in the Family First Group I had since joined.

Meek. Mild, tender. Friends came easily to him – until – a rage so powerful was released within. He’d become all powerful. He lashed out verbally and physically. Hits, scratches, bites, kicking. Full punches swinging. He lost friends. He became scared of his anger. So did I. So did his friends.

I’ll describe one of many incidents in our struggle together. Preschool – call from panicked teacher. My boy had let loose on the school, his friend and the teacher. He was expelled until they deemed he was ‘socially acceptable’. So off we trot to a doctor, who in turn sends us to a paediatrician. My boy hid under my chair the whole visit. And the next few. What a mess. What a sight I must have been. Desperation does that to you. People believe.

He went on medication. He stopped in year 5. He spent three months at the Early Intervention Centre, and then he was accepted back into preschool. He is back with his mum now too. He goes to high school next year. He is happy and I can see he is and I am too. They have changed. Our years together have developed them. I taught them choices. My values and ideals are different to what a teenager wants. I can only hope they survive the turbulence of adolescence and feel settled within themselves. Kindness, thoughtfulness and all the other goodness I would like them to have.

It wasn’t easy for me to let them go.

My daughter had told them when she had a bigger home they could eventually go home to her. They lived with this hope for a long time.

We watched her and her partner grow. The daughter was settled. She has manners and an easygoing demeanor.

My husband found them a 4 bedroom home to rent. He was ready to trust. He said to me ‘Perhaps it is time’. And he allowed the boys their choice.

In those 8½ years I lost my own direction. Time to think of myself got lost in the constant flow of the demands of being a mum again. I struggled with self doubt. Lost all confidence in my abilities. I was weighted down with a broken willpower and loss of self control. I battled depression, having no time to grieve for the loss of contact with my daughter, trying desperately to understand how she could want to give the boys away. Attempting to explain the unexplainable to the older two.

I cried, they cried and we created our family hug. A big, big, huge hug that encircles the five of us.

We loved, we fought, we despaired, we challenged. We survived.

I would not have managed this part of my life’s journey without reaching out for help. Nothing can be private. It’s just too hard on your own.

I found a Grandparent Group and from this encounter met wonderful people who guided me to the Foster Carers Group. From here I’ve ventured into my very caring Mental Health Carers Group.

Ahhh, I hear you saying. You got 3 boys given to you? Yes. I did.

… continued on page 5


The ‘Recipe’ for Recovery

Despite there being no simple formula for recovery there are some common themes that have emerged. They involve the interplay between internal conditions (the person’s attitudes, experiences, sense of hope and sense of meaning or purpose) and external conditions both social and physical (relationships for comfort and intimacy, peer support, good food, a decent place to live, meaningful activities, work and services).

Hope

Hope lays the groundwork for recovery. It is the person’s belief that recovery is possible. It involves recognising and accepting that there is a problem, committing to change, focusing on strengths rather than ruminating on the past, celebrating small successes rather than expecting rapid change, reordering priorities and cultivating optimism. Hope expands the sphere of possibility and sustains people even during periods of relapse.

It is very important for people who have become unwell to have people around them who maintain hope and a belief that recovery is possible.

Finding a Sense of One’s Self and a Sense of Control

Recovery involves finding the self apart from the illness - realizing they are not the illness, only that they have an illness. The illness is not who they are. As this reconnection with themselves occur, self-esteem and self respect can again emerge. This can lead to a sense of control and a sense of purpose. A sense of control can come from managing the illness. This may involve medication, developing a healthy lifestyle, monitoring stress and early warning signs and using the necessary strategies to manage these. Control also comes from the belief by the person that they can control their own lives; that they are masters of their own destiny. The sense of purpose can develop through relationships, work, political action, creativity or spirituality. Carers can encourage these activities.

Empowerment

People involved in the mental health service system can develop a sense of helplessness, dependency and lack of control. They go through hospital wards, are placed on Treatment Orders and those around them consistently tell them what to do and give negative messages about their future. However, when a person’s identity shifts from being a patient to being a person who has control, then a sense of empowerment emerges.

This has three components.

