“Cornwall MP Treats Mental Health as a Joke”

~ Vickyw

I was sadly less than impressed with the response I received from my local MP after contacting her about Increasing Mental Health Funding.

MQ Mental Health Research emailed me about a campaign they were running on asking MPs about mental health funding.

So I clicked on the email link to my local MP, Sheryll Murray.

Like most MPs, she probably never even read the email as a standard letter from her secretary came back.

Not only did she never answer the question, the fact that the question was about something as important as mental health, which one in four of us in the UK are known to suffer from, and the number increased during the recent pandemic.

The recent pandemic has also taken lives due to there being no help available as free helplines who offer help also have waiting lists as well as the NHS.

Unless you go private which costs around £50 plus per hour, the likeliness of receiving any help let alone the correct help is next to nothing.

This is why we need more counsellors, nurses, doctors and a mental health facility in Cornwall. These mental health professionals need to be properly trained so they can research mental health more accurately.

I received 12 CAT therapy sessions back in 2012 before seeking private talking therapy from 2013 – 2015.

I then received CAT Therapy for a few sessions during 2016 and some refresher sessions towards 2018.

I’ve been on a waiting list for over three years due to the pandemic, and a mental health nurse didn’t contact me until a few months ago.
I’m currently being treated for a mood disorder.

I did receive some free sessions from a counsellor at Cornwall College over the summer, which was mostly talking therapy, and I was speaking to a man from Mind after reaching out to charities for help.

However, they weren’t qualified to diagnose me and suggested I would be better off seeing a psychiatrist.

Although the psychiatrist doesn’t think I have bipolar, I take meds for the same thing.

During that time, I lost friendships and did some unusual things to people, which I regret.

With the correct help, these issues might have been resolved without it giving me another mental meltdown.

Why are there no GP appointments available? let alone mental health teams seeing patients face to face? Why are so-called mental health professionals not around weekends and evenings?

You will be lucky to get an appointment via video or phone due to the increasing numbers of people developing problems due to the pandemic.

More mental health funding is needed to help fund research and staff.

Research shows an increase in Alcohol

~ Vickyw

According to research, the UK is the only European country that saw alcohol consumption rise during the pandemic.

The rise in Alcohol consumption occurred as the UK was more stressed than other countries as the nation experienced higher death tolls and financial instability. 

This number is in line with previous reports of Britain getting drunk more often than 35 other nations and having higher levels of binge drinking than many other countries.

However, that being said, some have reduced their alcohol intake in the pandemic.

Those people are now looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle. 

One in three people increased their alcohol consumption during lockdown; many opted for sobriety and jumped on board the “sober curious” trend.

What is sober curious and what it is?

The hangovers, fuzzy heads, and nausea after a night out often make us feel like drinking isn’t worth it. 

Not only can drinking affect our bodies, but it can even leave us feeling anxious, which has been dubbed “hangxiety”. 

More people are deciding to stay sober without meeting the criteria for alcohol dependency or disorders – they just prefer to live a sober life out of personal choice or for wellness reasons.

If you’re starting to wonder whether becoming teetotal might have a positive impact on your life, you’re not alone.

There is a growing number of “sober curious” people cutting Alcohol out of their lives.

What is encouraging sobriety?

It seems that there are more younger people abstaining from Alcohol than there are older people. 

There are several reasons why fewer people are drinking.

 A prime one may be economic factors, with young people having less time and money to spend on Alcohol.

Furthermore, we are becoming more aware of the health risks of Alcohol and the benefits of looking after ourselves.

Particularly after living through a pandemic, many of us are taking our wellbeing more seriously and eliminating things from our lives that may compromise our immune systems and general health.

Plus, there are more non-alcoholic drink options available than there once was, helping encourage sobriety without making it difficult or unenjoyable.

 We’ve all experienced the disappointing and flat soda gun at pubs and bars. 

Flat cola and limited options make the thought of not drinking Alcohol undesirable, but now there are more and more drinks out there to try. 

Instead of a boring drink, you can choose from exciting flavours like rose lemonade or elderflower.

How you can go sober

Choosing to go teetotal doesn’t mean you have to give up your social life – far from it. 

Here is an easy guide to balancing it with your newfound wellness.

