NMDHB Mental Health Services Go Smokefree:
There is now a move within Mental Health services nationally - including in Nelson /Marlborough to go Smokefree by January 2010.   All DHB Mental health facilities will be involved in going smokefree.
As hospitals are in the business of providing Health Care it is inconsistent to provide health care and at the same time remain silent or inactive about a major health risk.
Going Smokefree will be "staggered" with Nikau House going first.
Staff and consumers at each facility will have lots of opportunity to feedback and make suggestions. Please feel free to do this, we hope to make the process user-friendly. 

Consumers may continue to smoke if they  wish but please not on NMDHB grounds or buildings.

Nelson/Marlborough DHB consumers who smoke currently, but  would like to think about giving up  will be able to talk to  their  keyworker about this. The keyworker will be able to refer consumers to a Cessation Specialist who can provide support and issue cards for nicotine replacement: (gum/patches/lozenges), which can really help.  Gum, patches and lozenges will be heavily subsidised - much cheaper than buying over the counter, or buying cigarettes!  
 It is not Nicotine which is harmful to health but rather the 4000 chemicals contained in tobacco and the hydrocarbons resulting in tobacco smoke. 
 It is important that the prescribing doctor knows  if  patients stop  smoking as sometimes  doses of  some medications need to be adjusted.
It's important that those who do decide to stop smoking don't become disheartened if  their quit attempt is not completely successful. Most people have a number of attempts before succeeding and every attempt  gives useful information  about what works/doesn't work for  that individual . 

Please feel free to comment if you would like to, we would value your suggestions.  You may feedback via  Una Callanan           
Smokefree Coordinator for Mental Health  
NMDHB         Una.Callanan@nmhs.govt.nz

Nikau House Wellness Project:
Nikau House is very pleased to welcome Registered Nurse, Alison Rowe, to the Nikau team. Alison, along with Wellness Support Worker Paul Sullivan (due to start in late October) is going to be working in our new "Wellness Service" which focuses on improving the physical health of people accessing Mental Health Services.
The Wellness Clinic Nurse will provide advice, education and complete a comprehensive health check which will provide relevant information needed by a GP, including mental health history. This information will be useful for the consumer, their family, Case Manager and Psychiatrist, as well as their GP.
It is also planned that the Wellness Clinic will run groups and individual programmes specifically focused on holistic health care including weight management, smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle groups, cooking, exercise based groups/individual programmes and stress/anxiety management and self esteem groups. This service will be available for all people who access our services, not just Nikau House members...input may be brief or ongoing dependant on need.

Family& Whanau Feedback Group:
The next Family and Whanau feedback group will be held on Friday  October 31 at 12.30pm at the Family Advisors office
At Te Whare Omahu, (blue house next to Mental health car park and above inpatient unit)

Ten year old Chris Marino lives in a blue-collar town. His father is a carpenter and his mother Mary suffers from schizophrenia and paints her dreams onto canvas.  When Mary's illness leads to violence and endangers the family, John has no choice but to hospitalise the woman he loves.  Unable to cope he immerses himself into building a sailboat from scratch, neglecting his job and son.  The film traces the family's journey from struggling to cope, to learning to accept and ultimately coming closer together through love. This film stars Emmy Award winner Joe Pantoliano and Academy award winner Marcia Gay Harden and has won many awards for best portrayal of mental illness.