Nicotine makes it all worse

People with mental health challenges do smoke more than others. Years ago, cigarettes were given out as rewards for patients in in-patient facilities, and doctors thought that smoking helped people with schizophrenia and anxiety. But the smoke has cleared: research shows that smoking actually makes mental health problems worse and interferes with medication.  Getting smoke-free has been proven to improve not just physical health but mental health as well – quitting really does make people happier!

Smokers agree: they nearly all regret starting and really want to stop. They also agree – stopping is hard! Here are some tips:

• Our mental health problems do not mean we cannot stop; in fact, we have even more reasons to quit. Every support agency and professional we deal with will support us  if we decide to quit.
• Stopping smoking will make us feel bad before we feel good!  The withdrawal symptoms peak after about two days, but will usually fade away within a couple of weeks. Some experience it worse than others, and some lucky people have no problems at all.  The symptoms can include things like headaches, irritability, sweating, nausea and insomnia… Yay! Just what we need on top of all our other problems! But believe me: it IS worth it! By the way… most of us ex-smokers still have the occasional, fleeting hankering for a smoke… even decades later!
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• If you smoke less than ten cigarettes a day, then you may be able to stop without any help. But nicotine dependency is real and we may need help, especially if we are heavier smokers Your doctor may well be able to help by prescribing something to get you through.
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• The compulsion to smoke comes from nicotine, but also from the emotions and strong habits we build around smoking: e.g. having a smoke in a certain place or situation. Nicotine patches, gum, sprays etc., give you a window of opportunity to change those habits without also having to resist the craving from nicotine withdrawal.
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• Boredom is a key reason we smoke. As well as deciding not to smoke, also make decisions to add to your life things that will be interesting, fun and positive: music, hobbies, exercise, a pet, social activities. The money we save from not buying tobacco (which can be a lot!)  gives us more money to spend on these activities.
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• Get support. Quitline helps in all sorts of ways. 0800 778 778, text 4006, quit.org.nz.
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• Vaping is not harmless, but it has been shown to help some people quit smoking. Do try other methods first though as we might find we have just traded one habit for another expensive one.
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• Don’t give up trying to give up! It is not unusual for smokers to quit and then restart again, sometimes many times.  Nicotine is a hard drug to get clear of.
• Keep the benefits in mind – Our mind and body will be healthier, it will free up so much money, and it is so much better for our family and even our pets. We will even smell better!

Brain and Body Working Together

The distress experienced by some of our top athletes shows that it is possible to be completely physically healthy and yet completely miserable from a mental health problem. But there really does seem to be a connection between mental and physical health.

Can physical health problems cause mental issues?

Yes! Of course, injuries and infections can mess with our brains directly, but sometimes the stress of being unwell can drag our mental well-being down as well. For example, painful conditions like shingles can lead to a person becoming depressed. Cancer patients often need a lot of psychological support as they go through anxieties and stresses of their illness. Just feeling rotten physically or limited, especially for a long period of time, drags our emotions down as well.

Can mental health problems cause physical health issues?

Again yes, sometimes in ways that are not well understood. For instance, people with schizophrenia have a much higher incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Schizophrenics are about five times as likely to be heavy smokers, and that has a big impact on their health and, sadly, tends to shorten their life. People with mental health problems sometimes lack the motivation to exercise, eat well and take care of themselves. Sometimes they also lack the money to buy themselves healthier food options.

Can mental health be improved by improving our physical health?

A much louder yes! We are a ‘whole package’ – mind and body interacting together. There can be huge benefits from counselling and medicines, but mental health workers know that sometimes the best improvements come when someone starts walking a few kilometres a day, or playing a sport, or getting on a bike or going to the gym. Do the benefits come from being active rather than just isolated at home? Do they come from the fact we are being socially active and mixing with people? Do they come from the wonderfully good feeling of making progress and taking control of our life? Could the benefits come from the ‘endorphins’ released as we experience the pleasure of physical activity? Or are they due to the fact that our body is stronger and fitter and somehow that makes our brain healthier too? Probably… all of the above!

