change
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"Change is inevitable, change is constant"
Benjamin Disraeli


"Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them." 
Marcel Proust

"If nothing ever changed, there'd 
be no butterflies." Author Unknown 

What makes change possible?
Responses from group discussions and twitter

Someone else
  • You gotta find something for yourself
  • Having something or someone in your life worth changing for
  • Change is made possible by having someone who comes along side you....Someone who knows how to listen, not judge and encourage you as a person
  • Someone to believe in you, to give you hope, to support you, to come along side you, to help you believe change is possible, who understands, to connect with.
  • Friends, family, workers, gp, nurse, voluntary services, animals. 
  • Someone or an animal to nurture, to attend to, to give something to or share with. to make it feel worthwhile.
  • The family and friends’ involvement and perspective to be highlighted, particularly in relation to their role supporting through difficult times and that they are on a journey too!
  • By reducing the fragmentation or complete loss of relationships because of lack of understanding of mental health problems (and lack of mental health services inclusion) changes for some people are possible. 

Something to focus on
  • To get you out of your own head.
  • Change is brought about by working in harmony …..about a subject they are passionate about.
  • Something to make you smile, that you can enjoy, be passionate about, lose yourself in.
  • Something you are good at,  it could be  films, books, a hobby,  something creative, music, art, photography nature, being outdoors, gardening.


Therapeutic intervention or medication
  • Prognosis can be so negative that you need to put things in place so you feel the best you can be
  • Coming off medications. 
  • Going on medications.
  • Talking therapies, alternative therapies. 

Time
  • Space to change, to grow. 
  • For me, making change possible meant how I felt in comparison to how I felt when I was very poorly, I noticed the difference in my mood, concentration and focus. To me time, convalescing.

Nurturing yourself
  • Healthy food, exercise, relaxation.
  • Exercise being able to rest, sleep.
  • Being able to switch off. 


What helps move forward ...


Footstep exercise at workshop with Making Waves members
Copyright Corrina Rothwell 2010

State of Mind
  • Motivation. change is easier if you have acceptance of your current situation
  • All you need to feel that change is possible is a positive state of mind
  • People need to believe that change is possible, the correct, support, help and advice and things such as family and friends that are supportive as well.
  • Faith in yourself


Work related Activity
  • Learning something new, something refreshing.
  • I have been given the chance to achieve something as it makes up for the past, where ideals such as education, learning skills, work practice, loving relationships, even feeling comfortable in my own skin and not embarrassed were very limited and confined.
  • Something positive to focus on, some work, voluntary work, some responsibilities.  
  • Some stability. No work, no pressure, no responsibilities.   

Financial support
  • Money.
  • Help with finances, benefits, housing, social situation.


Other
  • Having spiritual, religious beliefs.
  • Turning point was self disgust.
  • Something criminal sparked change.
  • Educating the public and making them more aware of mental issues.
  • Role models were the things that contributed towards making change possible for me-I was really really intent on being the girl I was before the onset of my problems and I knew I had the ability to do so"
  • Knowing who to go to for help and having the consistent support from one or two people, not being pushed around from pillar to post.


What gets in the way of making change

Footstep exercise at workshop with Making Waves members
Picture