So mindfulness has proved a really useful adjunct to my daily life and indeed at times has really helped with the demands of work and life itself. Yet, its been a struggle at times to realise its benefits when I am not the most consistent of people. I have found breathing spaces absolutely invaluable and cues in my day like waiting for Tubes and green men (at traffic lights, not from space!) to show to allow me to cross the road have been really good to assist the "cracks" in the day to stop and pause.
I have decided now that its time to undergo a formal training course and I intend to start in a few weeks time a 8 week course here in sunny Bridgend.
I will be posting the process and am really keen to see how it will boost my practice and enable me to find the integration I need.
Due to a variety of factors I started my day today with a Breathing Space and it took me 30 minutes to find the peace to consistently note my breathing. I think that shows how I need to practice more and how everyday life and mental "chatter" can be so intrusive and toxic to what we need.
So a possible new direction and further being explored , so more to write soon.
Monday 12 May 2014
Show less restraint!
Since june of last year I have been busy leading a consultation process for the DH which culminated in a guidance document being launched by Care Services Minister Norman Lamb on the 3rd of April. Its all about reducing restrictive interventions. I guess most people will think of restraint , but its more than that . it can embrace physical but also chemical processes and the most common such as environmental. That's very much about practices such as blanket security processes such as locking areas, denying access to places (kitchens etc) and just being inhibited in what you can do.
But why have these practices crept into place. Its been a 300 year old debate about the balance between freedom and autonomy and the risk to self and others when in places of care and treatment. It remains a distinctive feature of mental health services that we have the ability to compel and coerce and also have a client group that at times wishes to not only endanger others but also themselves to the point of destruction.
I have met many people in this process over the last year that are really trying to do the right thing by those they care for and yet seem frustrated by what they are required to do and also the environment of scrutiny and resources allocated for their role.
Its been a 300 year old journey, but still far from over.
But why have these practices crept into place. Its been a 300 year old debate about the balance between freedom and autonomy and the risk to self and others when in places of care and treatment. It remains a distinctive feature of mental health services that we have the ability to compel and coerce and also have a client group that at times wishes to not only endanger others but also themselves to the point of destruction.
I have met many people in this process over the last year that are really trying to do the right thing by those they care for and yet seem frustrated by what they are required to do and also the environment of scrutiny and resources allocated for their role.
Its been a 300 year old journey, but still far from over.
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