Mental health support turns Papamoa mum ’ s life around
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Laura O ’ Flaherty has struggled with her mental health for as long as she can remember .
Laura has cyclothymic disorder , a mild form of bipolar characterised by moods swings between a depressive state and elation .
“ At times it ’ s been crippling and when I look back on my life , it has held me back from doing the things I ’ ve wanted to do , like go to university .”
But the turning point came , a few years ago when through her GP Laura started seeing BOPDHB Adult Community Mental Health Nurse Tracy Richardson .
“ Tracy gave me confi dence and supported me to manage my own thought processes , to take the step and enrol at university .”
Three years on and Laura is about to fi nish her Bachelor of Social Science majoring in psychology and human development at the University of Waikato ’ s Tauranga campus .
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“ At fi rst I ’ d see Tracy weekly . She helped me recognise and understand my health condition . There have been days when I ’ ve felt too anxious to leave the house . I never dreamt I ’ d be where I am now , about to fi nish my degree .”
Laura O ’ Flaherty .
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Laura says through working with Tracy , now every few weeks , she ’ s better able to manage her own mental health and recognise her own warning signs that she needs to take a step back to keep herself well .
“ Studying psychology has obviously helped too . I feel more confi dent in myself to manage my health , and ask for help when I need it . “
Tracy says it ’ s great to see how Laura ’ s confi dence in her own abilities has progressed . “ I think being diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder was a real turning point , a base for her to move forward . She ’ s embraced support available including group therapy sessions and is in a better place emotionally to deal with life .”
Laura plans to begin a post-graduate course in community psychology next year and the mum of two was recently awarded a $ 1000 Waikato Student Union Sole Parent / Caregiver Scholarship for 2017 .
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FOR SUPPORT CALL :
Lifeline – 0800 543 354
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 ( to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions )
Anxiety phone line – 0800 269 4389 ( 0800 ANXIETY )
Crisis Team - 0800 800 508
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Bay of Plenty initiative provides ground breaking research
A BOPDHB initiative , the Brainwave
Singers is providing ground breaking research on the benefi t of singing to improve speech for people living with Parkinson ’ s disease .
Speech and Language Therapist Robin Matthews developed the choir seven years ago to help people e with Parkinson ’ s to improve their speech . He ’ s now completing his PhD on the topic .
About 1 in 500 people have Parkinson ’ s , a progressive neurodegenerative condition . It ’ s more common with people over the age of 60 .
To date there have been few studies that have looked at singing as a means of improving voice . Robin ’ s randomised control study measured a number of things including voice volume , voice quality , wellbeing and quality of life . His research found the singers had signifi cant post-treatment improvement in psychological and psychosocial well-being including their levels of stress , anxiety and depression .
The research also found signifi cant improvement in voice quality of the singers with them sounding less croaky or hoarse . The singer ’ s vocal chord effi ciency also improved .
“ We know that singing makes us feel good , now science is discovering how singing can help people
suffering from Parkinson ’ s to Aphasia ( stroke ).”
Margaret Ryan ( left ) who sang with the likes of Shirley Bassey in her younger years , credits Robin Matthews ’ Brainwave Singers with helping her to regain her voice after being locked in silence from a stroke .
“ Singing uses different parts of the brain . To sing , you have to remember the tune and words , then fi ll your lungs with air , produce a voice and then coordinate your voice and breathing whilst singing the melody . For people with Parkinson ’ s , the coordination required
helps produce a better , louder voice .
“ For people who have had a stroke ; research shows they can regain the ability to talk by learning to sing words they are unable to speak . If the brain ’ s language centres are damaged , neural plasticity – ‘ rewiring ’ the brain – may train the part of the brain responsible for singing to take over the speech functions .”
“ You don ’ t have to be able to sing , that ’ s not the point ,” he says . “ Anyone who has a neurological condition such as Parkinson ’ s , stroke or brain injury can join . The group is hugely supportive of one another and therapeutically the experience is very uplifting .”
“ It ’ s physiotherapy of the voice ; singing as therapy ,” says Robin .
For more information about the Brainwave Singers contact communications @ bopdhb . govt . nz
Keep on your feet with strength and balance classes
Sport Bay Of Plenty has launched a new programme focused on supporting older people to live stronger for longer by reducing the risk of falls and fractures .
Keep on your Feet community strength and balance group classes are being provided across the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty , as part of the nationwide initiative . Research shows that older people with muscle weakness , balance issues or mobility limitations are 3-5 times more likely to fall in any one year than those without these problems . There is also evidence that community group strength and balance classes can reduce falls by 29 %. Sport Bay of Plenty Project Leader Jen Riley says the classes involve simple but effective exercises to improve leg strength and also challenge participants balance in a fun and safe environment . “ Falling over and losing your strength and balance shouldn ’ t be considered a natural part of ageing .
Many falls are preventable through simple and effective strength and balance exercises .” Tauranga ’ s Greenwood Park Retirement Village residents Maxine Hunkin and Val Slattery have been regularly attending strength and balance class run by the YMCA . Maxine says the classes have helped her keep on top of her health conditions , such as Type 1 Diabetes and Osteoporosis . Val Slattery says the classes keep her mobile . “ It ’ s better than sitting at home in an arm chair . Not only is it a great way to be active , but it ’ s a great way to socialise with others and have a bit of fun .” Classes are currently being offered in Kawerau , Ōhope , Tauranga , Mount Maunganui , Papamoa , and Te Puke . For more information on classes visit www . sportbop . co . nz / keep-onyour-feet If you are interested in offering a class in your community , or you would like to be trained as a Strength and Balance Instructor get in touch with Jen Riley , Keep on your Feet Project Leader , on 027 419 0067 or email jenr @ sportbop . co . nz