Page 28 - link magazine

Focus on Mental Health
28

Labelled a 'loon A group of women who have had mental health problems meet each week in West Swindon.
Y
Gina Dennis joined them to find out what it is like to be diagnosed as 'mentally ill'.
Mental illness, it seems, is still ages tend to polarise 'sanity' and And information is vital. Carers issues are for you is crucial'. And,
something that 'happens to other 'madness'; people are either 'nor- are rarely told anything about the although the group acknowledged
people'; it carries a stigma which mal' or 'mad enough to be locked patient's diagnosis, leaving them the huge pressures on the mental
marks you as a social outcast and up'. There is little understanding unequipped to provide what is health services, delayed appoint-
everything else about you is dis- that mental illness, like physical needed. The group felt strongly ments can feel like the end of the
credited. illness, can strike anyone and, that people would get better sooner world. Anne commented that
The women in the group admitted whilst traumatic and debilitating, if their families were well-informed sometimes you don't feel that pro-
that, prior to their own illness, they is not necessarily this extreme. about their illness and helped to fessionals really understand what
give the right support. your experience is. Liz suggested,
would probably have rejected oth- When first diagnosed, there is a lot
ers who were mentally ill. of fear about how family and For most of the group, such infor- "a physical illness can be seen. Feel-
Social perceptions and media im- friends will react. Sadly, some re- mation has not been made avail- ings can't. Instead of telling them
what you really feel, sometimes you
ally 'don't want to know'. able even two or three years on.
create an embroidered version."
Because of the stigma, both the For these women, coming to
sufferer and their family will try to groups has often helped more than Although people do recover from
CHIROPODIST hide the real nature of the illness, anything, "because people work mental illness, the stigma remains.
inventing physical ills as a cover. out a way together." Talking and It is more acceptable to show a
& But, at the same time, "you imag- sharing is vital. It lets out 'an accu- period in prison than to admit to
ine there's a label across your fore- mulation which has reached break- mental health problems on job ap-
Advanced Reflexologist head saying 'loony'." This sense ing point'. Often what one person plications. But the group felt
of shame also makes it hard to ask says triggers a buried awareness strongly that, if a doctor considers
CLINIC AT HIGH STREET for information. for others. Openness and honesty you fit to work, there should not
WoorroN BASSETr are movingly obvious within the be an issue. Indeed, you may well
be a stronger, more understand-
group. They wished that they had
For an appointment with BACK PAIN come together sooner. ing person.
df9 Mrs Lesley Taylor . Whilst professional support is ap- "Although it was a terrible experi-
MBChA, MSSCh If you are suffering from: preciated, 'having the right per- ence, it's done me good having a
son who understands what the real breakdown," said Liz. "It's slowed
ackache, Leg pain me down to a more realistic pace."
Call (01793) 849914 o Neck,
Shoulder,
anytime TWIGS grow stronger after a year
Arm Pain
In November last year, Swindon's horticultural therapy project, TWIGS,
Q Headache
VERRUCAS & & Migraine was established at Moredon Gardens in Cheney Manor, to help people
rebuild their lives through gardening and craft activities.
Sciatica
WARTS (hands) l o
o Sports Injury
A PROBLEM?
o Whiplash
Book your appointment with
Martin Drew MBcHA, MSSch You should consider
consulting a Chiropractor
CHIROPODIST
SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C.
Children's verruca surgery open.
Shaw Chiropractic Clinic
All other aspects of foot care '
catered for. Shaw Village Centre
Call free anytime on Tel: (01793) 887801
0800 7316879
Home visit service or come to our, 7 V Member of the British
modern town centre surgery Chiropractic Association
TWIGS members in the greenhouse,from left, Robert Wills, project coordina-
tor Alison Duxberry, Ray Muir, Tim Warfield with a bumper crop of tomatoes
Angela Cracknell Chiropodist The voluntary organisation pro- TWIGS than digging - there's a
vides leisure and rehabilitation op- great community spirit here - eve-
Registered Nurse MSSCh MBChA '
portunities for people who are ex- ryone is treated as a person not an
- I
;rhr iji oixtscx periencing emotional distress or illness."
mental ill health. As well as being TWIGS can always use new vol-
Telephone: 01793 613334 fun, gardening and working with unteers, particularly anyone with
Sore
your hands are very therapeutic. indoor gardening or craft skills
Answermachine - all calls returned
feet?
Much enjoyment and satisfaction over the winter months.

/ can be gained by choosing from a If you would like to know more
range of activities: sowing seeds, about TWIGS, to visit or would
REIiU ENERGY RENEWAL tending trees, growing flowers, or like to volunteer, telephone 523294.
weeding, to woodwork and deco-
Experience the benefits of this ancient healing art rating plant containers. Open Day
Volunteers and people who have Sat. 5 December 10am - 3.30pm
F.J. Taylor, Reiki Master/Teacher been referred work alongside each Jubilee Gardens horticultural
Also offering training courses. Tel: (01793) 849914 other on Mondays, Tuesdays and project, Church Bush Hall,
Thursdays, lOam to 4pm. As one Cricklade Road, Purton Stoke. For
or Advanced Reflexology (MIIR)
volunteer said, "there's more to further information, call 771539.