Speaking on home ground!

Today I had the honour of speaking to health professionals on my home patch in Cheshire. I had been invited to speak as part of a 3 day training course on perinatal mental health put on by Thelma Osborn.
I first met Thelma several years ago when my publishers suggested we added a 'professional' chapter in my book. Thelma was that lady!

I also discovered some interesting work which was published in Community Practioner journals by Thelma and colleagues.

Linda Mason and Helen Poole – Healthcare Professionals’ of views of screening for postnatal depression. Community Practitioner 2008 81(4) 30 – 33
This looks at the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale from the health professional perspective.


Linda Mason and Helen Poole and Thelma Osborn – Women’s views of being screened for postnatal depression. Community Practitioner 2006 79, 11 363-367
This looks at the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

These articles can be accessed in full online by Unite/CPHVA members and journal subscribers, or by purchasing the individual articles.

Their abstracts are can be accessed freely by non-members and non-subscribers at:
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cp/cp/2008/00000081/00000004/art00008
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cp/cp/2006/00000079/00000011/art00011


The Old Police Station in Runcorn was a good venue

http://www2.halton.gov.uk/localinfo/conferencefacilities/haltoncommunitypatnershiptrust/?a=5441

and is 'home' to many organisations such as

Halton Carers
http://www.5boroughspartnership.nhs.uk/txt_page.asp?sitemap_id=529

and also Halton Speakout where some of my former pupils work.
http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/socialcareandhealth/disabilities/haltonspeakout/

No traffic jams to face today!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Early start in Liverpool!

Today I was back reviewing the daily newspapers on Tony Snell's Breakfast show on BBC Radio Merseyside.

It was my first time since I have been living back with my parents and I left in good time to be certain of the route and timings. Arrived with minutes to spare only to take the wrong road outside the building to park! It then took me 10 minutes around the one way system to get back to the same place! Aargh!

I can choose the stories myself to comment on. Today the main one I picked on was an article about the staffing in the NHS and the fact that there are more managers being recruited than nurses.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1164800/Number-managers-employed-NHS-soars-9---15-000-pen-pushers-midwives.html

Health visitor rates are falling regardless of the latest research from Sheffield and Canada which shows how listening visits by health visitors can reduce the effects of postnatal illness. Will the pen pushers please LISTEN to the evidence?!

Listen again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p002jbfx/Tony_Snell_in_the_Morning_23_03_2009/


Late on today I had a meeting with Ann Girling who is a health visitor by background but now works as a personal and professional development coach in her own business, Agenesis.
http://www.agenesis.co.uk/about.html

She also has a passion for perinatal mental health and we are in the process of devising a workshop together aimed in the first instance at staff in Children's Centres. Watch this space!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Back to Sheffield thanks to SMA

Today I drove back to Sheffield for an event organised by the very efficient Stoneapple Productions http://www.stoneapple.co.uk/
for SMA
http://www.smahcp.co.uk/professionalsupport/studydays/

I addressed midwives and health visitors from the Sheffield areas about my story, why perinatal mental health is important and hints and tips on how to help others.

Speaking about my family had mixed feelings today - yesterday was my 'baby' sister's birthday - she was 36!!! - and had my beloved Grandma been alive today she would have been 99!

The venue was good at the Sheffield Park Hotel.http://www.pedersengroup.co.uk/index.asp?HotelId=5&PageNameId=1

As promised ladies here are some of the other links I mentioned:-


Policy Drivers

Mind - Out of the Blue 2006
http://www.mind.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C07D9100-073F-412A-85EE-56CABCD74665/0/OutofBlueFinal.pdf
2008 DH: Child Health Promotion Programme
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_083645
2008 Healthcare Commission: Towards Better Births
http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Towards_better_births_200807221338.pdf
2007 NICE Clinical Guidelines: A & PMH
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG45
2007, 2004, 2001 CEMACH Reports
http://www.cemach.org.uk/
2007 NSF Implementation Maternity Matters
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_073312
DfES Every Child Matters
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/
2003 NICE: Antenatal Care
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG6
2000 Royal College of Psychiatrists Reports (CR28, 1982, CR88)
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/collegereports/cr/cr88.aspx
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do?contentType=NonArticle&hdAction=lnkhtml&contentId=1471728

Areas of good practice

East Midlands – Margaret Oates
www.pmmrc.health.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagescm/7489/$File/perinatal-psychiatric-services.pdf
Glasgow - Dr Roch Cantwell
http://pb.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/29/11/435-a
Tamworth PND Support Group
www.tamworthpostnataldepressionsupportgroup.com
Mailing list and forum
www.jan-net.com

If you need ideas on developing a good perinatal mental health service have a look at Northamptonshire PCT website at
http://www.changingmindscentre.co.uk/v/parental_mentalhealth_team

I look forward to other successful evenings!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Lionel - all is forgiven!

