Carers Family and Friends Support Groups

Barwon Health Mental Health and Drugs & Alcohol Services Family and Friends Newsletter

July & August 2015

Carers Family and Friends Support Groups

Wednesday 1st July- Family Drug Support – in the Green Room at the Swanston Centre Annex from 7.00 – 9.00

For support 24/7 call the FDS support line on 1300 368 186

Thursday 2nd July – Mental Health Carer support and education in the activities room at Barwon Health Community Health Services 104 – 108 Bellarine Hwy Newcomb from 1.00 – 3.00

Thursday 9th July – Creative Carers – ring Jennifer or Serena for details – some ‘creative carer’ sessions require advance booking so that adequate materials can be supplied.

Wednesday 15th July – Family Drug Support – in the Green Room at the Swanston Centre Annex from 7.00 – 9.00

Wednesday 29th July – Family Drug Support – in the Green Room at the Swanston Centre Annex from 7.00 – 9.00

Thursday 6th August – Mental Health Carer Support and education in the activities room at Barwon Health Community Health Services 104 – 108 Bellarine Hwy Newcomb from with Jennifer -2.00 – 4.00 NOTE NEW TIME

Wednesday 12th August – Family Drug Support – in the Green Room at the Swanston Centre Annex from 7.00 – 9.00

Thursday 13th August – Creative Carers – ring Jennifer or Serena for details – some creative carer sessions require advance booking so that adequate materials can be supplied.

Wednesday 26th August – Family Drug Support – in the Green Room at the Swanston Centre Annex from 7.00 – 9.00

Thursday 27th August – Mutual Support and self-help for Mental Health carers, family and friends from 2.00 – 4.00 in the activities room at Barwon Health Community Health Services 104 – 108 Bellarine Hwy Newcomb This is thesecond of a trial which will run initially every 2 months or as need is perceived. Share your grievances, concerns or successes with a cuppa in a safe, confidential and supportive environment

Support group

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Why join a support group?

To meet others in a similar position
To have a break
To get information
For support

Sharing ideas, feelings, worries, information and problems can help you feel less isolated. Sometimes family and friends don’t understand the condition of the person you care for. People in the support group will understand. They will tell you that sometimesit is ok not to be ok. The constant demands of caring and the many changes in family life may bring about a range of feelings and emotions. Some people may feel a sense of satisfaction about being a carer. Others may feel angry and overwhelmed at times. These emotions can be difficult to cope with.

Carers may experience a range of different feelings, which surface from time to time. There are no right or wrong feelings. These feelings are a natural and normal reaction to caring.

All carers respond to the demands of caring in their own way. Feelings are always individual and everyone will react differently. Regard your feelings as signposts. They will tell you when things are not going well and need your attention.

Some of the feelings carers often say they experience - overwhelmed, confused, shocked, guilty, frustrated, angry, afraid, sad, stressed, lonely, depressed, resentful, embarrassed, isolated, tired and feel a sense of loss of expectations.

At other times, love for and commitment to the person being cared for override the negative thoughts and feelings.

Being a carer:

“The tree changes as it grows. It is torn by wind and lightning, scarred by frost and snow. Branches die and new ones emerge. The drama of existence has its way with the tree but still it grows; its roots reach down into the darkness; still its branches reach down into the sap and reach upward and outward into the world.” Michael Leunig

Michael Leunig’s words suggest that even in times of suffering there is potential for hope and new life. Often this can seem impossible when you are caring for someone. However, if you are able to find support and some space to be yourself, then you may well be able to manage the situation more easily.

It is hard, sometimes, to be positive. As a carer you may often feel tired, depleted, exhausted, and perhaps self-critical. You may feel crushed, as if your ‘sap of life’ is being diminished. You are undertaking a workload that is immense (so be kind to yourself).

Come sit down beside me

I said to myself,

And although it doesn’t make sense

I held my own hand

As a small sign of trust

And together I sat on the Fence

Michael Leunig

An Unrecognised Grief Annie Cantwell-Bartl A Carers Victoria booklet 2001

Help developguidelines for carers of people with depression

Those with experience in dealing withmajor depressive disorder, that is carers,consumers andclinicians,are invited to consider becomingexpert panelmembersto help develop a useful, publicly accessible informationresource (guidelines) for carers of people (18 years or over) with major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorderis a challenging but treatable condition.Understandably, carers sometimes feel distressed and worried when their loved one is depressed. Many carers seek information to help them deal with their concerns, and find out about options for providing support in their situation.We would greatly appreciate your help with what we believe to be an extremely important and worthwhile project to help develop this information resource for carers.

What will panel members do?

