"My Inclusion Matters experience"

The programme:

- 6 sessions,

- Better use of interactive delivery to teach patients orientated;

- Better use of IT resources to engage participants/group members;

- The venue was clean and tidy and appeared to offer activities that would/could be incorporated into IM programme, ie exercise classes post session (Optional attendance)

What I got out of IM?

-Not too sure time's a healer in own right. Programme lowered my GAD and PMQ scores or was this a consequence of time for myself? Never know

Areas/topics I would like to have covered?

-Managing "the blues" especially after a session;

- dealing with memory loss;

-Dealing with speech shutters

- Challenging others effectively, ie language/tone- without becoming submissive and just letting it go, therefore compounding feelings and worthlessness.

- Managing relationships, family, friends, colleagues, ie trust, respect, etc

- Food and mood, ie foods to enhance serotonin etc

My story...

Menopause/Depression (what came first-never know! )

Accompanied by (No particular order):

- Grandson in prison;

- Great grandson child and family reunions;

- Immediate family bereavements;

- Investigations cancer (me);

- Immediate family cronically ill (ITU)

- Supportive rehabilitation;

- Time off work (30 yrs + same organisation with 2 episodes of sickness)- organisation made me feel bad about this;

- support son at university;

- Support daughter and son in law, and grandchildren consequently impacted on work and health;

Why am I here at Inclusion matters?

1. request of GP;

2. To demonstrate to work that I am actively seeking support to enhance my well-being; ie Because I have to be here!

3. to enhance my own knowledge of CBT

What was I expecting?

- Hadn't a clue

What was I not expecting?

- "Hi guys"

-" You guys"

"As patients"

I am not your guy and don't appreciate being labeled.