After a lovely lunch for Mothering Sunday with Dominic and my family I headed off to see Lionel Richie in concert again - this time in Sheffield.

After the disappointment of Friday's show I was a little worried but there was no need - the man was back on form.

See a review at
http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/REVIEW-Lionel-Richie-Sheffield-Arena.5097637.jp

It was a lovely evening and reminded me why the man and his music have been such a big part of my life for so many years - through happy and sad times.

He is back on my 'feel good' list for sure!


Elaine

www.hanzak.com

A day to dance?

On the train this morning I had one of those 'Friday feeling' moments and wanted to share it! I felt very giddy as later that night I was due to see Lionel Richie in concert and as a 'warm-up' was listening to his new album 'Just Go'. I was living the fantasy of the lyrics with the idea of 'sailing away to the Bahamas' when I looked at fellow passengers. They all looked so miserable - staring blankly, reading, dosing but generally so sad and flat. Meanwhile I was sitting like a kettle about to come to boiling point of excitement. I giggled to myself as I wondered what would happen if I suddenly took out my earphones from my Blackberry, turned up the volume of Lionel and suggested we all danced!!!!!

As I was on my way to the radio station I stopped myself for fear of being taken off for being a 'nutter'! Yet isn't it sad that sometimes we stop ourselves spreading a little happiness for fear of what may happen?! I wish I had done it now!! Maybe next time ...

Then I noticed a message had come through on my emails and could NOT believe my eyes when the thought for the day from the inspirational site

www.tut.com

read ' Excuse me, Elaine, but I don't think I noticed, "do a little dance," on your "to-do list."

You do plan to dance today, don't you?'

AMAZING!! Decided to wait until later though (coward I know).

Then onto the BBC studios in Manchester where I was a guest on Heather Stott's coffee club.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p002f86z/Heather_Stott_20_03_2009/


My fellow guests were Mark Perugo, the manager of Pesto restaurant in Manchester
http://www.pestorestaurants.co.uk/5705/pages/locations.aspx

Also there was Kathleen Morris, known as Woody, who is a journalist.

We had a fun hour discussing different issues of the day, including conversations about job choices, Hollywood interviews, the idea that children do not make us happy, Google street view maps and information on the web to self-diagnose.

Later on I indeed go and see Lionel Richie at the Manchester MEN Arena. My Mum and I have been to every tour since he began as a solo artist over 20 years ago. We have made friends with other fans and we met up for a meal before the show.

But I have to say that I was really disappointed with the show! The sound quality was poor; Lionel seemed to spend more time posing; the band got no appreciation at all and rather than the usual range of emotions I experience at such an event I just felt flat. Oh dear! I felt like Lionel had jilted me after all these years!

http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/reviews/146_lionel_richie___m_e_n__arena

The best bit of the evening was meeting some of my former pupils in the city centre later. These now young ladies were also out with their Mums at a karaoke bar! For those who have children with 'special needs' never give up on the idea that they cannot do the same things as their peers!

Meeting Laura and her friends made me want to dance ... just as I had that morning!

Back to Rotherham...

Today I returned to the Magna centre http://www.visitmagna.co.uk/ for the second Rotherham Protected Learning Time sessions for staff from GP practices in the area. This was a repeat of the session I did last week.

I was impressed with the amount of staff there from all across the professions.

There were some stalls there and today I had time to have a look at some of them.

www.earlysupport.org.uk interested me as Early Support is about improving services for families with young disabled children. It's a way of working that keeps families at the heart of discussion and decision-making about their child. As my previous career was teaching children with severe and profound learning difficulties I was in keen to know what help is now out there. At first glance this site looks to have a whole range of information and links - take a look around it.

