Maxine BARON

Mum of 3 great kids, love running and Cumbria.

[Geoff Jolliffe @MI5GCJ]

“The UK has entered a period of very lightweight mitigations with a very narrowed booster rollout,” 

https://t.co/FNDrx8IkSD

[YoungMinds @YoungMindsUK]

If someone you know starts to have a panic attack, here is what you can do to help. ⬇

1/ Stay with them
If you can, stay with the person during their panic attack. Just by you being there, you can help them to calm down and remind them that help is available. It is okay if you are finding it overwhelming. You can find another friend, family member or teacher they trust to support your friend and you.

2/ Talk to them and encourage them
You can chat to the person about how they are feeling or anything that they like, such as favourite Netflix shows or their hobbies. This can distract them from their anxious thoughts, helping them to feel calm and to slow down their breathing. They might find it difficult to talk and might want to focus on their breath - that’s okay and it’s important to respect their boundaries and how they are feeling.

3/ Check in with your friend
Even though your friend may no longer be panicking, they can still feel anxious or on edge afterwards. You can check in with them to see how they are feeling. This will remind them that they are not alone and you are there for them.

[Every Life Matters | Cumbria @Every_Life_Cumb]

World Suicide Prevention Day
Sunday 10th September 8.00pm

Come together to remember those lost to suicide and those living with thoughts of suicide. Events are taking place across the county and everyone is welcome.

Find out more https://t.co/QA6VZD5oFD
#WSPD #Cumbria

[YoungMinds @YoungMindsUK]

To any parent whose child is experiencing school anxiety, this story is really worth reading. Sarah shares what happened when her daughter Emily couldn’t go to school because of overwhelming anxiety.

“Primary school was easy. Emily was outgoing, sociable, loved her drama classes. Secondary started well: new friends, good grades. She seemed positive.

Then, in Year 8, things went wrong. First came the odd detention; then repeated warnings in class, frequent calls home, meetings about behaviour.

We stumbled on until the pandemic sent school online. At home, Emily became withdrawn. She saw less of friends. Reluctantly, she returned to school for Year 9, but things fell apart in weeks. One morning she simply said she couldn’t put her uniform on or go in. I knew nothing about anxiety-related school absence. I naively thought young people just got up and went unless they were physically ill.

Attempts to cajole or force (yes, I bundled her into the car one day) led to panic attacks and uncommunicative days under the duvet. As term progressed, so did the anxiety. The result was six months of depression, self-harm - and no more school that academic year.

It was deeply distressing; for Emily mainly, but also for me. Witnessing your child’s mental health decline rapidly is terrifying. It was also very isolating. Even the most empathetic friends and family cannot understand without direct experience.

Where are we now?

Emily, now in Year 10, is in school most days. She works on her anxiety with a fantastic mentor and spends breaks in a quiet room. She has regular CAMHS appointments and is waiting for an autism assessment. Things aren’t easy, but they are so much better.

The turning point was hospital admission after a particularly serious self-harm incident. A psychiatrist assessed Emily (she had previously refused to engage with CAMHS) and prescribed sertraline for anxiety and depression. There was real improvement, quickly. It was an indescribable relief.

After a few weeks, Emily said she felt like going back to school. She was still anxious, as well as nervous about missed work and what people would be saying, and there were some failed attempts. Then her mentor offered a home visit. They chatted and then she suggested Emily put her uniform on for a walk “just to the school gates”. She managed an hour in school for the next three days. That would have seemed inconceivable previously. The home visit from school was the link we needed.

There are still days when Emily can’t go in, but letting go of the idea that education has to be a linear progression helps. It’s not easy, but I try not to worry about the future too much. I’ve learnt that mental health takes priority over education. School remains a daily battle for Emily, and I am so proud of what she has achieved.”

If you relate to Sarah’s story, our Parents Helpline can support you. You can call us call us for free on 0808 802 5544, from 09:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. You’ll get through to a trained adviser who will listen and talk through your concerns in complete confidence. You are not alone in this.