Firstly, if you want to join your friends at the pub, suggest going somewhere you know has great non-alcoholic or mocktail options.

 You can buy craft-style sodas with natural ingredients and unique flavours, or botanical mixers that can be enjoyed on their own. 

Check out menus online to see what you can sip on while staying social with your friends.

Take up a new hobby in something that interests you, like sports or crafts.

 Here, you might find like-minded individuals who will be up for hanging out without the addition of Alcohol. 

If you’re not drinking for health reasons, you could take up some cooking lessons to make the most of your meals and get all the nutrients and nourishment you need.

You’ll find that your weekends will seem longer and that you have more free time, so focusing on yourself and your personal development are great ways to make the most of these newfound sober perks.

For some individuals, going sober can be the best option. 

The sober curious movement could be just the thing you needed for your social life, development, and wellbeing!  

Twinkl tips and ideas for the wellbeing children

~ Vickyw

Twinkl approached me and asked me to contribute some tips and ideas for the wellbeing of children this Autumn.

What is Twinkl?

Twinkl is a website aimed at teachers and parents that provides access to inspirational lesson plans, schemes of work, assessment, interactive activities, resource packs, PowerPoints, teaching ideas.

 The Looneychick Blog is delighted to be featured in Twinkl’s recent blog – Autumn Leaves: Wellbeing Tips & Activities for Children.

Check out some of their resources for wellbeing and resources for mental health, including in partnership with Mind charity.

Thank you so much to all at Twinkl, and I hope my tips are helpful. Remember to keep your children’s mental and physical health active during the Autumn and Winter months. 

It’s easy to laze on the couch and watch TV or play video games during the dark, cold evening but getting out and about wrapped up is much healthier. 

Both parents and children will benefit from socialising with other parents and children and from keeping those pesky colds at bay.

Remember to sanitise and take lots of vitamin C and D.

Let us know in the comments section what you will be doing to keep your children occupied during the Autumn and Winter months?

Mental health sufferers can look forward to holidays

~ Vickyw

Many mental health sufferers in the UK are boosted by the return of holidays in the UK. 

With Autumn upon us and darker, shorter and colder days and nights, research shows how booking a holiday can improve your mood, stress and anxiety levels.

Research has also shown that booking a holiday can improve your mental state and your productivity at work.

This comes as excellent news, as recent surveys conducted by travel agency Travel Department show that travellers are now comfortable to return to international travel and are optimistic that the travel industry will return to pre-pandemic levels in the coming months.

The survey findings show that 61% of respondents believe that holiday travel will return to pre-covid levels by the second half of 2022. 

The results also showed that 71% of respondents feel as though they are “losing time” at this stage of their life by not being able to travel. 

Additionally, 39% of respondents say the pandemic has made them want to visit more places on their travel list.

Sara Zimmerman, CEO of Travel Department, said that there’s been a significant uplift in holiday bookings and that customers are becoming more comfortable about international travel:

We actively listened to our customers throughout the pandemic and understand that some people may have lingering anxieties about travel, so we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure we take care of everything. 

We have created dedicated pages on our website outlining travel requirements by country and taking steps to keep our customers safe while abroad. 

This new research confirms: “holidays are great for our wellbeing, and not just while we’re away, but from the moment we start planning. 

Many of our customers are already benefitting with firm bookings for next year, and we look forward to welcoming many more back over the coming weeks and months.”

She added: “These signs of holiday travel returning to normality are also to be seen in Italy, one of the most popular holiday destinations for the UK and Ireland at the moment. 

Cornwall University also researched and found that planning a holiday can improve mental health and make us feel better about our social and economic means.

According to Jessica De Bloom, Academy Research Fellow in the University of Groningen, holidays not only benefit people’s health but make them happier as well. 

The benefits of a well-needed trip away don’t just come into effect once the holiday has begun and are seen as soon as you start researching accommodation, scrolling through Instagram hashtags or booking your annual leave from work.

 The pandemic has impacted people’s attitudes and actions towards travel. 

Many people share a feeling that life is short and the desire to see more of the world, with some ready to travel.

Have any mental health sufferers in the UK booked a holiday due to poor mental health? Where did you book? Let us know in the comments below?

A Mind Of Their Own Reviewed

~ Vickyw

A Mind Of Their Own is a book about children’s mental health increasing from 2017 to 2020.

