Speaker by Various Artists

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Speaker: The Shaken Generation

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  • Robert Fox,

    This is just another example of the utter contempt this government seems to hold for those in need here in Canterbury. The grim irony in all of this is that through the contemptible actions of EQC the Govt are also responsible for a lions share of the stress, anxiety and depression experienced by the people of Christchurch. I’ve just about had enough of keeping the glass half full for my family in the face of such crap and it may just be time for us to move on from this city.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    In addition schools which have acted as safe community hubs have been closed by Government decree and children relocated to bigger more distant schools, and Relationships Aotearoa lost contracts and closed, so a skilled workforce lost.

    I was saddened that many of the commentators on Sunday mentioned the ongoing insurance problems and that these would start all over again. Why can't the government sort this out? Previous governments did and one set up a state insurer.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    I moved from Chch two years ago, and I'm still dealing with anxiety problems stemming from the quakes. I was hoping to reduce my anti-anxiety meds, but yesterday I had a night of nightmares followed by a day of near-crippling anxiety, which I'm sure is a result of Sunday's earthquake. And I wasn't even there for this one!

    For those who still live in Chch and are still dealing with insurance issues...I can't imagine what you're going through. I send you all my love.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Dr Robyn Hewland Q.S.M.,

    To add to info to discuss - Sir Michael Rutter, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, who was at Maudsley Hospital in London, decades ago, wrote a book "Resilience in Adversity". From his longitudinal research, he noted that resilience needed at least two experiences- (1)- when started primary school, felt unconditionally loved by at least one person, and so knew and remembered was/ is LOVABLE, and, (2) when left Secondary School, had achieved OK in at least one area- eg academic, sport, arts, music, leadership, and so when under stress again, knew that had and so could HOPE and PERSIST to do so again.- more research since, any changes, and updates?

    Christchurch NZ • Since Feb 2016 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Lilith __,

    I got this from a quite a few Christchurch people. James Dann, who was robust (bolshie even) through the aftershock years, admitting how vulnerable and upset he felt when the quakes came back on Sunday.

    And that’s just the people who can talk about it. The gap between the National government’s talk and its actions is a disgrace. They say they care, and they don’t.

    Part of the problem, I’m sure, is the current Minister of Health. I can’t recall a minister whose oversight of his successive portfolios has seemed so focused on his own political advancement. He’s the emptiest of empty vessels.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    All of New Zealand should be deeply ashamed that their government is doing this to the people of Christchurch.

    The Minister is pretty much only interested in carving another few dollars off the budget so his party can buy the next election with a tax cut. Contempt is hardly a good enough word.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Why can't the government sort this out?

    Because they are incompetent and ideological, and they keep getting re-elected despite that.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Christopher Dempsey,

    Put simply, the Government hates Chch for some reason. Hates it intensely.

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report Reply

  • andin,

    Unfortunately we have a Health Minister than is more interested in financial performance than people’s wellbeing and a government that has a track record of slashing counselling services and underspending on public mental health services.

    You mean a bunch of total arseholes. It just gets more and more depressing...
    That johnkey such a nice man... FUCK!

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Dr Robyn Hewland Q.S.M.,

    Robyn Hewland
    10:28 AM

    From: Robyn Hewland (hewlandr88@hotmail.com)
    Sent: Tuesday, 16 February 2016 10:28:56 AM
    To: RadioNZ (rnz@radionz.co.nz)
    QUAKES-
    As in my text to RNZ at 6am today, as effects of quakes affect physical changes in brain circuits and body , could you provide on air a health info session re it, eg from Dr Richie Pointon, Govt Advisor (at Otago Univ)? Also, ask him re NEURO-SCIENCE updates re nature & nurture, and how early negative risks could be modified by others.

    TRAUMA and stress raises BLOOD CORTISOL levels, which will stay up if not addressed and poor sleep and exercise, which will reduce immunity to illness and cancer, reduce coping skills, at work, in parenting, and increase domestic violence, substance abuse, violence and crime.
    Reports on RNZ today from Christchurch teachers, Counsellors, Police, Salvation Army, etc, described some of these effects.
    Repeated trauma in childhood (eg sexual abuse, quakes), without specialist psychotherapy, can lead to physical changes in brain structures and circuits and to PTSD. PTSD has a 50% co-morbid depression risk, with impaired concentration, cognition, energy. Any overwhelming anxiety and fear can trigger biochemical changes to trigger psychotic episodes (schizophrenia, melancholia).
    More will need Invalid Benefits if unable to work with triggered PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc.

    PRISON & Police calls re MENTAL HEALTH -
    About 60-70% of inmates have a diagnosed mental illness or brain injury history.
    Neuro-science shows substance abuse and all addictions have brain-circuit mental illness changes and are a Health issue, not a moral problem nor to be punished.
    Judges called for Mental Health COURTS, to reduce prison revolving doors with no treatments (medications, therapy).
    One Judge referred to today's prisons as had replaced 19 Century Mental Illness Asylums. Queensland in Australia has a separate MENTAL HEALTH COURT and specific Forensic Mental Health Act TRIBUNAL processes.(I was a past member of Mental Health Tribunal in NZ, and, Qld)

    When was Visiting Consultant Psychiatrist to ChCh Prisons (Remand, Paparua) in 1977-92,and to Probation (1 hr/week), about 4 hours a week at Paparua, plus emergency call-outs to Addington Remand (av 1-2/week), I, with assistance by discussions with senior staff, led to NO SUICIDES in those prisons during my 15 years (except one when I was on leave).
    I used post-graduate training in psychotherapy to form therapeutic relationships, connections and assist changes. I started a group in Protection Wing for sex offenders, then 50 of them signed for a special Prison Unit, and then Sir Geoffrey Palmer agreed to establish Kia Marama.