Relevant just to the Rotherham area was information about Maternity services. If you would like to be involved in making sure that Rotherham has the best possible Maternity Services then join the Maternity Services Liaison Committee. If you are interested contact Joanna Jones at joanna@growproject.org.uk

There is also the Kimberworth Park Family project
www.growproject.org.uk
A great place to help people in Rotherham in a huge variety of ways, including debt, feeling isolated, training courses.

A lady after one of my sessions also gave me a card about 'Afterthoughts' offered by Rotherham General Hospitals NHS Trust Obstetrics and Gynaecology Directorate. This is a service offered to all women who would like to someone about any unanswered questions or unresolved feelings following their experience within this speciality . Telephone 01709 307123. I stress that this is for use by Rotherham patients ONLY. But what a great idea!

Although Rotherham has still to put its care pathway for maternal mental health in place steps are being made with enthusiasm for this to be done as soon as possible. Keep up the good work!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Coping with the sharks!

What a lovely sunny drive to Hull today for a Forward Ladies event - the North's premier womens' networking and business support group. http://www.forwardladies.com/

It was a joint event held by Business Link Yorkshire and Forward Ladies.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home

In the past I have received helpful advice from Business Link Northwest. Business Link is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers.

The venue was 'The Deep' http://www.thedeep.co.uk/
one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world. This award-winning Yorkshire family attraction is home to 40 sharks and over 3,500 fish.

I attended a session by Mark Coulman from Business Link Yorkshire who talked about Profit Optimisation.

Even in these times of plenty of sharks in our current economic climate he suggested ways of swimming through.

Most relevant to me was his ideas on customer service. May I ask if you are one of my 'customers', are you happy with what and how I deliver my service and knowledge?

Is there anything I could do to improve? Is there anything else I could offer to help your needs and wants as regards maternal mental health?

Please let me know!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Time for a Life Check?

Today I gave a presentation to the Yorkshire and Humberside Maternity Modernisation Forum, which consisted of maternity service commissioners and heads of midwifery. My angle was on the aspects which matter most to new mothers and their families.

Dr Julie Jomeen from the University of Hull gave an inspiring presentation on the care pathways they are in the process of setting up for maternal mental health. More information to follow.

I also learned today about the NHS Lifecheck scheme.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/NHSLifeCheck/DH_080716

NHS LifeCheck is an online health service that will help people assess and manage their own health. The NHS LifeCheck programme is based upon a commitment in the 2006 Government White Paper ‘Our Health, Our Care, Our Say’ to initially develop three NHS LifeChecks for early years, adolescent and mid-life. Since then the Department of Health has been working with partners including health and social care professionals, academic researchers, stakeholders, experts and the public to develop these three NHS LifeChecks.

Relevant to my area of interest is the Early Years Life check.

http://www.nhs.uk
/earlyyearslifecheck/

The NHS Early Years LifeCheck is for parents and carers with babies 5-8 months old. It is based on the Department of Health’s ‘Birth to five’ publication and provides current information and useful advice about what parents can do to help keep their baby healthy, happy and safe. The service has been developed by the Department of Health in consultation with doctors, parents, carers, nurses, midwives and health visitors.

Has anyone used it out there? Did you find it useful? Please let me know!

Going to try the MidLife health check myself!

The venue today was Pontefract racecourse - very pleasant.
http://www.pontefract-races.co.uk/


Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Mother's Day - does it make you feel good?

As Mother's Day is approaching spare a thought for those for whom it may not be a day for celebration, but of pain and heartache.

Mothering Sunday can be very hard when you have all the negative thoughts and feelings associated with postnatal depression. It is a day that you should be celebrating the magic of motherhood - but not if you currently have no bond or feelings with your child. Then there is the guilt - why do you not feel ecstatic? Why is motherhood such hard work/not what you expected?

If this is how you are feeling remember the mission statement of Postpartum Support International which stresses briefly
1. You are not to blame
2. It will get better
3. You are not alone

http://postpartum.net/

I agree entirely!

Also for some mothers they are actually apart from their children for a variety of reasons, e.g. illness, parental alienation syndrome. This recently happened to me for a short while and it was one of the worst feelings ever. Consequently I give my support to MATCH even more now.


http://www.matchmothers.org/

Have a look at this blog for some lovely ideas on how to cope with such feelings.

http://sarahhart.wordpress.com/

My 'feel good' rating is off the scale this week - the latest Lionel Richie album was released today called 'Just Go'. I was at the shop at 8 am this morning!! Then I am going to his show on Friday in Manchester and on Sunday in Sheffield. Okay I am 45 going on 14 this week but I am a firm believer that if something makes you feel good - Just Do It!!!


