Information and articles from the MDF in Darlington
Hello and welcome to this blog. You’ve found us, hooray! This blog features articles from the MDF Darlington Newsletter, in addition to other things we might come up with from time to time. It also allows members to comment on what they read here, and stay in touch with each other whilst accessing information and supporting other members. Articles coming soon.
Jo
29th March – Mark Graham from Mental Health Matters (To be confirmed).
26th April - Speaker on the subject of care plans – from the Care Programme Approach (CPA) department (To be confirmed).
All meetings are at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Market Place, Darlington and take place from 7 – 9 pm.
Dennis wrote this article for the Rethink Co. Durham Newsletter. Here, he talks about Manic Depression from the carer’s point of view.
In the beginning there was nothing, I knew nothing and I didn’t want to know, so what was there already, have changes been made. I was on a learning curve, in a passage of time, what is this mental health all about, Care, Containment, understanding.
Over 25 years ago there was no qualifications or training, just like politicians you had to be there. No help from the establishment (I didn’t think they were particularly well versed in their approach to be helpful – a little scared of breaching rules or confidentiality or some such thing). But I was there, I got the Job. No Pay. No Holidays, No Help – all the blame, inflexible working hours 24 hours 365 days, find or fend for yourself, find your own information, you start now.
How things have changed with the advent of modern technology and information. The analysis of famous historical figures where it is suggested that some of their remarkable achievements were due to an inspiration in mental abberation. This together with the courage of many prominent people able and willing to write, talk and recount the numerous incidents which befall those who have a mental illness condition or breakdown; and to bring to the general public that a sufferer of a mental health problem is just as valuable a person as everyone else and can contribute to society. Times are definitely changing - official organisations and bodies, first-line staff are now on a very common sense approach and like us all the best we can do is not yet good enough. We must be better in supplying Hope, Compassion and Love.
MDF members have been assisting Lacey Turner – who plays Stacey Slater in EastEnders - with her current storyline. In the popular soap, Stacey is diagnosed with Bipolar disorder just as her mother had some years before. The scriptwriters and editors worked with MDF to ensure that the portrayal of Bipolar was sympathetic and accurate.
The portrayal of mental illness in soap operas is not so new however – remember the when the character Joe Wicks in EastEnders had a schizophrenic episode? I remember that it was enthusiastically received by people with schizophrenia at the time.
There is evidence to show that the storyline has encouraged young people to seek help for bipolar mood swings – apparently the number of 18-24 year olds seeking help for Bipolar has doubled in recent months. Bipolar disorder is often first diagnosed at this age (I know I was!) so this encouragement can only be a good thing.
Apologies for the incorrect dates printed in the last Newsletter!
26th October – General discussion, including about how we want to update the video.
30th November – Speaker: to be confirmed
December – No meeting, Merry Christmas!
January 25th – TBA
All meetings are at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Market Place, Darlington and take place from 7 – 9 pm.
Ok, more than a few of you will have looked at this title and said ‘Huh?’ So, allow me to explain myself. ‘Spoon theory’ is one woman’s attempt to describe the experience of living with hidden illnesses and disabilities – in her case, Lupus. But the theory can be just as easily be applied to mental illnesses. Read the rest of this entry »
Production of the updated ‘Not So Manic Now’ DVD is now under way as it has been re-digitised from the VHS video and ‘sliced’ for editing in order to update the logos and contact details etc. Last month we discussed whether or not we wanted to film an entirely new section looking at how things have changed over the last 12 years.
My own thoughts are that it would be good to look at developments in medication and treatment, plus I think it would be a good idea to interview the public - as happened in 1997 – to see how public perceptions of manic depression/Bipolar disorder have changed. Bring your thoughts and ideas along to the next meeting.
One of the best autobiographies of bipolar illness I have read, partly because I could relate to a lot of the experiences she went through.
From becoming unwell in her teens and struggling to work whilst suffering with this illness, to experiencing time in a psychiatric hospital & coping with the delusion of imminent death. Also as she lives locally it made it even more real.
It is written in a very easy to read way, plus it is relatively short and would appeal to anyone with an interest in mental illness not just bipolar.
By Jane Fell.
Sadly July’s barbecue was our last meeting at Mind. However, Gary Emerson the CEO of Darlington Mind has kindly offered to pay for a year’s room hire for the group. From now on we will be meeting on the last Monday of the month at:
St. Cuthbert’s Church Hall
The Market Place
Darlington
DL1 5QG
