You are viewing the blog of the Welfare Officer. This blog is currently maintained by Nick Klein and FRANCES GLADWIN.

Blog File Directory Please login to view the file directory.

Welfare Officer Nick Klein

Welfare Officer FRANCES GLADWIN

Dear Grey,

posted by meera malhotra @ Wed Mar 2 11:29:25 2011 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=118

Hey Grey!

Tonight is our second to last event as part of Detox Week! Tonight, its a night to whisk yourself away into a zone of relaxation and a whole other world.... Perfect for a chilled out night before the epicness that will be the Informal Ball!

Matt Slavin is going to start the evening with some relaxation techniques to completely unwind and relax your body.

Simon Airey, our lovely College Chaplain, will be taking us away to another land with his fantastic and gripping tales, some of them centuries old, passed down generations simply by being told.

8pm, in the SCR

posted by meera malhotra @ Fri Dec 3 17:13:03 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=112

Dear Grey,

On the Welfare Officer's blog you can find the new drop-in rota: starting today.

Remember, drop-ins are an opportunity for you to talk to another student in complete confidence about anything that is affecting you at the moment. This really could be anything and the team are trained in a whole host of issues as well as where to look next for further support if necessary. The welfare room is located opposite the laundry room on the bottom floor of Hollingside.

Also, condoms can be bought at a special price of £2.50 for 18. The condoms we stock include Extra Safe, Elite and Pleasuremax - all are sold at the same price. You can buy a pack from the welfare room during drop-in hours as usual, but if you prefer we encourage you to email one of the Welfare Team with your order in confidence. If you do have a regular girlfriend/boyfriend please do not use the emergency supplies as these are limited to a handful per block per week.

Welfare Love,

Josh, Meera, and the Welfare Team xx

Male and Female Welfare Officers:
Josh Turner: 07805 024 013
Meera Malhotra: 07545 325 493

The Welfare Team:
Lucy Jamieson: 07807 173 308
Pippa Broadway: 07545 978 633
Sophie Wotton: 07985 722 398
Tom McMinigal: 07775 445 812
Matt Slavin: 07979 515 811

Also, Nightline, Durham University's night-time, anonymous listening service is available too through the following:

•       Skype
•       Telephone
•       Instant Messaging (via Skype)
•       Drop-In
        
                                                            9pm-7am.

Every night of term there will be two volunteers up all night, ready with information and a listening ear.

For more information, see the Nightline website:  http://www.dur.ac.uk/nightline/

posted by meera malhotra @ Sat Nov 13 11:45:39 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=107

Today marks Day 4 of Mental Health Awareness Week

Depression

Some facts:

Depression can affect any person of any age, any background. It is common where 1 in 10 people are likely to be affected by depression at some point in their life and 1 in 4 women are likely to need treatment. It's important to recognize however, that feeling down or fed up is not the same as suffering from depression, depressive illness or clinical depression.

Depression can be remedied. It is a medical condition and can be treated, so please don’t suffer in silence. If you want any further information, please feel free to ask any of the Welfare team or use the website links below.

So, what is depression?

Depression is “a loss of interest and enjoyment in ordinary things and experiences…of low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms” (NICE, 2004, NCPG: 23)

Symptoms of depression:

Depression can be experienced in a variety of ways and there is no single right way for it to be felt. The following list is therefore not exhaustive. It is important to recognise that the symptoms of a person’s depression could be singular, or multiple and a person can experience different symptoms at different points in their life.

Physiological symptoms:

·         Sadness; Anxiety; Guilt; Anger; Mood-swings; Lack of emotional responses; Helplessness; Hopelessness; Self-criticism; Self-blame; Worrying; Pessimism; Impaired memory; Difficulty making decisions; Confusion; Tendency to believe that others see you in a negative light; Thoughts of self-harm; Thoughts of death; Thoughts of suicide.

Behavioural symptoms:

·         Crying spells; Withdrawal from others; Neglect of responsibilities; Loss of interest in personal experiences; Loss of motivation

Physical symptoms:

·         Chronic fatigue; Lack of energy; Sleeping too much/too little; Overeating/loss of appetite; Constipation; Weight gain/loss; Irregular menstruation cycle; Loss of Libido; Unexplained aches/pains.

Types of depression:

Mild depression: Depression has some impact upon your daily life

Moderate depression: Depression has a significant impact upon your daily life

Severe depression: Severe depression makes the activities of daily life nearly impossible. A small proportion of people with severe depression may have psychotic symptom- Symptoms of psychosis include: Hallucinations; Delusions; Confused or disturbed thoughts; A lack of insight and self-awareness.

