HG Newsletter - November 2019

In this issue:

• PTSDR Case history
• The Big Give
• Be alert to Akathisia
• 'Grow a mo' for male mental health
• Supervisor's CPD Day - and course
• 2020 Conference
• One last thought

Post traumatic stress disorder forms a significant proportion of the range of troubles that prompt people to seek therapeutic help, especially among our armed forces veterans, who have very much been in our thoughts at this time of remembrance. The holistic, bio/psycho/social nature of the human givens approach is extremely effective in this area, and for this reason the charity PTSD Resolution (who provide free counselling for former armed forces, reservists and their families) exclusively uses registered HG therapists. This month we focus on their work.

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PTSDR Case History

Irish HG therapist Síle Uí Chiaráin works with PTSD Resolution, and one of her clients has very generously shared his story of recovery on the PTSDR website. Very much in his own words, this article offers a deep insight into what soldiers have to endure, the reasons for PTSD developing, and how welcomed and effective the HG approach can be.

The Big Give – can you help?

The PTSD Resolution charity, which uses the donations it receives to fund HG therapy for veterans, reservists and their families to help them through difficult times and to regain quality of life – announce their upcoming annual fundraising campaign through the The Big Give Christmas challenge, with the news that:

“Any donation you can give will be DOUBLED when you support Forces’ Veterans Mental Health between midday 3rd December and midday 10th December.

"All donations will support the mental welfare of Forces’ Veterans, Reservists and their families. It will ensure therapy that is FREE, local, brief and effective – with nearly 8 out of 10 veterans requiring no further help.”

> PTSD Resolution's donations page opens on the 3rd of December.

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Be alert to Akathesia

HG therapist Marion Brown spoke at the 2019 PTSDR conference about likely issues in working with medicated clients – as we frequently find ourselves doing.

Further to this, a recently published Mad In America article links important research and raises very pertinent issues about the possible relationship between increasing prescribing of antidepressants (and other medications) and a rise in veteran suicides:

"There is clear evidence that SSRIs and SNRI antidepressants can provoke suicidal impulses and acts in some users, and the reason is well known. SSRIs and other antidepressants can stir extreme restlessness, agitation, insomnia, severe anxiety, mania and psychotic episodes.

"The agitation and anxiety, which is clinically described as akathisia, may reach “unbearable” levels, and akathisia is known to be associated with suicide and acts of violence, including homicide."

As HG therapists, whether helping PTSDR clients or otherwise, we need to be alert to the signs of akathisia, understand the possible sources and find ways to help the sufferer.

Have a look at missd.co for more information and a free one hour training session.

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'Grow a mo' for male mental health

Once again the men in our lives are getting hairier – but not for long and it’s all in a good cause. The Movember charity is all about raising money to help promote male mental health and suicide prevention alongside prostate and testicular cancer. 

With the shocking facts that globally a man dies by suicide every minute, and in the UK 75% of suicides are among men, it’s time to fully acknowledge, talk about and tackle male mental illness. By highlighting the situation, and providing a platform for fundraising, the Movember movement is doing just that.

So do join in, if you aren’t already. If you can’t grow a tash, there are other ways to help - you can move for Movember, or host a mo-ment, or take Movember to work.

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Supervisors' CPD – and course

The next annual CPD day for HG Supervisors is taking place on Saturday 25th January 2020, at Engineer's House in Bristol. 

This CPD day is important for all supervisors to attend, offering as it does:

• A vital opportunity to maintain the standards of HG therapy by keeping abreast of HG training developments and any current HGI issues
• A valuable chance to discuss aspects of the supervision role with your peers

Topics to be covered include: working with transgender issues, narcissistic personalities, complex trauma cases and caetextia.

To book your place, contact the office on 01323 811690 – supervisors can also email Véronique Chown (Supervision Coordinator) directly for more information.

Would you like to become an HG supervisor?

HG College are currently preparing a new HG Supervisor training course for summer 2020. Watch this space for more information.

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2020 Conference - register your interest

Our 2020 HGI conference is being held on the weekend of 16th–17th May 2020 at Woodland Grange in Leamington Spa.

Booking is not yet open, but as spaces always go quickly, we recommend you register your interest here so that we can email you as soon as it is.

As soon as we have more details about the programme we'll be adding them to the HGI website, but in the meantime you take a look at our previous conferences to get a feel for these inspiring weekends of top quality information and invaluable interaction with your fellow HGers. Attendance is hugely worth your while – register your interest here.

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One last thought

​​​​​​​“These pains you feel are messengers – listen to them."

Rumi, 13th century Persian scholar

 

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