[COPD Foundation @COPDFoundation]

Increase your knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with our free, downloadable guides. Whether you have #COPD, are a caregiver, friend, family member, or health care professional – our guides are designed to teach everyone something new. https://t.co/SkD0HVzb5E

[Barrow ICC's @BarrowIcc]

We are very please to announce the launch of our Long Covid support café. At St Mary's hospice Ulverston Wednesday 13th September at 11am. Come and join us for a brew and chat. @stmaryshospice

[Barrow ICC's @BarrowIcc]

Next week is Know Your Numbers Week. Come along and get your blood pressure checked. Our Team will be at the following venues next week.
Monday - Tesco Extra 10-12
Wednesday Salvation Army 11.45-1.45
Thursday Forum 11.00-1.00
Come along and get your blood pressure checked.

[Patient Experience UHMBT 🌻 @PUhmbt]

British Sign Language (BSL) users can now contact @UHMBT via an app on your mobile phone. You are not charged for this service. Download SignLive @SignLiveUK and search Furness General Hospital or Morecambe Bay.

[Westmorland and Furness Council @WandFCouncil]

Do you have children beginning or returning to school in September?

Make sure you’ve applied for free school meals and clothing grants if you’re eligible - even if your children are in reception or years 1 and 2.

More information and how to apply: https://t.co/WeihfTfQ7L

[@dropzone21 @dropzone2112]

Please see below details of the bike skills and confidence sessions in Ormsgill next week. Placed have to be booked🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

[Dr Louise Newson @drlouisenewson]

Many women experience feelings of low self-esteem when they become perimenopausal, which can be quite confusing because it isn’t a symptom that many people would automatically associate with hormones. But actually, your hormones can play a really important role in your brain and psychological symptoms are really common.

I would not be working as a doctor if I didn’t replace my missing hormones by taking HRT because I was really struggling with so many perimenopausal symptoms, so if you are also struggling with confidence at work, take a second and ask yourself, could it be the perimenopause or menopause? Think about if you’re experiencing any other related symptoms too and then go speak to your healthcare professional about treatment options - because there is help available!

[Maxine BARON @maxine_baron]

@RixomK @NewshJo @MBResp @KarenD_ACP_Resp Happy flexi- retirement @NewshJo wonderful nurse & fabulous person. Well done for your service #NHS

[Selina Jolliffe @jollibird]

New business cards!
Let me know if you’d like me to send you some, to hand out to your customers/clients/patrons… ☺️👍🏼

[British Geriatrics Society @GeriSoc]

"Most people believe #frailty is inevitable & irreversible. This clinical trial showed that a simple, low-cost, home-based intervention can reverse frailty and significantly improve muscle strength, bone mass, activity levels and slowness in 3 months." https://t.co/6ByaKNe9kL

[Geoff Jolliffe @MI5GCJ]

I am old enough to remember seeing a child Die with Measles.

"Due to longstanding suboptimal vaccine uptake there is now a very real risk of seeing big outbreaks in London.”

https://t.co/t2EkkJtBOS

[Tamsin Kind @tamsin_kind]

UHMB are looking for a Deputy Associate Director of AHP’s 😊 It’s a new role and a fantastic 8b Leadership opportunity for an enthusiastic, innovative AHP. Morecambe Bay is a beautiful area to live and work. Please have a look at the advert….

[BrilliantBarrow @BrilliantBarrow]

It's time for our second ever #BrilliantBarrow Summer of Fun!🤩

A fantastic series of free, family-friendly events will take place in Barrow town centre and at @DockMuseum over the summer holidays thanks to the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Place Development project.

[Gary Lineker @GaryLineker]

This is very powerful and brave. Good luck to you @dele_official 🙌🏻

[Westmorland and Furness Council @WandFCouncil]

We're hiring!

Programme Director - Major Projects and Regeneration (Barrow and Furness)

We have a unique opportunity for a Programme Director to explore new ways to deliver planned investment and growth in Barrow and Furness.

https://t.co/xfThhMbaks