Out & About Winter 2019

Out&About wellbeing

MENTAL HEALTH

Founder of Recovery in Mind, ANGELA RYAN reflects on her own mental health struggles and asks ‘What’s in your shed?’

I n 2013 I became ill with a severe psychiatric illness called ‘psychotic depression’. My road to recovery led me to where I am now – running my own organisation Recovery in Mind to help other adults living in West Berkshire who experience a wide variety of mental health challenges. At its worst, I experienced hearing a voice for up to 10 hours a day, believed that I was receiving ‘messages’ from the TV and radio and saw things that weren’t real. My illness meant that I had ongoing support from my GP and the Community Mental Health Team based at Hillcroft House at the West Berkshire Hospital for around two years. In that time I was hospitalised twice – once in Winchester at a Mother & Baby Unit and another time at Prospect Park Hospital, Reading. One particular day, I looked out of my kitchen window at my garden and thought I had an answer to my difficulties. If I could have a shed in my garden housing my GP, my psychiatric nurse and the psychiatrist from Hillcroft then they would be there ‘on tap’ when I needed them. Whether I was distressed, needing support, required help on how to manage the hallucinations or simply frightened out of my skin, one of them would be with me as soon as I shouted down to them to come out of the shed. However, I soon realised several flaws to my plan. Namely, it wouldn’t be at all realistic or achievable and (the most

Our courses offer the opportunity to learn how to ‘self-manage’ mental health difficulties, sharing a range of tools, strategies, mind-sets and activities to improve confidence. And, of course, an opportunity to ‘connect’ with others. At Recovery in Mind we often use the analogy of ‘Be your own Shed’ – filling it with the tools, strategies and mind-sets to improve our mental health. You wouldn’t expect to put a fallen picture back on the wall with a mallet – you should know which tool you need for the job, how to use it and the confidence to know you can do it. My own ‘personal shed’ has a variety of ‘stuff’ to help me keep well. Like our sheds, we need different tools at different times in our lives. You are unlikely to need a strimmer if your garden is paved, or a chimney brush if you don’t have a chimney. Get the right tools for the job, learn how and when to use them and you can learn to look after your mind as you would your home – ‘Be your own Shed’. Many people experience mental health challenges – you may be reading this and thinking perhaps it’s time to fill your own ‘shed’ or know of someone who might benefit from our courses. We offer a friendly and welcoming environment. You don’t need a ‘referral’ – simply book onto our Introduction to Recovery Bitesize/Taster session on the website www.recoveryinmind. org.uk to find out whether Recovery in Mind can help you to improve your mental health & wellbeing.

challenging of the two problems) was that I would soon become so reliant upon them that I wouldn’t even be able to leave the house without one or all of them and I would never have ‘recovered’ to lead the life I so craved for. Nor would I have the confidence to take back control of my life and move forward following my own goals and aspirations. Five years on and Recovery in Mind provides free of charge courses to any adults living in West Berkshire who experience a wide range of mental health challenges. Our trainers are both people who have had their own difficulties with mental health and illness and also occupational therapists who share their professional knowledge and expertise. We are based at Broadway House and everyone who attends is referred to as a student.

Recoveryinmind.ord.uk • Follow AngelaRinm2016 on twitter

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O&A WINTER 2019