Today young people feel more pressured with exams and hobbies in a competitive world to be the best.

Parents and other relatives need to take the pressure off their children and encourage them instead of pushing them too hard and making them feel like a failure if they aren’t very good at something or as good as their fellow peers.

Katherine Hill looks at how positive words can influence thinking and behaviour and how labels can damage children.

Technology also plays a major factor for both adults and children in today’s digital world, where everyone is always online and many of us communicating via social media apps.

Years ago, we could escape from school bullies by going home.

Cyberbullying has now become a problem where children are bullied in their own homes without leaving their homes.

Social networking sites such as Facebook are well documented for bullying children online with some children committing suicide.

Katharine looks at the impact of COVID19 on our children as they have missed out on schooling, seeing their friends.

Some children are better off being homeschooled and enjoy it more than mainstream schooling.

There are also children who can’t work at home and need to go to school and socialise with their friends.

Homeschooled or not, children need to be able to feel confident when communicating with others in the outside world, without feeling anxious about catching a deadly disease every time they leave their homes.

The most important thing we can do for our children is to love and support them. We need to provide a safe space for our families for their growth and development.

A Mind Of Their Own is a powerful read. Each chapter includes personal stories and finishes with action points and activities.

I would recommend this book to all parents and other family members.

How did your children cope during the pandemic? Let us know in the comment section below or on our social media sites.

I will never be forgiven for my past.

~ Vickyw
Judging people for past

I will never be forgiven for my past, and it will always haunt me in this cold, unforgiving world of judgemental humans.

I have a criminal record, and I’m known by the police for being a nuisance stalker, although this isn’t true!

I’m unable to keep friends and boyfriends, which is why I’m staying away from humans for good.

Whenever I fall out with someone, I risk the police turning up on the doorstep, which isn’t good for my health.

I’ve also temporarily moved into my parents home in a new area, and I don’t want the neighbours getting any ideas and the pig brigade turning up at their home.

I will always face a dilemma when meeting new people.

Do I tell people about my past?

If I do, people will judge me and be frightened or hold it against me every time we fallout.

So, if I don’t tell them about my past, they could try to find out, or I will feel like I’m lying to them.

Sometimes I appear to come across as too pushy or needy, but I have a possible Emotionally Unstable personality disorder and Bipolar.

I say potential because I feel I’ve been misdiagnosed and told by a CMHT Psychiatrist I have bipolar traits, and I’m on the spectrum.

I have a mood disorder that CMHT has failed to treat me for.

Yes, I’ve done things that are out of character for a so-called average person to do, but I’m not manipulative, jealous and controlling like some ex associates would have you believe.

There is a friendly, caring and thoughtful side to me where I would do anything for my family and people I once considered friends.

I try so hard for people to love me and see me as a good person that I become too much to the point where people think I’m obsessed with friendships or relationships.

Which I believe is a EUPD trait.

The only difference is I don’t fear being abandoned or alone as I’ve always been this way and rarely connect with humans on a certain level—another reason why I try extra hard to keep people in my life.

I don’t want large groups of people, just a few loyal people who are hard to find, especially when you’re middle-aged with no partner or kids.

My main fear is being a failure, failing to hold down a job, relationships, friendships, and
buying a home.

For this reason, people will always judge me for having a criminal record and for having mental health issues.

I don’t want to be a victim.

I want to have the things in life like relationships, friendships, fun, sadly I don’t think it will ever happen.

Have you ever had trouble with your past haunting and forgiveness?

Cam Adair fights extreme video game addiction

~ Vickyw

Cam Adair’s life started spiralling out of control with video game addiction at the age of 11.

He stopped going to school due to intense bullying and sought refuge in video games. 

While his friends finished their education, Cam was gaming for up to 16 hours a day. Battling depression, he seriously contemplated suicide. 

It was a wake-up call, and that night he made a commitment to change.

After undergoing therapy, Cam found Game Quitters, the world’s largest support community for video game addiction, with members in 95 countries, and INTENTA, an internationally accredited training programme for mental health professionals on problematic and disordered gaming. 

He has been named one of Canada’s top 150 leaders in mental health.

Widely hailed as the world’s leading expert on video game addiction, Cam has featured in two TEDx talks and worldwide media outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes, BBC and CNN. 