What makes you feel good?

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Child and Family Training

Today I have found out about some useful organisations involving child and family aspects.


http://www.childandfamilytraining.org.uk

Child and Family Training is a non-profit organisation working to promote evidence-based assessments and interventions with children and families.

http://www.inmyshoes.org.uk/

In My Shoes is a computer package that helps professionals communicate with children and learning disabled adults about their experiences, views, wishes and feelings, including potentially distressing experiences such as illness and abuse in home, educational and other settings. The interviewer sits alongside the child and assists, guides and interacts with them through a structured interview process. Trainees learn how to use the In My Shoes computer-package and structured interview approach, as well as building on their skills in communicating with children. In My Shoes has a sound research base and has been sponsored by the Department of Health/DfES and others. It is useful for psychologists, social workers, child psychiatrists, other mental health staff, health workers, educational workers and specialists in forensic services.

http://www.acamh.org.uk/

ACAMH is a multi-discipinary membership association and valuable resource for those engaged in child and adolescent mental health and its associated specialties.

Established in 1956 by Emanuel Miller as a network to bring together like-minded professionals, it quickly attracted leading luminaries from across the disciplines, inspired to study the various ways in which the life of the child was influenced and to define the many dimensions and co-ordinates of the growing human mind as it developed from childhood into adolescence and beyond.

http://www.attachmentstyleinterview.com/

The Attachment Style Interview

The ASI is an interview which assesses characteristics of current adult attachment style in relation to a person's ability to access and utilise social support. As such it belongs to the ‘social psychology' strand of investigation of attachment style. It was developed by Professor Antonia Bifulco and her team at the Lifespan Research Group at Royal Holloway, University of London.

http://www.ncb.org.uk/

Founded in 1963, the National Children's Bureau (NCB) is a charitable organisation that acts as an umbrella body for organisations working with children and young people in England & Northern Ireland. Through working in partnership, sharing knowledge, resources and services we have created a powerful, authoritative and influential voice to improve the lives of children and young people.

http://iacapap.ki.se/

IACAPAP is a non-governmental organization the purpose of which is to promote the study, treatment, care and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and disabilities of children, adolescents and their families. The emphasis is on practice and research through collaboration between child psychiatrists and the allied professions of psychology, social work, pediatrics, public health, nursing, education, social sciences and other relevant fields.

That should be enough to keep you busy on a sunny Sunday!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Maternity Matters - lots of information

For those of you involved in maternity services I have found some useful links listed on the NW Maternity Matters website http://www.northwest.nhs.uk/projects/maternity/.

Here they are:-

http://www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/maternity.html and http://www.cypf.csip.org.uk/maternity.html

Birth Rate plus methodologies
http://www.birthrateplus.co.uk/

Supporting the impact and measurement of choice on birth rates - CSIP
http://www.csip.org.uk/our-initiatives/children-young-people-and-families/maternity.html?keywords=maternity

To support the forecasting methodologies for types of birth
www.birthchoiceuk.com

Regional summary data on births
www.yhpho.org.uk
http://www.nwph.net/nwpho/default.aspx

Healthcare Commission – governance, ratings, statistics and trust performance
http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/homepage.cfm

National Workforce Projects – source of planning tools and best practice
http://www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/maternity.html
http://www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/projects/general/maternity_links.html

Children's Workforce Development Council
http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/local-workforce-strategy-toolkit

Department of Health
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/
PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_073312

Dr. Foster
http://www.drfoster.co.uk/localservices/birthGuide.asp

Kings Fund – Maternity Support Workers
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/nursing/events/news

Together for Children – Children Centres
http://www.togetherforchildren.co.uk/

Child and Maternal Health Intelligence Unit (ChiMat)
http://www.chimat.org.uk/

For links on the maternity matters baseline self assessment matrix to benchmark progress and support action planning and other key tools
http://www.cypf.csip.org.uk/maternity/maternity/tools.html

Plenty of information there!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

A great model for a perinatal mental health service

If you need ideas on developing a good perinatal mental health service have a look at Northamptonshire PCT website at
http://www.changingmindscentre.co.uk/v/parental_mentalhealth_team

They have some great schemes including Buggy Buggies and Baby Massage.