• The first is autonomy, or the ability to act as an independent agent. The tools needed to act autonomously include knowledge, self confidence and the availability of meaningful choices.

• The second is courage - a willingness to take risks and step outside safe routines.

• The third is to take responsibility for the choices made.

If you are a family member or carer working within the recovery framework you would allow the person you care for to set their own goals and allow them the opportunity to fail and learn from mistakes. As caring people we naturally don’t want the people we love or care for to make mistakes. We want to protect people from the stress that this may cause.

However, in order for recovery to take place people need to gradually assume more responsibility for themselves. This involves developing goals, working with family, friends and professionals to reach the goals, making decisions and taking care of themselves. Full empowerment means people living with the consequences of their choices.

Connection

Recovery is a profoundly social process that involves reconnecting with others and the world - “getting a life”. To make connections, social roles need to be established. These may be through activities, relationships or work.

Studies have shown that people with a mental illness have social relationships roughly half the size of the general population. Further, limited social supports increase the likelihood of symptoms and reduce the likelihood of supports being accessed in times of stress. Many people have found that one of the most powerful forms of connection is through helping others with a mental illness, by becoming an advocate, a mental health service provider, joining a self help group or telling their own stories. In this way they can validate and reconcile their own experience and serve as a role model for others.

Human Rights

The conditions in the society in which a person lives can affect a person’s ability to recover. People with mental illness deserve all their basic human rights available to them.

Overall carers can help a person recover by encouraging hope, trusting the person, accepting them as they are, providing options, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, focusing on strengths, allowing risks and consequences.

Reproduced with permission from http://www.health.qld.gov.au/mhcarer/recovery.asp


What Does Recovery Mean To You As A Carer?

The youngest is 9 now. He is the baby we never had together. He has some traits of his brothers. Has no psychological dramas. Makes friends easily. He is happy and has a very good relationship with his mum and her partner. He calls his sister ‘a pain’. He had Family Day Care, preschool and babysitters. He is now in year 3. He too, is on medication for ADHD.

I found acceptance of my situation and doggly pushed on.

I am told I am amazing, extraordinary. I am humbled by these assertions. I am a Grandma. It’s what Grandmas do.

My name for surviving this – Perseverance.

My name for living this – Love.

I am 59 now. Finding confidence to face my next challenge.

Its about me. Again.

My Caring Story - Perseverance (continued)

You have just read about recovery and what it means for the person you are caring for and how you can assist and support their efforts. But what about you, how do you recover from the impact mental illness has on your own world?

Over time, carers and families too can experience recovery. It may take time, it may not be predictable, but there is always the hope of getting more of your own life back. In time, carers and families, can start to think of future plans and see that there is the possibility of a hopeful future living with mental illness.

You can become used to caregiving relationships. Some caregivers find it hard to step back and adjust to the person’s independence and yes there will be times when you might worry about their choices ... But as a carer told us “ I have no control over what my son is doing, he will do it regardless of what I say. But I need to let him go and make his own mistakes. In order to disconnect I need to let him go and do that. He has the right to make choices, he is an adult, and he has the right to be himself.”

As a carer you have to have an understanding of what recovery is and what it means for you and your family.

Acknowledge that you have needs. Use the time when the person is well to focus on things that are important to you and restore your energy. Always try to make time to do things that you enjoy and maintain contact with friends and family.

Learn to say ‘no’ to demands that are unreasonable or unmanageable. Keep in mind that although you can help, the person needs to find ways to live with their illness and take responsibility for their life.

Remember, you have needs, plans and a life to live too ...

“You have to come to an understanding of what recovery is. We all have to figure out what that means for ourselves. For me it’s better outcomes, I know it’s not pure, not all rosy and suddenly you get better ...”

Carer - Intangible

“Perseverance is not a long race, it is many short races one after another.” Walter Elliot


Carers Week and Mental Health Month Awards

Carers Week 2012 saw seven carers and five support groups from around New South Wales being recognised at the NSW Carers Awards ceremony at Parliament House during Carers Week. In addition to these recipients, awards were presented to 53 individual carers and 10 organisations across NSW. The awards

acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contribution that carers make to those they care for and the vital role they play in the wider community.