Other types of depression:

Postnatal depression: Some women develop depression after having a baby. Postnatal depression is treated in similar ways to other forms of depression, with talking therapies and antidepressant medicines.

Bipolar disorder: Also known as 'manic depression'. It is where there are periods of depression and also periods of excessively high mood (mania). The depression symptoms are similar to clinical depression, but the periods of mania can include harmful behaviour where there are few or no inhibitions, such as gambling to a harmful extent, going on spending sprees and having unsafe sex. 

Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) - Also known as 'winter depression', SAD is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern usually related to winter.

Causes of Depression:

There is no single cause of depression, and people develop depression for different reasons.

Depression has many different triggers. For some people, upsetting or stressful life events, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Usually, different causes combine to trigger depression. For example, you may feel low after an illness and then experience a stressful life event, such as bereavement, which leads to depression. People often talk about a 'downward spiral' of events that leads to depression. For example, if a person's relationship with their partner breaks down, they are likely to feel low, they may stop seeing friends and family, and they may start drinking more. All of this can make them feel even worse and trigger depression.

Here are some causes therefore that might trigger depression:

·         Stressful Life events – such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown. When these stressful events happen, you have a higher risk of becoming depressed if you stop seeing friends and family and try to deal with problems on your own

·         Illness - You may have a higher risk of depression if you are diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness

·         Personality traits - You may be vulnerable to depression due to certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical.

·         Family history of depression

·         Social Isolation

·         Alcohol and drug consumption - Some people try to cope by drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. This can result in a spiral of depression. The isolation, alcohol or drugs make you feel worse about yourself, and in response you isolate yourself and drink or take drugs even more.

How to get help:

There are many positive ways to lift your mood and recover from depression.

·         Self Care - Self care is an integral part of daily life. It involves taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing with support from the people involved in your care. Self care includes what you do every day to stay fit and maintain good physical and mental health, prevent illness or accidents and care more effectively for minor ailments and long-term conditions

·         Medication – GP advise and medication can be helpful for many suffering from depression. It is important to take your medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Continuing with your medication can help prevent a relapse and, in some cases, it is needed in the long term.

·         Support - Support systems can be extremely useful. From medical assistance, to family or friends, finding the support system which works for you can be invaluable and help recovery. Confiding in others and those that are close you can be extremely beneficial, please don’t suffer alone.

·         Recognizing triggers – Recognising what causes episodes of depression and avoiding them, can be extremely beneficial in recovering from depression.

·         Stay healthy and eat well - Research suggests that for some people, exercise can be as effective as antidepressants at reducing depressive symptoms, particularly in those with mild and moderate depression. Being physically active lifts your mood, reduces stress and anxiety, boosts the release of endorphins (your body’s feel-good chemicals) and improves self-esteem

Further information:

If you want to find out more or have any questions, please feel free to contact the Welfare team, or Nightline. Below are some further useful links:

·         http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/Pages/Introduction.aspx

·         http://www.mind.org.uk/help/diagnoses_and_conditions/depression

·         http://www.rethink.org/about_mental_illness/mental_illnesses_and_disorders/depression/index.html

·         http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/problems/depression/depression.aspx

·         http://www.nice.org.uk/

Personal Experience of the Day

The following experience is from a current member of Grey. The daily experiences will not necessarily coincide with the topic of the day but are included to get people thinking about mental health issues and hopefully to realise they are a lot more common than one would think. If anything, they make the issues that the Welfare Team encounter more real. Please treat these accounts with respect and sensitivity.

“I've always had a very on-off relationship with depression. I guess the easiest thing would be to tell you about my history of depression first.... I was first diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 13, I was completely lethargic and was using self harm as a coping mechanism. I did my GCSEs on maximum dosage of Prozac and with only 60% attendance at school, as I couldn't face leaving the house. But things got better. By the time I left high school it seemed that I had recovered and my A levels went well. I settled in well at the start of university and made lots of friends, but after the Christmas holiday things changed and I ended up in a downward spiral.

By the time I started second year things had got pretty desperate and my housemates ended up calling 999, and I went in to see the crisis team. At the time I was self harming a lot and was extremely suicidal, but I got back on the meds and started seeing the university counsellors, who are fantastic.

The reasons behind my depression aren't always clear. Sometimes it sets off for no apparent reason at all. I know that being bullied badly during school and my dad not being around much when I was growing up are partially to blame. But I also have a genetic vulnerability as both my mum and sister have depression too.