There is also a useful booklet to download on Emotional Changes During Pregnancy and Following Childbirth.

http://www.changingmindscentre.co.uk/v/parental_tools

If you have been to any of these activities perhaps you would like to comment?

Thank you Sally (see comments) for telling us about http://www.massageforbabies.com/


Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Mental Health Training &The Solihull Approach

Yesterday I attended a workshop looking at further development of an e-learning package on mental health, to update the current one at
http://learning.camhs.org.uk/

Watch this space for the new one!

I also found out about the Solihull approach.

http://www.solihull.nhs.uk/solihullapproach/

The Solihull Approach was first developed in Solihull in 1996 by joint working between Health Visitors and Psychotherapists. The approach was initially designed for Health Visitors to work with families with children with feeding, sleeping, toileting and behaviour difficulties. The Solihull Approach has developed further and is now used by a wide range of professionals from different agencies to work with families. The Solihull Approach Model provides professionals with a framework for thinking about children's behaviour that develops practice that can support effective and consistent approaches across agencies.

If you work with families with young children it may be worthwhile having a look at.

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Keeping Mum - SAMH magazine

I was delighted to be contacted by SAMH, Scotland’s leading mental health charity,
http://www.samh.org.uk for an article about postnatal depression with respect to Mothering Sunday coming up.

Follow the link here for edition 27 and go to page 15
http://www.samh.org.uk/frontend/index.cfm?page=400

Other useful organisations mentioned are:-

Crossreach - is one of the largest social care agencies in Scotland, providing care and support for thousands of people in need every day of the year.
http://www.crossreach.org.uk

The Baby Gurus.
http://www.thebabygurus.co.uk/



Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Having a parent with a mental health problem

I have received this information via the March newsletter of the Parental Mental Health and Child Welfare Network (www.pmhcwn.org.uk).

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a new film aimed at young carers themselves, in which young carers talk about their lives caring for a parent with a mental health problem. Narrated by Chineye, a young carer herself, the film also explains in a very simple and visual way how the brain is believed to work and what happens when things go wrong – described as ‘the filter that only allows through information that is needed can go wrong and the person’s brain can become flooded with information and the person feels overwhelmed with emotions.’ Medication is described as a plaster rather than a cure which is somewhat of an over-simplification, but the film could be valuable to children and young people seeking to gain some basic understanding of mental health from a biochemical perspective:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfo/youngpeople/caringforaparent.aspx

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Am I normal?

I am grateful to my good friend Neil Foley, for telling me about this Radio 4 programme 'Am I Normal?' looking at postnatal depression.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/am_i_normal.shtml


If you ask a woman who's just had a baby, have you felt sad or miserable in the last seven days, there's a fair chance she'll say yes.

So are we now better at identifying and helping women who are depressed post-natally or are we in danger of turning a normal, if bumpy period of psychological adjustment into an illness?

Vivienne Parry talks to psychiatrists and several mothers about what they think is normal in the post natal period.

Neil is great if you need information - on anything!
Have a look at Web: www.infoley.co.uk

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Student Midwives learn about postnatal illlness

I spoke to some student midwives today at Chester University and shared my story, why I feel perinatal mental health is so important and how we can make the journey easier for others.

I promised them links to policy drivers and other areas of good practice for maternal mental health:-

Policy Drivers

Mind - Out of the Blue 2006
http://www.mind.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C07D9100-073F-412A-85EE-56CABCD74665/0/OutofBlueFinal.pdf
2008 DH: Child Health Promotion Programme
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_083645
2008 Healthcare Commission: Towards Better Births
http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Towards_better_births_200807221338.pdf
2007 NICE Clinical Guidelines: A & PMH
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG45
2007, 2004, 2001 CEMACH Reports
http://www.cemach.org.uk/
2007 NSF Implementation Maternity Matters
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_073312
DfES Every Child Matters
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/
2003 NICE: Antenatal Care
http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG6
2000 Royal College of Psychiatrists Reports (CR28, 1982, CR88)
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/collegereports/cr/cr88.aspx
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do?contentType=NonArticle&hdAction=lnkhtml&contentId=1471728

