Finding a friend after a crisis

Team York Mind is taking part in the To Hull And Back Cycle Challenge

WHEN Sandra Smith’s husband suffered a stroke and she became his full-time carer she struggled to cope.

Sandra from New Earswick, York, became depressed and says it is only thanks to the charity York Mind that she managed to turn her life around.

Up until last year her husband Graham had been her carer.

Sandra suffers from acute back pain and arthritis.

“He was my rock and my support,” said 62-year-old Sandra. “He did everything for me.

“But when he had his massive stroke, our world was turned upside down. I suddenly had to become his full-time carer and I found it incredibly difficult to cope.

“We didn’t know where to turn. We were at our wits end. I was already deeply depressed, but Graham’s stroke made everything ten times worse.

“We couldn’t go out, we didn’t see anybody and we sat at home in silence. We had always loved each other so much, and put the other one first, so this way of life was unbearable for both of us,” Sandra recalled.

Sandra had never heard of York Mind, or the work that the charity did, but she was prepared to give it a go when someone at York District Hospital mentioned how helpful the charity could be.

“We originally thought that York Mind could help Graham, as he was suffering more. Here was a healthy, active 60-year-old, who loved the outdoor life, whose world had completely changed. But my doctor, aware of my problems, suggested I seek help too.”

Graham and Sandra have never looked back.

“We started going to York Mind a year ago and our lives have completed changed. What is so brilliant about this charity is that they work out what is best for their clients and then put it into action. So Graham was given a ‘befriender’ who visited him each week, which got him out of the house, gave him something to look forward to and enabled me to have a rest.

“At the same time, I was given a befriender too, a lovely student called Emily, and together we have visited some of York’s best attractions which, I’m ashamed to say, I had never visited before.

“Emily is also a brilliant problem solver and helps me if something is wrong.

“But that’s not all. I have also been going to York Mind’s craft group, which has helped me to interact better with other people, lifting my spirits no end, as well as making things I am proud of. What a simple, yet super, idea.”

Sandra added: “Instead of handing out pills to depressed, stressed and lonely patients, doctors should tell them to go to York Mind. It is no exaggeration to say this wonderful charity has given me my life back, and Graham’s too.”

York Mind, based in Highcliffe House, Highcliffe Court, Clifton, has spent the last few weeks gearing up for World Mental Health Day tomorrow.

Holly Pollard is York Mind’s community fundraiser.

“We are so looking forward to celebrating World Mental Health Day 2013,” she says, adding: “It’s an annual reminder of the importance  of taking care of your own, and others, mental wellbeing.

“York Mind will be just one of several organisations marking the occasion, with awareness and fundraising events happening city-wide”.

This year’s World Mental Health Day is focusing on the positives of being older and the peace of mind that age can bring.

Team York Mind is taking part in the To Hull And Back Cycle Challenge, which is a static cycle ride using a bicycle in York’s Parliament Street.

The organisation’s team will try to cycle the distance from York Minster to the Humber Bridge and back – nearly 82 miles – tomorrow.

Holly Pollard, the community fundraiser for York Mind, explained: “Whether you are a brilliant cyclist, or just a novice, we need you to join Team York Mind and help us complete the challenge.

Registration is free and you do not have to be super-fit to take part.

Time slots are either 30 minutes or an hour between 9am and 5pm.”

In case it is not too late to register, email Holly Pollard on [email protected]

Emphasising the positive

World Mental Health Day, takes place tomorrow and focuses on the positive aspects of mental health in later life. Run by the World Federation for Mental Health this year the day aims to raise awareness of the positive rather than negatives of being over 55. According to an Office of National Statistics report over-55s have greater life satisfaction than people aged 25-54.

This year, the Federation wants to celebrate the potential that this phase can have in terms of enjoying a full and active later life, and maintaining a healthy social involvement in the community.

The World Federation for Mental Health recommends promoting active and healthy ageing in their newly published World Mental Health Day report, Mental Health and Older People.