It was a beautiful sunny morning as I made my way to Radio Merseyside. Each time I go the cranes and building work for 'Liverpool - Capital of Culture' seem to be making progress. Once again I was going to review the newspapers on the Breakfast show.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/local_radio/index.shtml
I chose a story in the papers today about a health map of Britain which listed Merseyside as having the highest rates of depression in the UK. I hope someone heard me say that you can get better and that it helped them. I went on to mention a feature in the Daily Post about getting out on bicycles - exercise can help depression a great deal but you do need encouragement to do it!
From there I made my way onto Edge Hill University at Ormskirk where I gave my 'What matters to patients' presentation to all the pre-registration nursing students. I always have a trip down memory lane when I speak here as that was were I did my degree for four years - happy times! Greg Davies - where are you now?!
I got a very warm reception from the students and I invariably get a few talking to me afterwards. One lady had also suffered from postnatal depression years ago but still worried that it may come back. I do hope she felt better after we talked about what she would do if she recognised the signs and acknowledged she would get help much sooner.
One young man made me feel particularly pleased about my role. He told me that he suffers from depression and some days he really struggles to get out of bed. It was hard for his housemates to understand but he told me he was so pleased for raising all the issues and he hoped it would help his friends to help and understand him more.
With his permission he sent me these messages ..
Ever since I heard you speak I've been thinking about what you said, how you got through!!! Once again I just want to say thank you for giving that insight into mental health issues and depression, it's made people ask me questions that they would shy away from asking me before.
But most of all on that day I had been the lowest that I had been for a while and you showed me that there is a way out, and I can do whatever I want to, especially become the nurse that I dream to be!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Thank you Chris for making me feel so privileged and humble to make that difference. I am sure you will be a fantastic nurse!
Thank you to those other students who also shared a little of themselves with me too.
After the lecture I was taken around the new health education building - very impressive! It was a field in my day!!
Elaine
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Friday, 18 July 2008
Petition for Downing Street - Please help!
As you know, I was very ill after my pregnancy with Dominic and now spend my time speaking about my experiences to an increasing range of audiences, following the publication of my book ‘Eyes without Sparkle – a journey through postnatal illness’.
Part of my aim is to reduce the stigma around mental illness and offer hope but also I campaign for better services and facilities for those affected by this awful illness.
The web-based forum www.pni.org.uk , of which I am patron, has put together a petition for Downing Street – if we get 200+ signatures it will be read by Gordon Brown. Let’s see if we can smash this target and get a real call for action!
Currently services in the UK provided by the NHS are not up to the guidelines submitted by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence), putting lives at risk and prolonging the suffering of many.
www.pni.org.uk are asking that the following basic principals should be put in place to help women and their families who are deeply affected by Post Natal Illness to recover swiftly and fully:
* A dedicated Health Visitor from each area in the UK to follow up any referrals from GP
* Support groups on an informal basis to take the pressure off mums who may be suffering confidence with the opportunity to incorporate a buddy system.
* Funds made for community groups to be set up with the support of a Health Visitor/Community Psychiatric Nurse or other trained professional.
* Faster follow up counselling than is currently available.
* Shorter waiting lists for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other therapies
* A specifically trained individual on Post Natal Illness to operate in each Primary Care Trust.
* Correspondence for all mums with a Health Visitor until the child reaches the age of 5.
* More funding for charities supporting women and their families suffering Post Natal Illness
* Dedicated support for the father and families affected by the mother suffering Post Natal Illness.
Please take a few minutes to click on http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Post-Natal and sign up to petition the Prime Minister to arrange for more and a higher standard of services for women and their families affected by post natal illness.
With thanks and love,
Elaine
www.elainehanzak.co.uk New website coming soon at www.hanzak.com
Tel 01928 725823 or 07762 148183
‘Making a difference for Families’
Part of my aim is to reduce the stigma around mental illness and offer hope but also I campaign for better services and facilities for those affected by this awful illness.
The web-based forum www.pni.org.uk , of which I am patron, has put together a petition for Downing Street – if we get 200+ signatures it will be read by Gordon Brown. Let’s see if we can smash this target and get a real call for action!