I've learnt to cope better now. I know the signs of when I'm going to have one of my 'episodes' and I can work towards stopping them. Getting out and doing sport that I love to do helps, as well as giving myself time to not do any work. I set aside one day a week where I don't do any work, as you need to let yourself relax every now and again! I'm not saying things are perfect now, I still have awful self esteem and I'm still on the meds, but I'm happier.

Depression isn't something to be scared off and to keep quiet. If you speak up, you can get the help you need. After all, more people have depression than have asthma, and if you had asthma you'd go to the doctors and take your meds, wouldn't you? Just because depression and other mental health problems can't be seen, doesn't mean that they can't be treated, help is out there.”

Welfare Love,

Josh, Meera and The Welfare Team xx

posted by meera malhotra @ Thu Nov 4 13:51:24 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=106

• feelings of extreme elation or euphoria
• talking very rapidly
• feeling full of energy
• feeling full of self-importance - the feeling you can do anything
• feeling of possibility, exciting ideas, important plans
• being easily distracted
• being irritable or agitated
• lack of sleep or inability to sleep
• changed eating patterns
• undertaking in pleasurable activities even though you might be aware of the consequences (e.g spending money you can't afford, drinking excessively, making poor decisions)
• promiscuous behaviour due to lack of inhibitions

People with bi-polar disorder often comment that they are unaware that they are having a manic phase at the time and are often shocked or disappointed at themselves and their behaviour. However, during a manic phase it is not uncommon for that person to believe that what they are doing is acceptable and they may see the people around them as being negative or unhelpful.

Symptoms of the depressive phase include

Often those with bi-polar disorder comment that the depressive phase is made worse by the realisation of the activities commited in their manic phase. Dealing with the consequences of these actions can often lead into a depressive phase.

Treatment

Bi-Polar disorder can worsen over time if untreated. Many people with the condition may not seek treatment because they feel that the highs, or manic phases, are worth suffering due to the feelings of euphoria and possibility one experiences during such a phase.

However, with treatment, people can achieve a stabilised mood which avoids destructive consequences. The most common treatment is medication known as 'mood stabilisers'. These medicines prevent both the highs and the lows, the mania and the depression. They are taken daily over long periods of time.

As well as medication, the value of self-management cannot be stressed enough. This is a positive decision from the individual recognising they are acting destructively and deciding to do something about it. This can include learning the signs of an episode coming on, talking to someone about management techniques, and learning to gain some degree of control when in the high and low phases. This is often a very personal process, the individual learning what works for them and what doesn't.  

Insomnia

Insomnia is a disturbance of a normal sleeping pattern including difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently and not feeling refreshed after sleep. Insomnia can last for days, months or even years. Short-term insomnia lasts from one up to four weeks. Long-term insomnia is defined as lasting for over four weeks. It is important to note that pratically everybody suffers from sleeping problems at some point in their life. n fact, the NHS recently conducted a study which found that 1/3 of people in the UK suffer from insomnia at some point in their lifes. Insomnia tends to occur more in women and the elderly.  

Insomnia has a range of causes including stress, anxiety, disruptive sleeping environment or underlying physical or mental health problems.

Treatement

Treatment of insomnia can require first the treatment of any underlying mental or physical health problems. This usually leads to better sleeping patterns automatically. Also, if you suffer from short-term insomnia a GP might advise you on 'Good Sleep Hygeine' - this includes setting regular times for attempting to sleep and waking up, trying to relax before going to bed, avoiding eating heavy meals before bed, avoiding watching the clock! Your GP might also prescribe sleeping pills.

In addition for long-term insomnia, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could be a solution. This aims to change unhelpful thoughts or behaviors which may be contributing to the condition. For more info on CBT see http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/pages/introduction.aspx

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have some excellent information regarding sleeping disorders:http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/sleepproblems.aspx 

• 'I don't feel anything.' This reaction is perhaps more common than you might think. Often this is felt directly after receiving news of the death of someone close and you might just go about your normal day-to-day routine becoming involved in other activities as a coping mechanism to help you face the feelings of pain and loss.

• 'I feel out of control. My emotions are all over the place - one minute I'm fine, the next I'm in tears.' It is often hard to know how to act after a personal loss - emotional changes are entirely normal. You might find it hard to concentrate or complete everyday tasks. Adjustment is a personal journey that can take many years and there is no prescribed method that applies to everyone. Some people become extremely focused and put their energy into their work, others need to take a break or even completely remove themselves from their close friends or everyday happenings.