The 2012 NSW Carer of the year Award went to Maria Heaton, and six ‘highly commended’ individual Carers Award recipients were: Margot White from Broken Hill; Wendy Brown from Queanbeyan; Pamela Comerford from Charlestown; Tevita Mahe from Belfield; Ping Mu from Cherrybrook; and Lisa Ashford-Potter from Woonona.

Margot has been a carer for over 20 years and recently has been a great advocate for carers in the Far West by participating in the Intangible Project, as well as the Carers NSW e-learning tool, Mental Health Foundations for Carers. On behalf of the F&CMHP we would like to congratulate Margot and all of the recipients and nominees of the 2012 NSW Carers Awards. Margot White accepting her award from Minister Constance at Parliament House.

Intangible Project Honoured

Written by Susan Daly, Director, Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service, Far West LHD

The Family and Carer Mental Health Program, Far West LHD had a bumper month in October. Their storytelling project ‘Intangible’ won the Family and Carer Involvement and Engagement Award in the 2012 NSW Mental Health Matters Awards and received considerable acclaim at the inaugural NSW Innovations Forum, sponsored by the Minister for Health, the Hon Jillian Skinner.

The Mental Health Matters Awards acknowledge innovative and effective programs aimed at improving understanding, awareness, service provision and the general mental health of the community. Tanya Clifton, representing the Family and Mental Health Program, and Karrie Lannstrom, one of the carer participants, received the prestigious award from the Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Kevin Humphries at NSW Parliament House on 10 October 2012.

The next week, Tanya travelled again to Sydney because ‘Intangible’ was selected as a showcase program for the first NSW Innovations Forum. As Minister Skinner stated: “The inaugural symposium brings together people from across the state who are shining a light on the new ways of delivering health care. They can learn from each other and inspire others.”

‘Intangible’ really is a shining light and it’s impressive to see that light shine from so far out west to inspire people from the rest of the state. Congratulations to Barb, Freda, Isobel, Karrie, Margot, Pat and Rachel for sharing your stories.

Karrie Lannstrom with Susan Daly at Parliament House with the award.


Carer Wellbeing Tips - CHOOSE to be Happy

By Dr Timothy Sharp - Reprinted with permission from The Happiness Institute www.thehappinessinstitute.com

Achieving happiness requires nothing more than practicing a few simple disciplines, every day.

At The Happiness Institute, we believe happiness is something you choose.

And we’ve specifically chosen the word “choose” because each of its letters stands for one of our key happiness strategies.

C = Clarity (of goals, direction and life purpose)

Happy people set clear goals and determine clear and specific plans to ensure these goals become reality. So clarify your life plan now (because no one else will do it for you!).

H = Healthy Living (activity and exercise, diet and nutrition, and sleep)

Health forms a crucial part of the foundation to happiness. It’s hard to be happy if you’re literally sick and tired all the time. So do whatever you can to be healthy and you’ll also boost your chances of being happy.

O = Optimism (positive but realistic thinking)

There’s no doubt that happy people think about themselves, others and the world differently. Among other things, they search for more positives. The good news is that this is something you can learn to do so start practicing now.

O = Others (the key relationships in your life)

Research strongly indicates that happy people have both more and better quality relationships. So make sure you devote time to developing and fostering your key relationships.

S = Strengths (your core qualities and attributes)

Rather than spending all their time trying to “fix” their “weaknesses”, happy people spend more time identifying and utilising their strengths. Find out what you’re good at and do it as much as possible.

E = Enjoy the moment (live in, and appreciate the present)

The past is history, tomorrow’s a mystery, and today’s a gift – that’s why they call it “the present”. Live in the moment and enjoy life more.

So CHOOSE to be happy now!

