The International Council of Nurses advised that 80% of nurses have experienced mental health distress and worldwide, nurses are facing mass trauma*. This week, Norah talks to Johnny Moran from the Trauma Response Network Ireland and Davina Ramkissoon Wellness Director in Zevo Health about the differences between trauma, PTSD and burnout. Throughout the Pandemic, many front-line workers have been in survival mode. Now, as we adjust to our lives working with Covid-19, it’s time to acknowledge our own traumatic responses, listen to our bodies and seek support if you need it. 

Let’s Wrap It Up: Each episode ends with a quick 5-minute wrap up session with mental health expert Bríd O’Meara; links to Bríd's support recommendations include:

• 
  One-to-one Support and information on HSE and Non HSE Employee Assistance Programmes can be accessed from here: Support Services 
• There is a 24hr Counselling Line available to all INMO members - Counselling Helpline 1850 670 407 or (01) 881 8047
• You can talk to a Text About It Crisis Volunteer by free texting INMO to 50808
• For more information on EMDR or to register your interest in this therapy, visit Trauma Response Network Ireland
• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy have created a list of Psychotherapists willing to provide voluntary services for frontline workers, visit them here
• For resources on webinars and resources discussed, visit:  Let's Talk About It Resources
  
  

If you have been affected by the conversation today, there are a number of one to one and self-directed mental health supports available to you. Visit our Support Services page for more information.

*2021, The International Council of Nurses, based on findings from 130-plus National Nurses Associations (NNAs).  Let's Talk About It, a mental health collective for INMO members, is brought to you by INMO and Cornmarket. ‘Let’s Talk About It Podcast’ is bought to you by INMO and Cornmarket as a part of Let’s Talk About It, a mental health collective for INMO members.

Listen to Ep. 5: Menopause, mental health and nursing

There is no doubt that the menopause has become a bit of a hot topic this year, with the rise of celebrity discussing their peri-menopausal symptoms. Still, it’s thought that nearly 80%* of women feel underprepared for this transition. This week Norah talks to former nurse Kathleen Kinsella of Kinsella Management Solutions and founder of the Menopause Hub, Loretta Dignam about the impact menopause has on the wellbeing and mental health of nurses and midwives. With 33%* of women experiencing episodes of anxiety, it’s time to talk about it and maybe even change the conversation.

Let’s Wrap It Up: Each episode ends with a quick 5-minute wrap up session with mental health expert Bríd O’Meara; links to Bríd's support recommendations include:

• For resources on wellbeing and mindfulness, visit:  Let'sTalk About It Resources

• For more information on the symptoms of menopause, visit The Menopause Hub

• For access to free CBT courses on sleep, stress and more, visit Self-Directed CBT Courses or directly on Aware: Adult Programmes | Positive Mental Health | Aware

If you have been affected by the conversation today, there are a number of one to one and self-directed mental health supports available to you. Visit our Support Services page for more information.

*2019, INMO and Kathleen Kinsella, “Menopause at work”, based on 500 responses.  Let's Talk About It, a mental health collective for INMO members, is brought to you by INMO and Cornmarket. ‘Let’s Talk About It Podcast’ is bought to you by INMO and Cornmarket as a part of Let’s Talk About It, a mental health collective for INMO members.

In the episode our guests talk about starting a conversation on mental health using real lived experience of eating disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder. Norah is joined by disabilities nurse, Johnny Hunt and director of 50808 Text About It, Nicole Forster to look at how nurses and midwives can start the conversation with friends, family or with a support service. Now a See Change ambassador, Johnny hopes that by sharing his story he can help normalize conversations about mental health in the nursing and midwifery professions.

Let’s Wrap It Up: Each episode ends with a quick 5-minute wrap up session with mental health expert Bríd O’Meara; links to Bríd's support recommendations include:

• 
  Free text INMO to 50508 at any time to start a conversation.
• There is also a 24hr counselling helpline available to INMO members – call 1850 670 407 or (01) 881 8047
• If you need support, or would like to find out more about anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder, visit Aware here: https://www.aware.ie/ 
• If you need support, or would like to find out more about depression or bipolar disorder, visit Shine and See Change here: https://shine.ie/
• If you need support, or would like to find out more about eating disorders, please visit: https://www.bodywhys.ie/ 

If you have been affected by the conversation today, there are a number of one to one and self-directed mental health supports available to you. Visit our Support Services page for more information.

Let’s Talk About It Research Findings are discussed in this episode: Source Cornmarket, April 2021, Let’s Talk About It Research Project which included Cornmarket’s Shape the Initiative Survey, March 2021, based on 1,134 responses from INMO Income Protection Scheme Members. Let's Talk About It, a mental health collective for INMO members, is brought to you by INMO and Cornmarket. ‘Let’s Talk About It Podcast’ is bought to you by INMO and Cornmarket as a part of Let’s Talk About It, a mental health collective for INMO members.