You wouldn’t normally think of them as being ‘mental health strategies’ but maybe your mood would lift if you got your teeth fixed, or you walked past the burger place and into the veggie shop instead, or went for a walk, or asked your doctor for a ‘green prescription’ to go to a gym, or sold the Playstation and bought a Fit-bit instead, or got yourself the best exercise piece of exercise equipment ever… a dog!

Whānau supports mental health

Disclaimer

These blogs are offered with the sincere hope that they will be beneficial to people with mental health challenges, their families and the wider public. However, a big lesson from the history of science is that anyone can be wrong! Therefore, this disclaimer: though written in good faith, the authors and publishers cannot guarantee the accuracy of this content, or its applicability to a particular situation.  Any decisions or course of action taken as a consequence of this content must be entirely the reader’s responsibility.  In no way should this content be used as a basis to contradict or ignore the advice of a medical or mental health professional.

About us: 

Bays Youth Community Trust is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 10 years’ experience working with youth struggling with various challenging life situations. Our programmes support young people to develop resilience and build coping skills to manage issues that are causing them stress and discomfort.  We provide quality wrap-around services for youth and their family whānau and are involved in the areas of education, counselling, mentoring, coaching, youth justice and child protection.

Bays Youth Community Trust is based on the North Shore and the organisation is associated with the Windsor Park Baptist Church and Equip Mental Health and Addictions Agency.  We are a values led organisation who truly care about the people we work for and have a strong Christian ethos.  We pride ourselves on our supportive, inclusive culture and our success in making a positive difference in the lives of others.  

About the role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic person to join our mentoring team.  This is a dynamic role so you will need to be organized and energetic, with the ability to build relationships with youth in one to one or group situations.   This is a great opportunity to work in an energetic, fun environment to provide positive early intervention services and support for young people.  We are supportive of professional development and training will be provided in the role.  You will be mainly working between Monday to Friday with the exception of some out of hours work when required.  

Skills and experience:

 The successful candidate will:

·         Be a team player who is self-motivated and can work autonomously.

·         Be respectful of others beliefs and life choices. 

·         Work experience with youth is preferred.

·         Be willing to develop professionally through training and study.

·         Have a genuine passion to make a difference.  

·         Be flexible with good time management skills.

·         Have a clear Police and Oranga Tamariki background check.

·         Holds a current full, clean NZ motor vehicle licence.

·         Have NZ Residency or a valid NZ Work Visa.

Application Process:

If you have the skills we seek, plus a can do attitude and want to belong to a supportive and engaging team making a real difference in our community, we would love to hear from you!

So if you’re looking for a job that’s more than just a job, download an application pack from our website: www.equip.net.nz .   Please quote reference number BYME on the application.

Applications close:  4pm Monday 16th March 2020.

More Information:

Job Description

Equip Core Values

applications require:

Send the above completed forms to:

looking for a job where you can make a real difference?

If you enjoy working with people, helping them regain the skills and confidence to lead a meaningful life, and you're practical as well as empathetic, you could be a Community Support Worker (CSW) for Equip, one of Auckland's leading Mental Health organisations.

WHO IS EQUIP?

We are an independent mental health Not for Profit organisation associated with Windsor Park Baptist Church and have a strong Christian ethos.  With a staff of around 70, we are a values led organisation who truly care about the people we work with and for.  We pride ourselves on our supportive, inclusive culture and our success is making a positive difference in the lives of others

ABOUT THE ROLE:

A CSW works in partnership with the other person on recovery goals leading to a satisfying life. You’ll work autonomously with service users living in the community in the Central Auckland and North Shore, and also in partnership with the clinical teams and with the clinical teams and Family/Whānau. The work entails helping service users reach self-directed goals and maximise strengths.

This position is for 32 hours per week mostly Monday to Friday with some flexibility required to meet the needs of the service users.

You’ll receive a thorough induction and on-going training. Equip will support you to commence relevant training (Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health and Well-being), or you will have completed this already. Higher skills and qualifications in the field of diversional therapy and dementia would be an additional advantage

WHAT WILL I NEED?

• A genuine passion to work with people, being a good listener and communicator
• Be computer literate
• Be a NZ resident or have a valid NZ work visa
• Full NZ driver licence
• Be a team player who is self motivated and can work autonomously