“People are just as happy as they make up their

minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln

Tips for Zest and Energy

Tips for boosting happiness by kick starting your day with a range of positive energisers … so for more happiness via zest and energy, start each and every day with some or all of the following:

1. turn on some of your favourite music 2. spend a few minutes practicing gratitude and

appreciation 3. plan at least one pleasurable and at least one

satisfying event for later in the day (you can even do this the night before) then enjoy the positive anticipation of looking forward to the pleasure and satisfaction

4. get in, straight away, to some vigorous exercise 5. make sure you have some goals, even small ones,

to work towards 6. visualise your perfect day; a day in which you

achieve all your goals 7. schedule at least some time in which you'll

connect with at least one of the more positive people in your life

8. make a commitment to eat healthily 9. find at least one way to use at least one of your

strengths 10. and don't forget to have fun!


A Contributing Life: the 2012 National Report Card

December saw the release of the National Mental Health Commission’s ‘A Contributing Life: the 2012 National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention’. This is the Commission’s inaugural annual report card. It is built on the personal stories of people who aren’t often heard - people with a lived experience of mental health difficulty, their families and supporters - the report card views mental health as an issue affecting every aspect of the life of a person; a “whole-of-life approach”. It’s theme, ‘A Contributing Life’, recognises that people with mental health difficulties need the same things as everyone else - a stable home, a decent education, a job, family, friends and healthy relationships, good treatment and access to services and rights.

In launching the report card, Professor Allan Fels, Chair of the National Mental Health Commission said “Every Australian will experience a mental health difficulty themselves or they will be impacted by the experiences of someone close to them. One in five Australians adults experience a mental health difficulty in any given year, and an estimated 7.29 million Australians aged 16 to 85 have a lived experience of mental illness.”

The report card paints a big reform picture, makes ten specific recommendations, and calls for change in a range of areas where the Commission believes action can and must start now.

The report is available online, where you can also view some videos of mental health carers experiences behind the information contained in the report.

The National Mental Health Commission regularly hold open community and stakeholder forums as they visit communities around Australia and if you would like to stay informed about future events you can subscribe online to their mail list.

To view the report: www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au

The Mental Health Council of Australia released ‘Recognition and Respect: Mental Health Carers Report 2012’ in November. This report builds on the groundbreaking work of ‘Adversity to Advocacy: the lives and hopes of mental health carers’ (2009) and the ‘Mental Health Carers Report 2010’.

The report provides an insight into the lives of people who regularly care for someone with a mental illness.

The report is based on a survey of 508 mental health carers focussing on the 15 key issues identified in the 2008-2009 workshops and describes carers perspectives on the services available to them and the people they are caring for.

To view the report: www.mhca.org.au

Just a reminder that there are computers available for your use at your local library. If you are unable to access a copy of these reports and would like to read them, please contact the F&CMHP team in your area.

Recognition and Respect, Mental Health Carers Report 2012


Resources

The Shed Online is an online social community for men, founded by beyondblue: the national depression initiative, The Movember Foundation and the Australian Men’s Shed Association.

Like the original Men’s Sheds, The Shed Online is a place for men to socialise, network, make friends and share skills. It aims to recreate the atmosphere of “real life” Men Sheds – a safe space where men can feel confident to discuss and exchange information. The Shed Online aims to foster a sense of community and build men’s social networks.

In addition to being a place for men to interact with other men The Shed Online also provides men with information on health and wellbeing. Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting with friends and maintaining an active body and mind. Becoming a member of The Shed Online gives men a safe environment where they can find many of these things in the spirit of “old fashioned mateship”.

To visit the website: http://www.theshedonline.org.au/

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain!" Unknown

NEW Checklists for Carers & Consumers Mental Health Treatment Options

The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) has developed checklists to assist consumers and carers to remember key points they may wish to ask of their mental health practitioner. You probably wont want to ask all of the questions, but the checklist allows you to tick those that you would like to ask.

There are times when we are overwhelmed by everything that is going on and we get home and think “I wish I had remembered to ask that” - taking this checklist with you can help with those times.

The checklist can be found online at www.mhca.org.au by clicking on information/publications.

If you don’t have access to the internet and would like a copy of these please contact the F&CMHP team in your area and they can provide you with a copy.


Resources - Technology Corner

With an increasing number of carers using ‘smart’ phones and being connected to the internet - we have decided to include a few apps and interesting pages that can be found on Facebook. We understand that not everyone uses technology, but in keeping with the times we will attempt to be inclusive of online, mobile and written resources over the coming months. As with any resources we review in the newsletter, we are only providing information on what is available or new, not the effectiveness of it.