He was recently invited to speak at the World Health Organization, sharing his knowledge and insights on lived experiences of gaming disorder.

Here is Cam’s journey from addict to advocate:

“By the age of 21, I was playing video games for up to 16 hours a day. Video game addiction had consumed my life for over ten years. 

I dropped out of high school, never graduated or went to college, and battled depression throughout my teens. 

I don’t want to vilify gaming. 

Playing video games has many benefits. I want to share my personal story of addiction and how seeking help changed my life.

I had a happy childhood, and my life was pretty uneventful until I turned 11. 

I went to school, played hockey, hung out with my friends and enjoyed video games. 

That all changed in the 8th grade when I began to get badly bullied at school and in hockey. 

After that, I avoided going to both whenever possible.

The time I would usually spend at school and hockey I filled with playing video games. 

They were a safe space for me to escape the constant bullying, somewhere I felt happy and in control. 

Eventually, I dropped out of high school and quit hockey, which was once my greatest passion. Life became very insular.

For the next few years, I battled with depression and tried to hide the extent of my addiction. 

My parents said if I wasn’t going to school, I had to find a job. 

But gaming was consuming all my waking hours, so I never managed to hold down a job for more than a month. I even pretended to go to work sometimes. 

After my Dad dropped me off, I would sneak back home, creep into the house and go to bed. I was exhausted after staying up all night playing video games.

In hindsight, I’m ashamed of my, behaviour but I could not stop gaming. I had become increasingly dependent on video games as a way of alleviating my depression. 

My life continued to spiral out of control until I hit rock bottom and wrote a suicide note one day. Fortunately, I stopped myself from going through with it.

Hitting rock bottom made me realise my life was in imminent danger, and things needed to change. 

I asked my Dad for help and started to see a counsellor. 

I was determined to give it my best shot and made myself attend every therapy session. 

I was in it for the long term and vowed never to give up.

After overcoming my addiction, I realised that millions of others worldwide were also struggling with video game addiction, but there were few resources to help them. 

I, therefore, decided to take matters into my own hands and, in 2015, launched Game Quitters – an online support community for people who want to quit playing video games. 

We work with parents, gamers, teachers and helping professionals in over 95 countries, providing practical support and advice.

However, it soon became apparent that gamers and their loved ones found it difficult to find professional help because therapists and counsellors struggled to understand gaming disorders. 

That’s why in 2020, I co-founded INTENTA to provide mental health professionals with Gaming Disorder Clinical Training. 

After completing the online course, therapists have up-to-date tools and strategies to support problematic gamers and their families.

There are moments when the confident choices you make change the direction of your life forever. 

Deciding to use my experience to help others with video game addiction was one of those for me.”

How useful is Fearne Cotton’s Happy?

~ Vickyw

Several Looneychick Blog readers wanted me to review Fearne Cotton’s Happy.

Having listened to Fearne Cottons podcasts and many people raving about her books, I decided to see what the fuss was about.

I liked the little exercises and illustrations in the book.

However, it doesn’t offer anything new regarding mental health solutions, and everyone is different.

I purchased Happy off Amazon for £3, and it was definitely worth the read.

Still, I’ve reviewed many better books than this as Fearne’s issues are a lot different from my own experiences.

This book touches on essential topics such as eating healthily, making time for yourself, meditating, yoga and taking time off technology.

The exercises are probably more helpful for people who suffer from mild depression and anxiety.

I’m not sure if adding celebrity comments help because they have the money and facilities that everyday people don’t have access to.

Unfortunately, mental health is still taboo, and nothing helps unless you have money, and I’m talking thousands of pounds to access clinics.

Even getting a private therapist doesn’t make a difference. I saw a Bupa Phycologist for a year, but that person just took notes and could still diagnose me.

The truth is more research is needed on this subject.

I also still get judged on how my mental health impacts me and its effect on my past.

Many people have unfriended me due to this.

No matter how hard I apologise or try to explain, I’m never forgiven or believed.

Fearne is lucky to help a partner, kids and friends who support her.

For example, more in-depth mental health issues, schizophrenia and bipolar, would need to go deeper into the things Fearne mentions in the book.

Some of the best points in this book are the great yoga poses for beginners and healthy salad recipes.