• 'I can't eat or sleep.' Physical reactions are very common. Often you may feel constantly exhausted, experience a loss of apetite or find it hard to sleep. With the stress of personal loss, your risk of getting ill is also increased. 

• 'I feel angry!' Anger and blame are perfectly normal responses to death. People often try to explain why this has happened and may feel someone is to blame whether it is medical practioners or carers, family, friends, strangers or even the person who has died.

• 'I feel so guilty.' People may feel guilty that they are alive when their loved one is dead, for not somehow being able to prevent it, for having let them down in some way or for not having spoken to them one last time. You might find yourself asking Why? It is important to recognise that you cannot bring them back and instead focus on the good times shared with that person. This process can take many years.

• 'I don't know how I'm going to face my friends again.' It is often hard to know how to react to a friend who is facing bereavement issues. You might think your friends are avoiding you. This is often because they are unsure what to say or may think you need time and personal space to grieve. Some people may want to talk to friends about the person close to them they have lost, and this is an important part of grieving so it is important friends are aware of this and are prepared to listen. Sometimes your friends might have known that person, and often people can grieve together by sharing memories.

• 'I find myself arguing with family and friends more now.' Grief affects people in different ways, what might be a method of coping for one person might cause distress to another - such as talking about that person. Conflicts can naturally emerge, for example with funeral arrangements, legacies or disagreements about what that person would have wanted.

• 'I don't know how I'm going to cope with the anniversary of their death.' Often it helps to arrange something in advance so that you are not left alone with your emotions. Some plan a special trip alone or with family and friends to a place of significance to remember the life of the person who has passed away. Some might find this too painful. Each induvidual will have a different way of coping.  

• 'It's been ages now, but I still find myself bursting into tears.' Often grieving can last much longer than you think. During the first stages it is common to have the support of friends and family, then when you find yourself left alone you may experience strong feelings of loneliness. Sometimes the memories of a loved one can be brought to the surface by a passing reference or a reminder of that person. It is important to remember that there is no timescale for grieving - you cannot predict when you will have accepted the passing of someone close to you.

Some ways that might help you to look after yourself whilst grieving... 

• Maintaining a healty diet
• Getting plenty of rest (even if you can't sleep) - you will be in a much better position to cope with your loss if you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle, though this may be hard at first
• Getting some fresh air/exercise
• Talking with others about the person you have lost, about your memories and feelings
• Give yourself time and permission to grieve
• Expression through art, writing or physical activity - you may find you have excess energy that can be expressed creatively or through something physical like going to the gym
• Seek help and support if you need it - whether from family and friends or anonamously through the Welfare Team, a counsellor, the Samaritans, or a relevant charity such as Cruse Bereavement Care

Some things that won't help

• Drugs or alcohol - the effects are only temporary and are likely to leave you feeling worse
• Keeping your emotions bottled up - although you may deny you are affected at first, bottling up emotions will not help you come to terms and adjust to the death of someone close
• Feeling guilty that you are struggling to cope - it is your own personal reaction, there is no 'wrong' way to grieve or time period by which you should have accepted the death
• Isolating yourself - whilst being alone may be a part of your grieving process, it is important that you do not isolate yourself indefinitely

Helping other people

Whilst it is good to recognise that someone who has recently lost a loved one may not appreciate being 'smothered', it is important you are there for someone who is grieving and are not too frightened to show them your support as their friend, or listen to them if they wish to discuss their feelings. 

Recognise that each person reacts to death differently and be prepared to adjust to the needs of the person you are supporting. Instead of offering them cliches such as 'You'll get over it' or 'Time heals' which might trivialise their suffering, offer them a listening ear and understanding. It might help them to have support during events such as the funeral or anniversary of that death.  

If you yourself are also experiencing feelings of grief along with your friend over the death of someone, it is important you remember that there is help and a listening ear for you too - whether through the anonymous feedback system, the welfare team, counselling or a charity helpline. Being there for a friend can have an emotional effect on you too, so it is important you look after yourself and your wellbeing. You cannot be expected to help another if you are not feeling right in yourself.

Personal Experience of the Day

posted by meera malhotra @ Thu Nov 4 07:28:54 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=105

It’s Day 2 of Mental Health Awareness Week -

Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety & Panic Disorder

You might have an idea about what these issues are, but please do take the time to have a read of our brief summaries or at least the Personal Experience of the Day. You might just learn something!

Stress

Everyone can benefit from  a little bit of stress from time to time. It can give you the gusto to do all sorts of things.

However, too much or too little can cause an imbalance.

Too little may cause people to seek stimulation through things which are harmful to themselves or those around them.