    As Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at Sunnyside Hospital (now Hillmorton), I arranged to be called to Police Watch House within 24 hours, to discuss with staff and assess those after a serious charge (murder, manslaughter) or with behaviour of serious concerns.

    With ACC, I saw over 1000 re sexual abused, in therapy, supervision of counsellors, and report to ACC re compensation.

    As Consultant (part-time) to Dept Social Welfare's Child, Youth & Families, I was referred to by Senior Social Workers from Offices, KIngslea Girls Home, Boys Home, Youth Justice, Child Protection, Family Group Conferences, Family Court.

    I and my colleagues from then, are CONCERNED re LOSS of so many services then that were effective, and increased VIOLENCE now, and, the need for free supportive PARENTING EDUCATION for all from antenatal, with incentives to attend, with and for future children.
    "We all do the best we know how at the time". "Society gets the children and adults it deserves" (my quotes from 1975+).

    Regards,
    Dr Robyn Hewland QSM
    MB.ChB. DPM. FRCPsych. FRANZCP. MNZAP
    (a past President of NZ Assoc Psychotherapists, &, of NZ Medical Women's Assoc)

    Christchurch NZ • Since Feb 2016 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    The people seeking help specifically for earthquake related trauma are just the tip of the iceberg. Lots of people are doing sort of OK but doing that much is taking all their reserves so it just takes one more bad thing - a bereavement or illness or relationship breakdown to tip them into a much darker place than they would have gotten to had the background radiation of quake stress not been there.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • lynne walker,

    This may be out of the field, but you wonder about the 'seeming' lack of empathy in our world, reported daily in our papers, the ability to walk in others shoes and I wonder if this'modelling' by Senior politician is part of this process. I find it deeply disturbing.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2011 • 23 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Isabel Hitchings,

    it just takes one more bad thing – a bereavement or illness or relationship breakdown to tip them into a much darker place than they would have gotten to had the background radiation of quake stress not been there.

    Yes. Sadly, all the ordinary shitty things still happen in the aftermath of a natural disaster. I've seen friends crack under the combined pressure. Canterbury people deserve special support and added services.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle MacDonald,

    And in further slashing news, health boards ordered to slash a further $138 million from budgets. How those tax cuts looking now? http://nzh.tw/11590079

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 82 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Dr Robyn Hewland Q.S.M.,

    Resilience in Adversity

    Once you take the 'ire'
    out of resilience
    all that's left is 'silence'...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Kyle MacDonald,

    Not to mention the TPPA inevitably putting
    pharmaceutical costs up as well...

    the conversion from dairy farming
    to organ farming will be swift and profitable!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/76927843/cashstrapped-womens-centre-turning-people-away

    More women than ever before are visiting the Women’s Centre, for help with stress, depression, anxiety and suicide.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/76894335/mike-yardley-gaping-reality-of-unmet-medical-need-is-undeniable

    At 77, Margaret’s knackered foot didn’t pass muster on the agony index, part of the rather perverse rationing apparatus, that crowd controls access to elective surgery.
    Her story was all too familiar. Nine years ago, she gave up trying to pay for private health insurance, as the annual premiums went stratospheric. But the Charity Hospital was her white knight, delivering life-changing surgery.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Once you take the ‘ire’
    out of resilience
    all that’s left is ‘silence’…

    Like.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Dr Robyn Hewland Q.S.M.,

    Thank you.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kyle MacDonald,

    How those tax cuts looking now?

    muh increased income from top-skewed personal tax cuts and them lovely untaxed capital gains are lush, thanks

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe,

    I have earthquake PTSD, so has my partner, and one of our sons. Beloved and I are visiting a first grandchild in GC for a week. Sunday was our first day here: an amble to the beach, a 20-minute paddle. Breathing out, realising the tension that had accumulated during the preparations for the visit, including a full-on emergency contact list and doombox for my sons and the back-up friend staying with them. We stepped off the beach, and the text from our son: a 5.9. I sat in the shade, put my head in my hands and called.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Isabel Hitchings,

    The people seeking help specifically for earthquake related trauma are just the tip of the iceberg. Lots of people are doing sort of OK but doing that much is taking all their reserves so it just takes one more bad thing – a bereavement or illness or relationship breakdown to tip them into a much darker place than they would have gotten to had the background radiation of quake stress not been there.

    This is so true. Not one area of my nuclear family's life has not been majorly affected by the earthquakes in an major - and often unexpected - way. New events like this are still happening.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    This explains a lot too...
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76957685/government-agencies-inventing-numbers-to-meet-targets-says-report

    These people are no longer fit to govern.
    we need a paradigm shift from 'fear' to 'care'!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald,

    This....http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76938252/jonathan-coleman-annette-king-in-numbers-war-as-row-over-dhb-funding-heats-up

    and on http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/20160217

    Guyon Espiner interviews Coleman and has a 'pant's on fire' moment'.

    (There will be two protesting in spirit on the 21st)

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

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