Have you read Fearne Cotton’s Happy? What are your thoughts on this and if you haven’t read the book will you be reading it?

My fears coming out of lockdown

~ Vickyw
Coming out of lockdown
Photo by Miguel Montejano on Pexels.com

I’m feeling anxious about coming out of lockdown and everything going back to normal. 

Since going into a complete lockdown in March 2020, everything has changed, and I hate change. 

Most of the change has not been good. My life as it was before will never go back to the way it was. 

I wasn’t happy before lockdown, but I was working towards being content.

Since lockdown, I’ve lost more people and pets along the way.

Last summer, I worked towards the future and started back at the gym until lockdown hit again in November, destroying Christmas and plans. 

I never went Christmas shopping for the first time in years, doing all of my shopping entirely online, and the trip we planned for the kids on the Polar Express Train got cancelled. 

We went from Tier 1 lockdown, the lowest in the country, to tier 3 lockdown within a few weeks. 

Christmas was cut short, and in January, we went back into lockdown, and the government didn’t partially lift it, and the gym never reopened until April.

I’m not happy about the decision to come out of lockdown with cases higher than they were when the first complete lockdown hit, and people are still dying.

The greedy capitalist government have decided to open everything up in time for the summer. 

I’ve had one vaccination, and the government expect me to travel miles away for my second, which isn’t helpful. I’m feeling anxious about the whole situation. 

They have closed the centre up the road from me probably because the older generation has already had their two jabs, but why is the younger generation expected to travel miles away? 

I’ve emailed my local surgery to ask this question, and they replied by telling me that they have no control over vaccination centres and that I should phone 119.

My anxiety has increased, and I will be doing the same as I’m currently doing and staying in. 

I go to the gym, but straight after I finish, I go straight home, shower and put my clothes in the wash. I go to a supermarket once a week. 

My medication has increased by 75mg, and a situation has led me to get more counselling with Penhaligan Counselling and Mind.

I will continue to wear my mask even if it’s no longer a legal requirement and continue to avoid busy places but will continue to use hand sanitiser.

I have, however, rebooked the Christmas Polar Express trip because the kids are getting older, and it may be the last time we go on a Christmas trip.

Share some of your fears about coming out of lockdown or things you are looking forward to?

How the Police treat people with mental illness

~ Vickyw
Picture of charity founder Louise Hallett

Charity founder Louise Hallett explains why the death of footballer Dalian Atkinson shows us that how the police treat people with mental illness needs to change.

The mental health charity Hammersley Homes founder, asks for a change in how the police treat those suffering from mental health.

The Court reported that Mr Atkinson was suffering from some sort of psychotic episode at the time of his death brought on by a kidney condition.

 One of the two police officers on trial stated that Dalian, unarmed, appeared to be suffering mentally. 

Louise, who founded the charity in 2018, said: “The case of Dalian Atkinson is a tragic one.

Ms Hallett say that she believes that more needs to be done to protect those suffering from mental illness when they commit a crime.

They don’t have a criminal mind; they have a condition. 

” I spend much of my time campaigning for people with mental illnesses who commit crimes due to a psychotic episode.

Ms Hallett says that she thinks mental health sufferer should be directed to the mental health authorities rather than the police.

 “As one so often reads that they are in other countries like Norway, The Netherlands, Switzerland – or better still, if they could be safely housed with permanent support. 

When will we learn from our mistakes? 

When will we learn from other countries’ success stories?

She added: “I belong to a wonderful carer group, and this topic is often raised. 

“There’s supposed to be an Integrated Care Scheme in place bringing all the services like the NHS, Social Services, Housing and Police together.

“But it doesn’t work.  

“The police are not sufficiently trained in mental health care, nor are the prison workers or the Probation Services. 

“The system fails the most vulnerable amongst us in so many ways.

“Perhaps if there was a better system was in place, Dalian Atkinson and others like him might still be with us.”

Hammersley Homes and what they can offer mental health sufferers

Hammersley homes are currently raising funds to open their first supported home in Hampshire.

The aim is to provide a longer-term aim of developing this flexible model nationwide. 

Help with resident needs such as treatment compliance to help with cooking, cleaning, and laundry is available 24/7.

Hammersley is open to non residents with mental health problems enabling help with making new friends, activities and outings.