The charity ’ s chair , Lord Alex Carlile , looks to the challenges ahead
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‘ OUR WORK IS SADLY MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER ’
The charity ’ s chair , Lord Alex Carlile , looks to the challenges ahead
ADDACTION ’ S 50TH ANNIVERSARY is both a cause for celebration and an opportunity for reflection . Every charity should aspire to build a world in which it is no longer needed , but for Addaction that remains a distant ambition . Much has changed in 50 years , but our work is sadly more necessary than ever .
We can be proud of our successes in the UK treatment system , boasting comprehensive coverage , adherence to the evidence base , basic humanity and pragmatism . We can also take heart from the ever lower rates of heroin use over the past decade . However , in the record numbers of drug-related deaths , the estimated 1.6 million dependent drinkers and the emerging issues in young people ’ s mental health needs there lies a warning : the system doesn ’ t work for everyone , and our most vulnerable citizens deserve better .
In that sense , it was heartening to hear the prime minister ’ s plans to transform mental health support at the annual Charity Commission lecture . This is an issue
doe ’ s story
doe ’ s life Changed at 15 years old when she
discovered her dad wasn ’ t her real father . ‘ My mum told me I was actually the product of a rape . I ’ d never felt so alone and I started hating myself . If I ’ d had someone to talk to back then , I don ’ t think my life would have spiralled quite so far out of my control .’
Leaving school with few qualifications , Doe met her partner through drug taking and they got married . ‘ We thought babies might make everything better . I did stop using when I was pregnant , but as soon as breast - feeding ended , it all began again . My kids didn ’ t have a good start . The house was disgusting , with no lightbulbs and no carpets . We would inject in front of them .’
Doe ’ s husband died suddenly at the age of 37 . ‘ I hated him for dying . I wanted that to happen to me . I was aware how awful life was , but didn ’ t know what to do about it .’
One morning , Doe woke at 4am with the shakes . ‘ Every little bit of alcohol came back up . My body was rejecting it . I crawled downstairs to get help . I ’ ll never forget the look on my daughter ’ s face as she watched me being taken to hospital .’
Doe spent six months in rehab before attending Addaction . ‘ I was terrified of the world outside . I ran the whole way from the front door of the rehab to the reception at Addaction . I ’ m now volunteering five days a week . Just being here for people to talk to , and inspiring them with how things can change . It ’ s like I ’ ve found my life again .
‘ I ’ m so grateful to everyone who has supported me . I didn ’ t have the strength to do it for myself , because I didn ’ t think I was worth doing it for . I now know I am .’
that unites us across the political spectrum , indicating the widespread recognition that the status quo is no longer acceptable . However , rhetoric is one thing and resources quite another . Following years of underfunding and neglect , it ’ s essential that any plans to transform mental health provision are backed up by concrete commitment of resources . Without that , comprehensive change will be a very tall order indeed .
For Addaction ’ s part , we ’ re looking to the future with a broader offer , supporting people in all of their complexity , and taking action early to tackle harmful behaviours . We believe that our role as a charity can ’ t be limited to service delivery but requires us to influence policy to provide easier and more equitable access for all . Were Mollie Craven still with us today , I believe she would be immensely proud of where her letter has taken us . I believe too that she would recognise how much remains to be done .
Clare ’ s story *
‘ Before it all happened i was a very independent person . I
relied on nobody at all to help me through situations in life .’
Clare , 50 , came to Thinkaction Merton after finding out about the service from a local group .
‘ I know now I was having a breakdown . I had lost my job , and the job centre was making me even more anxious and stressed . Then I lost my home , which pushed me into a depression .’
Clare self-referred to Thinkaction . ‘ I had had depression
‘ I know now I was having a breakdown . I had lost my job , and the job centre was making me even more anxious and stressed . Then I lost my home , which pushed me into a depression .’
before , when my daughter left home . And I went through a nightmare with that – we were close and it really hurt . When you ’ re in that state , nothing really makes sense .’
Clare spoke to Hannah at Thinkaction for a number of therapy sessions on the phone and found common ground talking about photography – something she had wanted to do , but had never had the opportunity to pursue . After the third or fourth session , Clare realised that she wanted to take it up again and joined a photography club .
‘ We talked about techniques to manage my thoughts . The five minute rule became very handy with getting things done , because I had also developed anxiety as well as depression . By starting tasks in small time chunks it really helped me to be calm and productive . I still use it today .
‘ I ’ m one of those people who , before this happened to me , wouldn ' t even ask my friends for help . Now I ' m doing okay . I ’ m pushing ahead with the photography . Without Hannah digging in and finding out what I wanted to do , which I couldn ' t see myself , I don ’ t know where I would be .’
* Clare ’ s name has been changed
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