Too much and you may display symptoms such as anger, depression, anxiety, mood swings, food cravings, lack of appetite, and insomnia.

As students, there are plenty of issues which might cause us stress – for good reason!

When dealing with stress, it’s often a good idea to try identifying the underlying cause. It might be worth having a chat to friends, family, the welfare team, a doctor, a counsellor or Nightline. 

What about ‘stress busting’ then?

-          Keep doing the things that you love doing.

-          Sometimes you might need a bit of downtime, or ‘me time’. Take it easy for 30 minutes and recharge your batteries

-          Work smarter, not harder – try to find the work/play balance that suits you!

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological and physical condition that can be caused by extremely frightening or distressing events, often in which the person felt extreme fear, horror or helplessness.

PTSD can affect anyone; around 5% of men and 10% of women some time in their life. It can happen at any age, including in childhood. An individual with PTSD often relives the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, and has difficulties with concentrating and sleeping, with feelings of isolation and detachment from life. These symptoms can be lasting and severe enough to impair the person's daily life significantly.

PTSD can be treated by seeing a doctor, a councillor, a community psychiatric nurse, a psychologist or a psychiatrist. It is important to realize that it is never too late to ask for help - PTSD is still treatable years after the traumatic event.

Anxiety

Anxiety is somewhat of a blanket term, encompassing stress, nerves, tension, phobias, panic, fear and so on.

Everyone on earth(!) will experience some feelings of anxiety throughout their lives, but if anxiety persists to the point where it interferes with normal life, then it may become a concern. Around 18% of the UK population suffer severe anxiety or panic attacks.

Anxiety can be triggered by a whole range of factors, such as:

·         Exhaustion

·         Drug Misuse

·         Poor Diet

·         Excess Sugar

·         Caffeine

·         Stress

·         Learned response – something picked up from early life – “Be careful of this...”

·         Worry about the future

·         Something distressing that happened in the past

Anxiety is a symptom; it’s not a diagnosis in its own right.  As such, it can accompany a whole range of psychological conditions ranging from depression, phobic disorder, OCD and other issues. What’s important is that it’s recognised!

Common forms of anxiety include:

·         Generalised anxiety – general feeling of constant anxiousness

·         Social Anxiety – when the person is uncomfortable around groups and will go out of their way to avoid social situations

·         Phobia – when there is a trigger that causes intense fear, the sufferer will do anything to avoid the trigger. About 10 million people suffer from a phobia in the UK alone!

Anxiety is a very treatable condition and can improve. Do not feel as though you have to suffer in silence!

Panic  Attacks  & Panic Disorder

A Panic Attack can occur right out of the blue.  The sufferer is consumed by a sudden bout of panic, leading to an attack.

An attack occurs from a build-up of overwhelming sensations, an exaggeration of the body’s normal response to fear, stress of excitement. Symptoms include a pounding heartbeat, feeling faint, sweating, nausea, feeling of unreality or depersonalisation – even fear of death. They come on quickly and last for about 5-20 minutes.

At least 1 in 10 people suffer from occasional panic attacks.

Panic Disorder is when you suffer from these attacks on a regular basis.

What to do if someone has a panic attack:

·         One of the most important things is simply to be with that person, and re-assure them that it will pass

·         If you both feel comfortable following this, talk through the underlying stresses behind the panic attack

What can you do about Panic Disorder?

·          Work out your own response to the anxiety – When did it happen? Why? What happened? How did you feel? Then use this response to learn how to react next time- take some fresh air, play calming music etc.

·         Visit your GP, who may or may not recommend medication, such as beta-blockers or anti-depressants.

·         Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Confront the negative ideas and try to replace them with positive thinking – 85% are cured after Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

·         Exercise and healthy living.

·         Talk about your feelings to your family and friends.

Personal Experience of the day:

The following experience is from a current member of Grey. The daily experiences will not necessarily coincide with the topic of the day but are included to get people thinking about mental health issues and hopefully to realise they are a lot more common than one would think. If anything, they make the issues that the Welfare Team encounter more real. Please treat these accounts with respect and sensitivity.

Best regards,

Josh, Meera, and the Welfare Team xx

Male and Female Welfare Officers:

Josh Turner: 07805 024 013

Meera Malhotra: 07545 325 493

The Welfare Team:

Lucy Jamieson: 07807 173 308

Pippa Broadway: 07545 978 633

Sophie Wotton: 07985 722 398

Tom McMinigal: 07775 445 812

Matt Slavin: 07979 515 811

Also, Nightline, Durham University's night-time, anonymous listening service is available too through the following:

  Skype

 Telephone

Instant Messaging (via Skype)

  Drop-In

9pm - 7am.

