Mind over matter

THE intense shock and grief of losing a partner had a devastating effect on Jane's self-confidence. The 30-something from Darlington was dealt a blow when her husband suddenly died. Faced with the uncertainties of building a new life, she found herself developing severe anxiety problems.

"I had had a problem with anxiety in the past but after my husband died, it got an awful lot worse," says Jane (not her real name). Her family doctor was sympathetic but could only suggest a course of anti-depressants to tide her over. "That was all very well but anti-depressants don't get to the root cause of the problem, do they?" she says.

Someone suggested she should approach Mind, the long-established mental health charity which has a presence in most North-East towns and cities. At first she hesitated, feeling that contacting it was a step too far. After all, wasn't Mind for people who were mentally ill?

"I suppose people think there is a bit of a stigma in contacting Mind. To be honest, I was quite nave about what they actually do," says Jane.

Overcoming her reservations, she approached the Darlington branch and was invited to have a chat with one of its trained counsellors. The session went well and Jane was asked whether she would be interested in going on a special anxiety management course. "The course was excellent and really gave me the tools I needed to overcome my problem," she says.

Once she had used Mind's services, there was no stopping her. "I reckon I've now gone on about five of their courses and I have also had counselling and alternative therapies like massage and yoga."

One of the courses she found particularly useful teaches basic relaxation techniques. "Being able to relax properly has been really helpful," says Jane. With her self-confidence growing, she was encouraged to develop her interest in counselling. "I went on to do a basic counselling course at Darlington College. It felt like quite an achievement and has encouraged me to have faith in my ability and to build my self-respect," she says.

Now with a new, interesting job, Jane has no intention of turning her back on the organisation which has helped her turn a corner in her life.

"Now I know the staff and volunteers I feel I can drop in for a chat any time," she says.

For Helen Mills, chief executive of Darlington Mind, cases like Jane make it all worthwhile. "The reason we are here is to support people who are having mental health problems. In many cases, it is their first experience of a mental health upset and this can be the result of emotional distress, ill-health, bereavement or some other trigger," she says.

Darlington Mind is one of 210 local Mind associations throughout England and Wales. Each offers a range of services, including supported housing, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, counselling, befriending, advocacy, and employment and training schemes.

Tucked away in a side street off one of the main trunk roads through the town, Darlington Mind is based in an Edwardian former clergy house which has been imaginatively converted to provide office accommodation and sheltered flats for people who are recovering from an episode of mental ill-health.

Every week, the Mind team at Darlington provides assistance to an average of 150 people. This year is a special year for the branch - in December, it will be 15 years old. "Rather than having one large event to celebrate our 15th birthday, we are having events throughout the year," says Helen.

Apart from basic counselling services - the backbone of what Mind does and there is currently a waiting list for them - the charity offers a range of specialist courses tailored to people's needs. Clients can book themselves into sessions on assertiveness and how to manage anger, anxiety and depression. "Our counselling service is open to the general public by appointment and we try to give people an appointment within a fortnight," says Helen.

While most Mind branches offer these services, Darlington has been pioneering new areas of activity, including an unusually close working relationship with the local mental health trust, which is currently building a new psychiatric hospital on the western fringes of the town.

"One of the big successes in recent years has been something known as the European Computer Driving Lesson, or ECDL. Apart from giving people basic computer literacy skills, it boosts their self confidence and helps to get people better connected with society," says Helen.

A particularly popular aspect of the course is learning to use email. "Lots of people in the Darlington area have families living abroad and email is an excellent way of keeping in touch with them. That is one of our real success stories," she adds.

As part of the link up with the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, which has involved several members of NHS being seconded to the charity, Darlington Mind is developing a range of new courses under the heading "broadening horizons". The idea is to give people who are keen to get back into mainstream life a leg-up back into the world of employment. "We are offering occupational therapy, which looks at occupational and educational opportunities which may be available," says Helen.

Staff from Darlington Mind and their NHS colleagues have visited similar schemes in London, Birmingham and Belfast to learn from best practice elsewhere. "We have already started some new courses. One called Options has already helped people get back to work," Helen continues. "Eventually, we are hoping that we will be able to meet the wider occupation, educational and training needs of people with mental health problems in Darlington."

Of course, Mind itself provides employment opportunities for former clients. "Mind is as much about volunteers as staff. If it wasn't for our volunteers, we would not be able to function," says Helen. "Some people get involved in volunteer work with us because it is part of a career path but others volunteer because they have had their own experience of mental health problems and want to give something back."

Certainly, Jane is very glad that Mind is still around 58 years after the charity was founded. "The great thing about Mind is that you don't need to have a referral from your GP - you can refer yourself - and I am so glad I did," she says.

* For more information about Mind, ring the Mindinfoline on 0845 766 0163 or visit the website www.mind.org.uk