Expert panel members will be asked to rate statements on online (or postal if preferred) surveys about what they consider might be helpful to include in the guidelines and can add comments and suggestions.This project has ethics approval and participation is voluntary, confidential and private.Panel members who complete all survey rounds (maximum 3) will be offered an Amazon Voucher for AUD $30. Participating organisations and panel members will receive a copy of the guidelines, and summaries of results and related journal publications.

For more information or to register your interest in participating

Please contact Lesley Berkvia email phone 0402 518 843.

This research is being conducted in the School of Psychology at Deakin University by Dr Lesley Berk and the icarestudy team.

What does a healthy brain do?

The brain has two hemispheres – the left (dominant) and the right (non-dominant). Separately and together, each hemisphere allows us to constantly carry out the activities required to function in life and that makes each of us unique.

The brain is further divided into sections or lobes, each of which has specific functions (see diagram below). While particular lobes may make a specialised contribution, they do not work in isolation. Instead networks of brain regions work together to execute the behaviours and functions we perform every day.

To function as complete human beings there is a constant interchange between both sides and lobes of the brain.

What a clever machine!

A Carer’s voice:

On a cold wintery day read this and remember :

Yeast

Yeast has many wonderful memories from my childhood where the whole house takes on the aroma of bread and buns baking.

Easter (school) holidays was a time when we would have a test run of making buns in readiness for Easter.

Of course the true Easter bun had to have fruit with the white cross on the top and a glaze over the bun to make it extra special.

I love the smell of the wood stove making the house all warm and cosy.

Mum would say if only the oven door had a window in it, we could watch them rise. Little did she know that one day ovens would have windows in them.

We did make them in the gas oven once but nothing beats our old wood stove for perfect Easter buns made with fresh yeast.

Today you can get Easter buns with no fruit in them but it just is not the same for me.

I am a true hot cross bun kid from way back and the aroma of mum’s kitchen is a treasured memory.

By Ellen Bailey

Anxiety workshop: Some of us were privileged to hear Johnnie McKay from Carers Victoria give his presentation on anxiety & the caring role. At this session he talked about deep diaphragmatic and belly breathing and reminded us that these breathing techniques are free, accessible, induce calm, increase oxygenation to the brain, reduce stress and improve blood flow. Place your hands on your belly and breathe deeply as though inflating a ball – pushing your stomach out not up. Practice next time you are waiting at traffic lights. Breathe like a baby and feel the benefits.

Counselling:

It can be tough being a carer. It can be difficult dealing with a range of emotions, thoughts and experiences that carers encounter. Talking it over can help.

Free, confidential counselling specially designed for carers is offered by Carers Victoria – short term – up to six sessions at a time.

You may be feeling stressed, guilty, confused or overwhelmed by your caring role. Dealing with these emotions is not always easy.

Talking with a professional counsellor can help to make a difference to your caring role and your life. Counsellors won’t judge you, but they will listen and encourage you to talk about your worries.

Counselling can help you with:

Coping skills
Loss and grief
Managing stress
Emotional Support
Health and wellbeing
Practical problem solving

For more information contact the Carer Advisory Line on 1800 242 636

Thursday 3rd September – Relax and Unwind – a session presented by Carers Victoria – in the activities room at Barwon Health Community Health Services at Newcomb – from 2.00 – 4.00

Have you forgotten how to relax? Do you want to try some simple enjoyable techniques to unwind and recharge that are easy to fir into a busy life?

All mental health carers, family and friends are welcome

Future Education Sessions

Please let me know if there are any topics you would like covered/discussed in our regular education sessions.

Please note that I have changed the time to 2.00 – 4.00 on the first Thursday of each month so that I may attend “Creating Safety’ meetings each Thursday at the Swanston Centre.

I will take several weeks Long Service Leave from 20th July to 17th August - travelling to Perth, Broome and Darwin in search of blue skies, sunshine & relaxation.

For carer support & information about mental health services

Ring Pamela – 421 52418 or mob 0437 663 845

Jennifer – 421 52419 or mob 0490 346 694

Note land line numbers – recently all Barwon Health telephone numbers changed and the prefix to the land lines is 421

We both work part time so leave a message & we will call you as soon as possible

For respite services

Ring the intake worker – FREECALL 1800 052 222

National Family Drug Support

Available 7 days a week 24 hours a day – phone 1300 368 186

Lifeline 131114

This is a 24-hour telephone crisis service available every day of the year to anyone, anytime and from anywhere in Australia for just the cost of a local call

Beyond Blue

Talk it through day or night

1300 224 636

SANE Helpline

Information and advice 9 – 5 weekdays

Suicide Helpline 1300 651 251