
Hosted by Claire · EN

In this episode, I sat down for a very special and important conversation with one of the few Holocaust survivors still living in Ireland, the renowned Tomi Reichental. Tomi talked me through his life story – from growing up as a child in Slovakia, to his time at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp from when he was just nine years old, to his work and family life here in Ireland. He speaks about his earliest memories and ‘the whispers’ of antisemitism, through to more recent times speaking to people in Ireland and further afield about his experiences of World War II. A deeply personal and insightful journey and a reminder of the importance of solidarity, respect and understanding in challenging times, and the pillars and values of peace on which the European Union was built

As some of you may remember, in December last year I pre-recorded a segment on a popular radio station here in cork. The previous day a girl had been on air talking about her own mental health journey after her mother and brother passed away, she was diagnosed with PTSD and provided with a prescription for medication, she said herself she thought it was a bit strange that no therapy was offered, just a prescription. I wanted to use my voice and my experiences to talk openly about what I thought about the whole ‘mental illness’ narrative; I prepared for this radio recording for most the day, thought about how I was going to voice my opinion while being careful not to upset or invalidate anyone’s journey or experiences but low and behold the segment never aired: this didn’t shock me as this has happened before, however, I was annoyed that I couldn’t use my voice so I decided to re-record the segment on MY terms. I drafted my sister Michelle in to play the radio host which she was only delighted to do and we had a good chat, it was very similar to the one I done with the real radio host. I hope you enjoy and please feel free to share it.

Will has been advocating for reform and transformation of the mental health system for a long time, he is an international speaker and trainer, counsellor, writer and teacher. Will is recognised internationally as an innovator in the treatment and social response to psychosis. He himself was diagnosed with schizophrenia and talks about this and many other things on ‘Madness Radio’ which can be found on Spotify. Will has so much wisdom and speaks so articulately and I thoroughly enjoyed our chat

***** “Food as Medicine”***** What an incredibly inspiring woman who possesses a wealth of knowledge in all things diet and lifestyle related. I speak about my 10 year journey with acne and what caused it along with many other topics such as the menopause, which doesn't have to be something to fear! We can, instead, look forward to that transition in life. I am delighted to post this interview with Majella who gave me so much hope for the future and basically learnt that with a strong immune system we can power through just about anything! Majella O'Neill is a Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist and recently joined forces with her daughter Bláithín to open 'West Cork Wellness Clinic' based in Skibbereen, Cork. Majella draws on her experience as a mother, Registered Nurse, Nutritional Therapist, Fitness Instructor, Massage Therapist and Reflexologist to help people prevent illness and reach full potential of health and vitality through good food and a balanced lifestyle. Majella is really passionate and really knows her stuff! Give it a listen and a share and check out her website and socials here: https://www.westcorkwellnessclinic.ie/ email on info@westcorkwellnessclinic.ie https://www.facebook.com/westcorkwellnessclinic/ Instagram; westcorkwellnessclinic

** Why aren’t we looking at what other countries are doing to tackle ‘mental health’ problems and suicide numbers and learn from them?? ‘Open dialogue’ is being used in some parts of Ireland but we need to be implementing it mainstream like Jaakko and others have done in Finland. If you ring up feeling suicidal or experiencing severe emotional distress, a support network will come to your house and support you everyday until you feel better, not one that tells you to go to A&E Here is my interview with one of the developers of 'Open Dialogue' Professor Jaakko Seikkula. The need for revolutionary therapy emerged in Western Lapland, Finland, during the second half of the 20th century, when the region had one of the highest rates of schizophrenia in Europe. Nowadays this is no longer the case, and this change is due mainly to the method used to reverse this situation, 'Open Dialogue'. What is Open Dialogue? “Open Dialogue is a way of organising psychiatric services with the aim of helping the patient during a crisis with utmost urgency, working together with the family and other parts of their social network,” The power of dialogue became evident in the remarkable results when 85 % could return to full employment and over 80 % living without any psychotic experiences at five year follow up. This was reached by minimum use of anti-psychotic medication, in 2/3 of cases none. Jaakko has mentioned previously that “During the psychotic crisis the patient is more open to sharing his feelings” I really enjoyed chatting with Professor Seikkula and feel very honoured that he gave up some of his time do to an interview with AnuWay.

I really enjoyed interviewing Seán Óg Ó hAilpín today. We spoke about some of his accomplishments as a player for the Cork senior hurling and football teams and his autobiography (that can be bought on Amazon). We also spoke about emotional resilience, how he balances his emotional health and I was honoured to witness him ticking something off his bucket list! Fear uasal. Imreoir den chéad scoth Seán Óg's autobiography can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autobiography-Se%C3%A1n-%C3%93g-%C3%93-hAilp%C3%ADn/dp/0241955912

Here is my interview with the incredibly inspirational Dr. Lucy Johnstone, a clinical psychologist, trainer, speaker and co-author of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (along with many other written works). Lucy is a long standing critic of the bio medical model of Psychiatry. It was an absolute privilege to interview Lucy and bring her message to all you AnuWay listeners. The Power Threat Meaning Framework allowed me to see my emotional distress in an alternative, more humanistic way and I hope it brings you the comfort and understanding it has brought me. Enjoy the chat and as always please turn a blind eye to the technical issues ! You can follow Lucy on Twitter : @ClinpsychLucy The link to Lucy's book: https://www.pccs-books.co.uk/.../a-straight-talking... Main PTMF website: https://www.bps.org.uk/power-threat-meaning-framework Some more resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uWV5BMrhMk&t=148s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6VHV0kUn2E&t=2622s

Matt Ball is a Nurse Practitioner, Psychotherapist and founder of Humane Clinic and Just listening Community. Matt speaks internationally on humane approaches to working with a person in distress as an alternative to pathologizing, diagnosis led, mental health systems. Matt was awarded Australian Mental Health Nurse of the year in 2017 for his work providing alternatives and has developed the theory of Dissociachotic! I chat to Matt about different forms of emotional distress and question whether the bio medical model is helpful for people in those distressful situations. We cover perceptions of 'Mental Illness' and 'Psychosis' and what Matt is currently doing to break down barriers and stigma's.

'West Co. Sligo native, Brídín, carries on the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family. Brídín plays harp, flute, piano, and dances sean nós. Her musical talent emerged at a very early age. Over the years, she has achieved many accolades for her musical ability. Brídín has developed her own style influenced by her natural surroundings and rooted in her background in traditional Irish music.' Brídín also works as a funeral director and embalmer and has an unusual outlook on life and death, this will make for a good conversation! There's something very mystical and spiritual about Brídín and her music, that fits perfectly with the heart and core of AnuWay, 'Anu' being the Irish mythological goddess embodying the sea rivers and earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hS4gjsTinU

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