Birr Community Mental Health Team is providing a vital recovery service

Birr Community Mental Health Team is well established in Birr town. 
The service is located in an attractive 19th Century building, on Wilmer Road, beside the library and within walking distance of the shops.
Some will recall that the building was once a secondary school and they may indeed have attended school there.
Nowadays, with there being more awareness and understanding of the subject of mental wellbeing, treatment options and supports have increased and aim to reduce barriers and stigma.
“One in four people will have mental health experience at some stage in their life,” Ethna Carroll, Senior Occupational Therapist in the Birr service, explained. ”Not only does it impact on the individual but also their families and loved ones.  For this reason, treatment does not just incorporate taking medication, but has a recovery orientated approach.”
Birr Community Mental Health Team is multi-disciplinary, with a mix of health care professionals who work closely together. 
Ethna pointed out that a systematic literature review by Leamy et al (2011) revealed five complementary processes that are considered instrumental to recovery. These are:
1. Connectedness: being connected with others and our community.
2. Hope: having the belief that there is a future and a tomorrow with possibilities.
3. Identity: having an awareness of personal skills and attributes that help to build self-belief and identity.
4. Meaning: having a purpose that helps the person to feel valued and a sense of satisfaction.
5. Empowerment: a belief in a person’s own capacity to take control and is fostered by growth and learning.
Birr Community Mental Health Team embraces this ethos as it provides a person centred approach that is individual to the person and their needs.
“The first step to getting help,” Ethna continued, “can be the biggest challenge; it can be a time of feeling isolated and alone. 
“The first step is visiting your GP who will explore treatment options with you and may refer you to the Birr Community Mental Health Team.
“Following the assessment by the one of the Psychiatrists on the team, you may be referred to other members of the team, to explore your needs further and to help you develop coping skills.”
Developing coping skills might involve talk therapies and supporting the introduction of gradual changes enabling the person to adapt or to learn new skills.  For some it could mean getting involved in group work activities facilitated by different members of the team.  Some examples may include anxiety management, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Decider Skills, Self-esteem, medication management, Life Style Design, independent living skills, community integration and Physical activity groups.  Connecting with other services in the community such as Grow, Employability, Offaly Local development, Grow, Shine, Recovery Education, the Growery, Birr Mental Health Association and the Educational and Training Board, enables people to connect, gain confidence, find meaning and restore the person’s identity.
To help understand how Birr Community Mental Health Team can help those with mental health experience Mary has shared her story with Ethna for the purposes of this article (The lady did not wish to share her name, so another name was used).  Mary is hopeful that her story can help others who may be worried about their mental health and are not sure where to go for help. 
Mary started to notice that her sleep was poor and she felt out of sorts.  “I was irrational in my thinking and I felt that people were against me.”  She did not feel understood and life felt too much. She recalled having little hope and wanting to end it.  It was only after Mary went to see her GP, that she finally felt that she could talk about what was happening.  “My GP listened and started me on medication. I finally could get a full night’s sleep and I felt more positive about life.  After my mother died I again felt that I could not bear to live.”  At that stage Mary went to hospital and was followed up by Birr Community Mental Health Team.  It was her first experience to meet others who have mental health experience, and it helped her to see that she was not alone.  She acknowledges that all the support along the way which her family offered really helped “and despite everything they never gave up on me.” 
She added that with the support offered by the medical team led by the Consultant Psychiatrist she was given hope and finally started to believe in herself. Medication was prescribed and reviewed regularly.  The Community Clinical Nurse Specialist was able to educate her about her illness and how best to take care of herself, and offered home visits along with phone support.  “I also got good advice from my social worker as to what supports were available, which was important to me as I wanted to regain my independence.  The Occupational Therapist helped me to find balance and purpose in my routine and we explored opportunities to meet others in the community.  She introduced me to a Personal Development course that Offaly Local Development Company facilitated.  This introduced journaling to me and included Equine Assisted Learning.  This really helped me to feel calm and I finally felt that my thinking was more mindful.  I also got involved in a yoga class and a walking group at Birr Castle.  It was difficult to have the courage to join some of these groups, but I knew I had members of Birr Community Mental Health Team supporting me. Joining activities in the community helped me get my confidence back and I feel I am nearly back to where I want to be.  When my Dad was not well I was able to step in.  If I had not got the help when I did I don’t think I could have been there for my Dad.  I am also able to look after my house and am back to cooking.  My routine is important and taking my medication is part of it, as I know it gives me the best chance of feeling well. Getting out for a walk and being outdoors helps to clear my head.  I am going to start a Social Farming placement and this will help me to build up my confidence so that I can go back to college. I am proud of myself and how far I have come.”
Mary believes that she is finally getting on with her life. 
“My GP and Birr Community Mental Health Team helped me on the road to recovery.  It is what you do for yourself that makes the difference, as well as giving the help offered a try.”
Mary would encourage anyone who is struggling with their mental health to reach out and make an appointment with their GP.  “My GP has helped me so much and has been with me every step of my journey.”
The Community Mental Health service is based in three locations, Birr, Banagher Primary Care Centre and Rathdowney. There are about 500 people availing of their services. The services are not for people who are mentally handicapped but for able-bodied people who have hit brick walls in their lives for one reason or another.
Ethna Carroll has been working in the service for the last 17 years. She points out that unfortunately there is still a considerable amount of stigma attached to our mental health.
“If you are finding day to day living difficult, and are struggling with daily tasks, your first port of call should be your GP. He or she will either send you to talk therapy and will administer medication. The idea is to try and build up your resilience to life's difficulties. Sometimes we get referrals from the GP.”
Ethna pointed out that sometimes people attending the service are sent on Social Farming Placements. “During this people take part in everyday activities on a farm. This is relatively new and it's funded by the HSE. It has been very well received by participants. It's a popular scheme.”
For more information contact the Birr Community Mental Health Team on Wilmer Road Birr at 05791 20540.