Currently services in the UK provided by the NHS are not up to the guidelines submitted by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence), putting lives at risk and prolonging the suffering of many.
www.pni.org.uk are asking that the following basic principals should be put in place to help women and their families who are deeply affected by Post Natal Illness to recover swiftly and fully:
* A dedicated Health Visitor from each area in the UK to follow up any referrals from GP
* Support groups on an informal basis to take the pressure off mums who may be suffering confidence with the opportunity to incorporate a buddy system.
* Funds made for community groups to be set up with the support of a Health Visitor/Community Psychiatric Nurse or other trained professional.
* Faster follow up counselling than is currently available.
* Shorter waiting lists for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other therapies
* A specifically trained individual on Post Natal Illness to operate in each Primary Care Trust.
* Correspondence for all mums with a Health Visitor until the child reaches the age of 5.
* More funding for charities supporting women and their families suffering Post Natal Illness
* Dedicated support for the father and families affected by the mother suffering Post Natal Illness.
Please take a few minutes to click on http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Post-Natal and sign up to petition the Prime Minister to arrange for more and a higher standard of services for women and their families affected by post natal illness.
With thanks and love,
Elaine
www.elainehanzak.co.uk New website coming soon at www.hanzak.com
Tel 01928 725823 or 07762 148183
‘Making a difference for Families’
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
University of Salford
I had the honour this week to speak to a group of students who are in their 2nd year of a mental health nursing course at the University of Salford.
I regularly speak here and was thrilled when their tutor asked if I would consider becoming an honorary lecturer there.
I gave my story; how mental illness can affect families, etc; signs to look out for and the things which really matter to patients. I loved doing it!
Even better was the response from their tutor, Dr. Hogg:-
Elaine, I wanted to thank you for your teaching sessions and to convey to you the power and the impact your sessions have had with the students nurses here at Salford. One student commented that this was the best session she has had in the 3 years she has been at University. Others have said that they have been inspired and you have given them a different view on caring. Most of all, it seems to motivate them to really think of the person in front of them- and not just a diagnosis. To me you can't put a price on that! Thank you!
I am delighted with comments like that and hope to talk to many more students!
It is so good to show that it is possible to recover from a serious mental illness and I was pleased that the elements of Hope and Kindness were picked up by the students as crucial nursing skills.
Good luck guys with the rest of your course!
Elaine
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
I regularly speak here and was thrilled when their tutor asked if I would consider becoming an honorary lecturer there.
I gave my story; how mental illness can affect families, etc; signs to look out for and the things which really matter to patients. I loved doing it!
Even better was the response from their tutor, Dr. Hogg:-
Elaine, I wanted to thank you for your teaching sessions and to convey to you the power and the impact your sessions have had with the students nurses here at Salford. One student commented that this was the best session she has had in the 3 years she has been at University. Others have said that they have been inspired and you have given them a different view on caring. Most of all, it seems to motivate them to really think of the person in front of them- and not just a diagnosis. To me you can't put a price on that! Thank you!
I am delighted with comments like that and hope to talk to many more students!
It is so good to show that it is possible to recover from a serious mental illness and I was pleased that the elements of Hope and Kindness were picked up by the students as crucial nursing skills.
Good luck guys with the rest of your course!
Elaine
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Well heeled Divas - Revive!
Last September I was lucky enough to be invited by photographer friend Angela Sutherland ( visit her website at http://www.swpp.co.uk/members/Sutherland8275.htm) to be her 'bring a friend for free' at a workshop held by the Well-heeled Divas. I went along not really knowing to expect.
The weekend turned out to have a HUGE impact upon me! It was basically a self-development course where 12 very different ladies all had the opportunity to look at their lives from every angle and 'step-up' to the next level.
For me it was the realisation that promoting my book and giving my talks on postnatal illness IS my true passion and that is what I should focus on. Yvonne and Jane who guided us through the two days were brilliant. The Mancheter Malmaison did us proud with the venue and catering - another recommendation! http://www.malmaison-manchester.com/
So now almost 10 months on we went back to look at our goals and see how far we had or had not come. I was stunned to see that most of mine had either been achieved or are well on their way. My main one was to become a world-class speaker. Since the original event I now am going to a Speakers Convention in New York in August; Sydney in September; Strasbourg in October and have links with Brussels, Milan and Latvia too!