Every night of term there will be two volunteers on duty ready with information or just a listening ear.

For more information, see the Nightline website:  http://www.dur.ac.uk/nightline/

posted by meera malhotra @ Tue Nov 2 20:39:26 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=104

Welfare Love, 

Josh, Meera, and the Welfare Team xx

Male and Female Welfare Officers:
Josh Turner: 07805 024 013
Meera Malhotra: 07545 325 493

The Welfare Team:
Lucy Jamieson: 07807 173 308
Pippa Broadway: 07545 978 633
Sophie Wotton: 07985 722 398
Tom McMinigal: 07775 445 812
Matt Slavin: 07979 515 811

Also, Nightline, Durham University's night-time, anonymous listening service is available too through the following:

•       Skype 
•       Telephone 
•       Instant Messaging (via Skype) 
•       Drop-In 
         
                         9pm - 7am.

Every night of term there will be two volunteers up all night, ready with information and a listening ear.

For more information, see the Nightline website:  http://www.dur.ac.uk/nightline/ 

posted by meera malhotra @ Mon Nov 1 13:18:38 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=103

Dear Grey,

We hope that so far you are finding Introduction To Welfare week enlightening! Check out an enthusiastic note from Tom about drop-ins...

Today we would like to remind you of the drop-in sessions ran by the Welfare Team, which occur every:

·        Tuesday, 6.30PM – 8.30PM

·        Thursday, 6.30PM – 8.30PM

·        Saturday, 2PM-4PM

During these hours, the welfare room is opened up and you can pop along to discuss anything which might be on your mind, be it just to have a chat, get information or to talk about other matters. Feel free to come down to our sexy wee room even if you just fancy a tea or coffee.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INTERRUPT THIS EMAIL WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT. DRUMROLL PLEASE.

The Welfare Room has had a refurb!

Yes, our charming little room has had a nice lick of paint and been equipped with self-assembled Swedish furniture including a sofa bed so forgiving that when you sit down, it just gives your rump a hug of matressed comfort.  Additional pimping out has been added in the form of beanbags, which you can slump in them WITHOUT even feeling the slightest bit guilty.

ANYWAY, I DIGRESS.

If you want to know which member of the Welfare Team is on duty at which times, just find our mugs on one of the many posters plastered around College.

Lots of welfare lovin’,

The Welfare Team

P.S. To contact Josh and Meera 100% anonymously visit www.dur.ac.uk/grey.welfare/

posted by meera malhotra @ Thu Oct 21 18:40:53 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=102

Evening Grey,

Read on for the second part of Sophie's email this time on pregnancy testing...

If you’ve read the last email you’ll have seen all the information about getting hold of condoms from the Welfare team whether you’re an Extra Safe, Elite orPleasuremax sort of person! However sometimes condoms get forgotten and even if you’ve used protection things can sometimes go wrong, in this instance its important for both of you to know what to do next. You might suspect you are pregnant. Doing a pregnancy test is the only way to find out if you’re actually pregnant and from there you can then think and talk through all your options before making a decision.

Myth of the Day 2 – If you or a friend are pregnant the welfare team automatically have to tell college or your parents.

Truth – This is certainly not the case, what you tell us is in confidence and we don’t judge you for what you tell us

You’ll find pregnancy tests on the welfare door, along with instructions on how to take them. The tests we supply are Clearview Easy HCG which tests for the level of HCG in your urine, (the amount of HCG in the body rises rapidly in the early days and weeks of pregnancy and can be detected by the test).   

The device consists of:

• The wick (held in urine stream) one side has a plastic coating, the other is an absorbent strip
• Viewing window

How to take the test;

1 – Single tests come individually wrapped, check that the foil packaging hasn’t been tampered with and do not use tests beyond their expiration date.

2 – Hold the sample stick pointing downwards in the urine stream, ensuring the absorbent side of the wick is facing up 

3 – Hold in urine stream for 3-7 seconds ONLY!

4 – Place the cap over the wick, KEEPING THE STICK POINTING DOWNWARDS, do not invert the device at any point

5 – Place the stick on a flat surface

6 – Read the results after 3 Minutes DO NOT interpret after 10 minutes

If the test has worked one blue line will appear in the viewing window (this is the control line) - If this does not appear after 3 minutes retake the test

Reading the results

NEGATIVE RESULT – this is indicated by one blue line (the control line) in the viewing window

POSITIVE RESULT – this is indicated by two lines in the viewing window

Negative test results
If you get a negative (not pregnant) result from the pregnancy test but still think you could be pregnant, wait another three days then take another test. Speak to your GP if you get a negative result after a second test but your period hasn't arrived.