What is an ‘App’?

A mobile application, most commonly referred to as an ‘app’,

is a type of application software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone (like an iPhone) or tablet computer (like an iPad). Apps are created to significantly improve existing functions of the device, or providing the device with new extremely useful (or, sometimes, silly and interesting) functions. Below are two apps that we have recently found that look interesting.

Live Happy™ - A Happiness Boosting Positive Psychology Program - Live Happy is a positive psychology iPhone app developed with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of the book The How of Happiness and professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside.

This first of its kind mobile happiness boosting program guides users through a set of daily activities that research indicates can boost both short and long term happiness.

Research has shown that to be happy, satisfied and fulfilled, you need to cultivate optimism and shake away negative thoughts. The Live Happy app helps you boost your overall happiness by engaging in simple activities that have been scientifically proven to improve psychological wellbeing. Available from the iTunes AppStore for $0.99.

"Live Happy is an excellent app which can be useful for anyone. It is backed up by research, statistics and the opinions of a whole slew of people who have been positively affected by it." TouchMyApps review

Talking Anxiety SANE Australia, has just launched an app, available from the Apple Store, to help people manage their anxiety. Talking Anxiety aims to give people knowledge and confidence to manage the day to day challenges of living with an

anxiety disorder, by providing access to the experiences of others.

‘What makes the Talking Anxiety app pioneering is the storytelling. Users of the app gain understanding and support from the firsthand accounts of others who’ve ‘been there’ and share the techniques they’ve discovered to manage their symptoms,’ explains SANE Australia CEO Jack Heath.

Developed in partnership with RealTime Health, Talking Anxiety uses video, quizzes to test progress, and Daily Tips sent direct to your iPhone or iPad.

‘People can carry the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of their peers in their pocket,’ says Tina Campbell, Real Time Health’s Managing Director.

Research tells us that many people with an anxiety disorder don’t seek help because they feel their concerns won’t be taken seriously.

‘We also know that up to four in five Australians now turn to the web for health information, so we need to use online and mobile technologies so people can get support when and how they want to,’ Mr Heath explains.

The app has four modules:

• Understanding anxiety;

• What helps;

• How to help yourself;

• How family and friends can help.

Users describe it as ‘innovative, informative and insightful’, and say ‘it’s great that it breaks things down simply and succinctly’. Talking Anxiety is available from the iTunes AppStore for $2.99.


And never forget the importance of what you do ...


Family & Carer Mental Health Program Contact Details

Far West & Western NSW Local Health District

Area Coordinator - Far West & Western NSW Family & Carer Coordinator - Broken Hill

Tanya Clifton

0428 965 310 / 08 8080 1525 [email protected]

Family & Carer Coordinator - Dubbo Kelly Leonard 02 6881 4171 [email protected]

Family & Carer Coordinator - Orange Kylie Gregory 02 6360 7850 [email protected]

Mental Health Manager - Parkes Kylie Byrnes 17 Church Street

02 6863 5426 [email protected]

Mental Health Support Worker - Broken Hill Sophie Angell 1/261 Argent Street


CentaCare

Mental Health Support Worker - Dubbo Ros Ruskin Rowe Kelly Andriske 62 Wingewarra Street

02 6883 4600 [email protected] [email protected]

Coordinator Mental Health Support Worker - Orange

Els De Muynck Kathryn Atkins Kathy Walls 296 Summer Street

02 6393 1900 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Mental Health Support Worker - Mildura Brian Clarke 129 Langtree Avenue


Do you know someone who would be interested in receiving this newsletter? If so, please complete this slip and send it to:

Attn: Tanya Clifton, F&CMHP, PO Box 457, Broken Hill 2880 or contact the F&CMHP staff in your area (details above)

NAME: ______________________________________________ PHONE: ____________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________

EMAIL: ___________________________________________________________________

Would you like your copy sent: via mail via email

family & carer mental health program newsletter edition...story from a carer within the program....

Documents