THANK YOU to the Well- heeled Divas! You have helped me to 'come out and play'!
Go girls and 'step-up'!
Elaine
x
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
The weekend turned out to have a HUGE impact upon me! It was basically a self-development course where 12 very different ladies all had the opportunity to look at their lives from every angle and 'step-up' to the next level.
For me it was the realisation that promoting my book and giving my talks on postnatal illness IS my true passion and that is what I should focus on. Yvonne and Jane who guided us through the two days were brilliant. The Mancheter Malmaison did us proud with the venue and catering - another recommendation! http://www.malmaison-manchester.com/
So now almost 10 months on we went back to look at our goals and see how far we had or had not come. I was stunned to see that most of mine had either been achieved or are well on their way. My main one was to become a world-class speaker. Since the original event I now am going to a Speakers Convention in New York in August; Sydney in September; Strasbourg in October and have links with Brussels, Milan and Latvia too!
THANK YOU to the Well- heeled Divas! You have helped me to 'come out and play'!
Go girls and 'step-up'!
Elaine
x
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Forward Ladies goes Mandarin
I attended a lovely event with www.forwardladies.com in Manchester tonight.
It was hosted by The Sweet Mandarin restaurant at http://www.sweetmandarin.com/
We heard of the history of the restaurant and how it was founded upon their family history and their subsequent book, 'Sweet Mandarin'.
Well worth a visit!
Elaine
x
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
It was hosted by The Sweet Mandarin restaurant at http://www.sweetmandarin.com/
We heard of the history of the restaurant and how it was founded upon their family history and their subsequent book, 'Sweet Mandarin'.
Well worth a visit!
Elaine
x
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Clinical Outcomes
With less than 24 hours notice I was asked to stand-in at a Healthcare Events conference in Manchester on Managing Clinical Outcomes.
From my opening line of 'I am not here to moan, complain or demoralize you speaking as a former patient' to my close of 'remember that patients are humans with hearts,' I seemed to be on fire! The feedback was great!
In recent months I have learnt and developed my presentational skills further thanks to my colleagues at the Professional Speakers Association. See the new website at
http://www.professionalspeakersassociation.co.uk/Default.asp?
Come along and see what we do!
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
From my opening line of 'I am not here to moan, complain or demoralize you speaking as a former patient' to my close of 'remember that patients are humans with hearts,' I seemed to be on fire! The feedback was great!
In recent months I have learnt and developed my presentational skills further thanks to my colleagues at the Professional Speakers Association. See the new website at
http://www.professionalspeakersassociation.co.uk/Default.asp?
Come along and see what we do!
www.elainehanzak.co.uk
Ladies@Lunch on BBC Radio Lancashire
I went back to my Lancashire roots today and was a guest on BBC Radio Lancashire Ladies@lunch programme along with Liz Swan, a script writer and nurse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2008/07/07/lal_blog_070708.shtml
Their account of me reads like this:-
Our other panellist, Elaine Hanzak, was in my view one of the most fascinating guests we have had on Ladies @ Lunch so far. Elaine’s life was bobbing along fabulously – married, rewarding job as a teacher for kids with learning difficulties – and having always wanted a baby, she fell pregnant exactly as planned. During the following months, Elaine did everything right – read all the books, diligently went to ante-natal classes – and was very much looking forward to becoming a mother.
When the crunch came, Elaine had a difficult birth – the cord had wrapped around the baby’s neck – but some skillful work by the doctors ensured a safe delivery. But this was just the beginning of a series of events which saw confident, happy Elaine change into a shadow of her former self – her personality dramatically altered, she began to self-harm. Ultimately, Elaine ended up spending two months on a psychiatric ward – and wondered if she would ever find herself again.
Thanks to some wonderful people, she came through the darkness and today you would never imagine Elaine had been through such trauma in her life. Her book, “Eyes Without Sparkle”, documents her journey and she spends her time now trying to help others in similar situations; campaigning for more “mums and tots” beds in hospitals, signposting post-natal depression sufferers towards help from all sorts of sources. Every once in a while, you meet someone who is truly inspirational – and Elaine is certainly worthy of such a tag.
What a lovely account!
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