Areas of good practice

East Midlands – Margaret Oates
www.pmmrc.health.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagescm/7489/$File/perinatal-psychiatric-services.pdf
Glasgow - Dr Roch Cantwell
http://pb.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/29/11/435-a
Tamworth PND Support Group
www.tamworthpostnataldepressionsupportgroup.com
Mailing list and forum
www.jan-net.com

Other useful literature

Clinical effectiveness of health visitor training in psychologically informed approaches for depression in postnatal women: pragmatic cluster randomised trial in primary care
This study by C.J. Morrell et al, examined the outcomes for postnatal women who received one of two psychologically informed interventions by health visitors, or usual care. They found that either of the psychologically informed approaches was beneficial and were more effective than usual treatment.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/jan15_2/a3045

The Positive Practice Guidelines for IAPT-Perinatal
http://www.iapt.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/83079-iapt-perinatal.pdf

Psychological support 'can cut mothers' depression'
Providing new mothers with psychological support can cut their risk of developing postnatal depression, according to research published today 16/01/2009
More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=66949

More than just 'the baby blues'
Postnatal depression is a very common condition. Here are some facts about it:
16/01/2009
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=66951

The Mental Health Foundation, the UK s leading mental health research charity, and MyDish.co.uk launched a new recipe website for those interested in knowing more about the links between healthy eating and a healthy mind.
More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=66890


Good luck in your career ladies!

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Richard McCann at PSA.

As a professional speaker it is always interesting to listen to your peers and once in a while your socks are blown off by them! Richard McCann had this effect on me! I had invited him to address the members of the Professional Speakers Association NW meeting where I have become the President for the year. I gave him our chapter thank you gift of a microphone trophy - pictured.

Richard is a member at the East chapter and tonight he shared his stunning story and how he now has a diary full of bookings! I am not surprised! His messages for us to look for the positive in everything, to be courageous and to be authentic are very relevant to us as speakers.
Have a look at his website here www.richardmccann.co.uk

We met at the City Inn in Manchester which is an ideal venue and I cannot recommend it enough for meetings, food and a comfy bed!
http://www.cityinn.com/manchester/

We have booked our meetings for the rest of the year here.
Dates are 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 1 Sept, 6 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to ideas for our next meetings.

If you are a speaker but would like to speak more and speak better then come along and see us!

Full details at http://www.professionalspeakersassociation.co.uk/

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Stress relieving some Forward Ladies!

Today I had the pleasure of addressing some members of Forward Ladies at a lunch in Leeds. Forward Ladies are a business womens' network and support group.
http://www.forwardladies.com/

The members of the group introduced themselves and it was clear that we all had stresses and worries to cope with. Although they were from different angles and causes the effects on us are similar. It was good to help the ladies realise that they are not alone!

I shared my story with them and some of the techniques I use on a daily basis to help me stay sparkling and cope with stress. I hope it was useful.

We met at the wonderful Chambers, 30 Park Place, Leeds. Very swish!
http://www.morethanjustabed.com/

Elaine

www.hanzak.com

Try something new ... and don't give up!

Those of you who have heard me speak recently will know that I presented at the international Marce Society conference in Australia last September (see my blog entries for then). http://www.marcesociety.com/

I stayed at Manly on the outskirts of Sydney. It was a beautiful seaside resort.
http://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/

Little did I know that a few months later I would be watching their Sea Eagles Rugby League team play Leeds Rhinos at a chilly Elland Road stadium! It was the final of the World Club Challenge.

I have never been a sports spectating fan of any game but recently have gone along to Leeds Rhinos games with Clive. I confess the very idea of doing such a thing did not appeal to me in the slightest - but I have learnt that it is a question of 'don't knock it until you've tried it!' It's a whole new world for me! Fish and chips in the street; wearing a team shirt and yelling 'Cum on Jamie' from the stands!I loved it!

Only problem was .. we lost ... but the boys put up a good fight.
See the game details here ..
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h-tb-LP967MT6hBul67DOWT4FVPQ

I remembered that when I was poorly with postnatal depression being out in crowds really terrified me and I would have a panic attack. So I take nothing for granted these days.

If you are suffering at the moment - try something new .. because you never know, you might just like it! And keep on with the hope .. because one day .. you will feel better.

Elaine

www.hanzak.com