Positive test results
If the test is positive (pregnant) then its important to talk to someone as soon as possible so you can make a decision. Welfare can point you in the right direction to talk to a GP, a doctor or nurse at the community contraceptive clinic, young person’s service or sexual health clinic. We’ve got lots of useful information on all these services available in the Durham area and we are someone to come to if you want to talk, some support or a friendly face.

Doing a pregnancy test if you're on the Pill
Always take a pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant, no matter what type of contraception you use or previously used. Hormonal methods of contraception, such as the contraceptive pill, implants and injections, work by changing a woman's hormone balance but they won't affect the result of a pregnancy test. The result will still be reliable.

It's better to know and be able to think about your options than leave it till its too late so come a grab a test from the welfare door and pop in for a chat if your at all unsure!

posted by meera malhotra @ Wed Oct 20 22:56:57 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=101

Dear Grey,

Read on for a lovely condom fuelled note from our fantastic Sophie...

Myth of the day – Using two condoms is more effective than using just one.

            No! Using two is actually more likely to make the condom break due to friction

 Although College Welfare is not all about condoms and sexual health they are something that we are here to help with. Emergency condoms are available in each block and on the welfare door but these are intended for emergency use only! You can buy your condoms direct from the welfare team on an AMAZING OFFER of £2.50 for 18, absolute bargain! Just grab one of the welfare team or drop by the welfare room.

If you’ve never used a condom before don’t worry the more you use them the easier they become to handle and if used correctly have the benefit ofprotecting you from sexually transmitted diseases as well as unintended pregnancy. A condom is made from thin latex and worn on the penis to prevent sperm entering the vagina. If used correctly they can be highly effective.

Condoms come in a variety of styles and at welfare we stock Extra Safe, Elite and Pleasure Max, to make sure your condoms meet quality standards just check for the kite mark and CE stamp. 

Check the expiration date on the condom and even if it is in date make sure there is still air in the condom packet by giving it a squeeze, this ensures it is still ok to use the condom.

·Take the condom out of the packet without tearing it

·If theres a teat on the condom use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the air out of it and roll the condom down to the base of the penis

·If the condom wont roll down you’ve probably got it on the wrong way, if so throw it away DO NOT TRY PUTTING IT ON THE OTHER WAY ROUND as there will then be sperm on the outside of the condom

·Afterwards throw the condom away

If your not sure about it you can find instructions on how to use condoms in the emergency packets around college, these are located on the Welfare door, the landing in Holgate, on the first floor of Oswald East and Oswald West and the laundry room of Elvet!

For more information and details of how to use condoms follow the link to the NHS website and a short film about using condoms:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Contraception/Pages/Condomtips.aspx

posted by meera malhotra @ Wed Oct 20 18:14:14 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=100

posted by meera malhotra @ Tue Oct 19 16:52:40 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=99

Dear Grey,

Today marks the start of our first campaign of the academic year: Introduction to Welfare Week.

In this week, we're going to show you the broad range of issues Welfare tackles and want to dispel a few rumours or two about what we do!

Day 1 is: "Team Welfare"

On the Welfare Officer's blog and around college is a Team Welfare Tree: a hierarchy of who's involved with welfare in college, starting at the Welfare Team and leading up to Simon Airey, Julie Bushby and Ian Spencer, our college staff.

Below are some descriptions about what everyone does in college who's involved with welfare just so you know who's who. Check it out!

JCR Welfare Team:
The JCR Welfare Team are a 5-strong team consisting of: Pippa Broadway, Sophie Wotton, Lucy Jamieson, Matt Slavin and Tom McMinigal. They are a point of contact whenever a welfare issue arises in college, offering a completely confidential, non-judgemental listening and signposting service any time you need it. The team are always available: you can contact them any time via phone, email or during their drop-in hours in the Welfare Room (bottom floor of Hollingside, opposite the Laundry Room). The Team are also really involved in campaigning about important welfare issues such as mental health, sexual health and stress/anxiety during the exam period. To find out a little more about them, check out their mini profiles on the Welfare Section of the JCR Website: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/welfare/whoAreWe.php

