HEALTH Learning to cope with a long-term health condition

WAY OUT?Small steps you take now to take charge of your condition can make a huge difference to your emotional and physical wellbeing.

Learning to cope with a long-term health condition


New six-week programme teaches self-management skills

Mental Matters
Jannah Walshe

Dealing with the pain and hassle of a broken bone or a migraine isn’t easy by any means, but at least there is an end in sight. This is what keeps us motivated to do what we need to do to get better fast. But what if there is no end in sight?
Living with a chronic long-term health condition can be much more difficult. While chronic health conditions are numerous and varied, dealing with the symptoms can be a protracted, even life-long reality.
There are two choices: deal with the symptoms day by day as they come up, or take control and manage the condition instead of letting it rule you. The majority of people living with a long-term health condition want to maintain an independent, healthy and an active life, and with good self-management support this can be achieved.
I have recently learned of a new six-week ‘self-care to wellness’ programme designed to help people learn how to manage many of the symptoms and feelings that are common when faced with a long-term health condition. Originally designed in Stanford University in California, the programme is new to Mayo, although it has been delivered successfully in over 25 countries around the world, including elsewhere in Ireland.
This self-care management programme is for anyone living with an ongoing or long term health condition, be it physical, mental or neurological. It aims to help people develop the skills they need to become active self-managers of their conditions and live a happier and healthier lives.
Participants decide what is important to them, and what they would like to work on. The topics covered include managing pain, fatigue and difficult emotions; nutrition and exercise methods; communicating effectively with your family, friends and healthcare team; problem solving and decision making; how to set manageable goals; and managing medications.
The programme involves one two-and-a-half hours meeting every week over the six weeks. The group will include 12 to 15 other people who are also living with ongoing health conditions. This is not a therapy group; it is a practical series of classes that teaches new skills, giving each participant a toolbox of skills that are suited to them individually and that will enhance their life in a positive way.
The meetings are facilitated by two local supervised trainers – one is a health-care professional, the other is a person who also lives with a long-term health condition. All facilitators have completed training that is signed off by Stanford University approved master trainers.
If you are interested in this programme but are unsure if it is suitable for you, you can contact the programme coordinator Jackie Lynott  on 087 7185615 to ask any questions you may have. Also your GP, practice nurse and or other healthcare professionals that may be involved in your care will be aware of the programme, and you may wish to discuss it with them.
To apply for a place on a programme, fill in the registration form found in programme brochures, which are widely available in doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies, hospital outpatients’ departments and so on. If you have not seen these brochures and would like to receive one,  contact Jackie or email selfcaretowellness@mayocil.ie.
It is common with a long-term condition or illness to feel hopeless or overwhelmed by it all. If you can relate to those feelings, don’t suffer alone. Small steps you take now to take charge of your condition can make a huge difference to your emotional and physical wellbeing.

Programmes commence January and February in Castlebar, Ballina and Claremorris, with plans to extend it later in the year to Belmullet, Wesport and Ballinrobe. Please contact Jackie Lynott on 087 7185615 or email:selfcaretowellness@mayocil.ie for more information.

Jannah Walshe is a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Castlebar and Westport. A fully accredited member of The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, she can be contacted via www.jannahwalshe.ie, or at jannahwalshe@yahoo.com or 085 1372528.