JCR Male & Female Welfare Officers:
The Male and Female Welfare Officers (Josh Turner and Meera Malhotra), like the team also hold regular drop-in hours in the Welfare Room and too are available via mobile and email. In addition to this, they also look after the on-line anonymous Welfare System where students can anonymously post messages on the message board. ONLY Josh and Meera can see these messages, and they write responses as a pair. They have NO way of de-anonymising the messages and NO way of identifying who writes any message they get through the system. In addition to this, Josh and Meera are involved in campaigning with the Team on important welfare issues and throughly enjoy it. They also both sit on the JCR Executive Committee and the Durham Students' Union Welfare Committee, finding about uni-wide issues and relaying them back to JCR members. Josh and Meera also have small blurbs on the welfare section of the JCR Website which you can check out here: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/welfare/whoAreWe.php

JCR President:
Adam is a laid back and easy-going Grey graduate from Nottingham. He's head of  JCR Welfare and is always looking to take part in the goings-on around Grey. A self-confessed Simpsons fanatic, he's always ready with a quote and is attempting to watch every episode before he leaves Durham. When he's not working, he's found either on the basketball court or on his corridor in Elvet South. His flat is always open for a chat or a cheeky bit of C.O.D. so feel free to drop by any time!

The College Staff have written about themselves and their roles in college too:

Ian Spencer (Senior Tutor):
"As Senior Tutor I have overall responsibility for all student welfare and discipline. I'm also the admissions tutor for the college and coordinate the work of the 48 tutors who each take an active interest in your life at Grey. Initially, after school, I trained as a general and psychiatric nurse. My academic career started when I went to university to read sociology and political economy, at the tender age of 23. I kept an interest in health in general and mental health in particular. 70% of my role at Durham University is as Senior Tutor. The other 30% is a Research Fellow in mental health, based at the Queen's Campus in Stockton. In my spare time I'm a nursing officer in the Territorial Army, which helps to maintain my clinical experience. I'm also a long-distance runner (5k-marathon distance). Maybe because of this, I also have a brief for sport in the College Division."

Julie Bushby (Assistant Senior Tutor):

"A dual role comprising,  I am a college administrator and offer welfare support during term.  I have undertaken professional counselling training and my welfare duties include offering practical advice and support to students with personal issues, financial, corridor, housemate, family problems.  I liaise with Departments on a student's behalf re: illness, Concession requests, or Serious Adverse Circumstances (which replaces the Mitigating Circumstances Form)."

Simon Airey (College Chaplain):
"Simon’s working life started in Timber Yards then degenerated into a few years doing a very odd assortment of jobs. To his surprise he ended up training for Christian ministry and studying theology. For 15 years he worked full time for the Anglican Church but is now part time chaplain, and part time professional storyteller. He is also involved in two or three charities, but tries to keep some breathing space for himself and his wife to simply enjoy. He believes his role as Chaplain is to continually learn from people, encourage them to live deeply, and discover what is most sacred in life. Simon’s wife is rather appropriately named Faith. Her degree was in fine art but she retrained as a gardener a few years ago. They like old ruins and walking, motorbikes and real ale, and they live in the Gilesgate area of Durham."

College Tutors:
The tutor network is another source of support at Grey. The purpose of the tutor system is to further enhance the sense of community at Grey and broaden the whole experience, as well as provide welfare support if its needed. Your college tutor acts in an entirely pastoral role: they are another point of contact in Grey should you need help, advice and support on any matter related to your time at Durham.

And finally, Myth: "My issue is insignificant and I shouldn't bother someone from welfare with it"
Truth: this is simply not true, what's important to you is important to us. We're happy to talk about anything, regardless of whether it's big or small.

Welfare Love,

Josh, Meera, and the Welfare Team xx

Male and Female Welfare Officers:
Josh Turner: 07805 024 013
Meera Malhotra: 07545 325 493

The Welfare Team:
Lucy Jamieson: 07807 173 308
Pippa Broadway: 07545 978 633
Sophie Wotton: 07985 722 398
Tom McMinigal: 07775 445 812
Matt Slavin: 07979 515 811

Also, Nightline, Durham University's night-time, anonymous listening service is available too through the following:

•       Skype
•       Telephone
•       Instant Messaging (via Skype)
•       Drop-In
        
                                                      9pm-7am.

Every night of term there will be two volunteers up all night, ready with information and a listening ear.

 So if it’s the night before and you’re not sure where your exam is tomorrow, or you’re really worried and need to get ‘the fear’ off your chest, get in touch with Nightline.

For more information, see the Nightline website:  http://www.dur.ac.uk/nightline/

posted by meera malhotra @ Mon Oct 18 11:39:28 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feed
permalink: http://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.jcr/blogs/viewBlog.php?id=13&pId=98