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Peer Support service

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JoeFreeman

JoeFreeman

Well-Known Member
Morning - hope you all had a good weekend.

Back in April last year I posted a thread about a peer to peer support project that we were looking at launching, and many of you kindly gave some feedback and suggestions.

We had some great comments which we're really grateful for, so I thought I'd pop by to let you know that the Peer Support project officially launches today.

We've got a news story on our site with a bit more information about how it works and how it can help people. We're rather excited about it, and hope it'll work really well.

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/News_Landing_Page/Diabetes-UK-launches-Peer-Support-service/

Ruth Wilson, who has been heading up the project here, also asked me to pass on her thanks for all your input back in April 🙂

You all provide each other with wonderful support and advice on here, but if you ever use this service, I'd love to hear how you get on.

Have a wonderful week!

Joe
 
Sounds really good for people who prefer to talk to a person on the phone or who might be unable or reluctant to use the interweb for support 🙂
 
I may very well give this a try, Alan. I'm getting nowhere with the CBT allotted to me as I very reluctantly went to the Dr for help with "being a bit down" in September. I have finally had 2 telephone appointments this month but she has said I suffer from anxiety - "you have diabetes, you just have to learn to live with it" (her words to me).

Of course I'm b****y ANXIOUS because my diabetes is still playing about and I never know these days when I'm going to go hypo quickly. She's just not listening to me but has given me "exercises" to do regarding my "anxiety" and I'm very disappointed with her "support". 😱
 
Vince - has this person been trained to tell the difference between 'Diabetes-specific Distress' and 'other' distress? or how to deal with it?

If not (and I know what I think the answer is LOL) - then what is the point in seeing them? - unless of course you have both D-SD and 'other' in which case they can possibly help you with the 'other'. However, all their psych/counselling training was utterly c**p anyway if that's the kind of comment they make to anyone who has a chronic disease.

I'd want to complain officially if I were you. {{{Hugs}}}
 
I was just thinking the same as Trophywench. What qualifications does this person have? It sounds to me as if she was reading from a script or a score card. If one of my counsellors did that with a client I'd have their head and there'd be three others behind me waiting for their turn. Did you have a chance to give feedback on your sessions? Or, failing that could you write to the facility and tell them how badly let down you are at being treated so dismissively? At the very least you should have a frank discussion with your doctor about the treatment you received.
 
Body language plays an important part in a counsellor's assessment and I have little faith in a telephone conversation being of any help to anyone. Sounds as though your surgery has got some cheap counselling from somewhere. I know there was talk of new regulations for counsellors coming into force in 2012.

The thing with the DUK support service is that it is a bit like here but over the telephone as opposed to the internet. The thing in it's favour is that you are talking to a diabetic. If the forum was not here then maybe I would use it.
 
cherrypie said:
Body language plays an important part in a counsellor's assessment and I have little faith in a telephone conversation being of any help to anyone. Sounds as though your surgery has got some cheap counselling from somewhere. I know there was talk of new regulations for counsellors coming into force in 2012.
Click to expand...

That's right, all counsellor's will have be accredited by an recognised body such as COSCA (Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies) up here. If you aren't, you can't call yourself a counsellor.
 
I asked my lovely Dr for help as I was "a little bit down" because I couldn't come to terms with the Diabetes and all it entails. He offered me pills and I said no then he said I could have CBT at our surgery but when it came to it I was only offered the chance of an half hour talk at a surgery about 20 miles from here. I don't drive, the bus service there is not great (couldn't trust it TBH) and I didn't want OH or anyone else driving me to Therapy (they call it not counselling - when my first husband died I eventually went for counselling and was greatly helped then but that was in Herts not down here).

So she offered me telephone chats - so it really isn't my Dr's fault. I am talking to her again tomorrow and will have a "frank exchange" and will then end it I think because the way I'm feeling about it isn't going to give me positive reactions. I feel such a wimp 😱 but will have to back off, it really did take a lot to even ASK for help.
 
One thing you might try is an organisation like mine, although we deal mainly with addictions, there are others up here who deal with other issues and all are free to the client. There may something similar in your area, CAB might know. I really feel you should keep trying if you can, you've come this far and so obviously need some extra support that it seems a shame to give up now you've got the momentum. I do realise how hard it is, I was there not so long ago and was lucky eventually to get real help that made such a massive difference. Maybe the Peer Support initiative will be a good starting point, but face-to-face would be so much better.
 
vince13 said:
I asked my lovely Dr for help as I was "a little bit down" because I couldn't come to terms with the Diabetes and all it entails. He offered me pills and I said no then he said I could have CBT at our surgery but when it came to it I was only offered the chance of an half hour talk at a surgery about 20 miles from here. I don't drive, the bus service there is not great (couldn't trust it TBH) and I didn't want OH or anyone else driving me to Therapy (they call it not counselling - when my first husband died I eventually went for counselling and was greatly helped then but that was in Herts not down here).

So she offered me telephone chats - so it really isn't my Dr's fault. I am talking to her again tomorrow and will have a "frank exchange" and will then end it I think because the way I'm feeling about it isn't going to give me positive reactions. I feel such a wimp 😱 but will have to back off, it really did take a lot to even ASK for help.
Click to expand...

I would certainly give the peer support a try Faith. Even if they can't tell you anything new, it may help to tell them your fears and issues and for them to be able to understand and empathise.

Being listened to is half the battle. Then you may feel strong enough to go back to your GP and ask for referral to a proper service.

We're always here for anyone who needs to unload, even if we can't say or do anything practical to help. 🙂

Rob
 
Thank you to those who have responded to me. You are all a great support in any event but I will try to get a counsellor with a more empathetic ear: otherwise I'll just have to give myself a good talking to and get on with it - it's not like I haven't come up from the depths before so I know I can !
 
Hi Vince,

You are in no way a wimp hun, in fact very brave to post here and glad you have too.

Is there any chance you can look for Non Statutory sector for help in your area?

sending a soothing hug your way and hope things get better soon
 
Many thanks for your input Sazzeroo and Alan. I know I can always turn to certain people on here by pm but it's now time to get on with it myself I think (Saz - your idea I will follow-up, thank you).
 
That's a pity - I guess not driving and having little public transport makes it hard.

It might be an idea to keep an eye on that site incase anything comes up.

I don't know how you feel about self help CBT but you could try this site which some GPs recommend

http://www.llttf.com
 
Hi Joe,
Thanks sounds like a invaluble service,I am certainly in the category of being able to talk better over the phone about problems then face to face.
 
Thank you everyone - I am going to end this conversation about myself now as I am feeling rather 😱 about having written so openly. However, I am really feeling good about moving on with so many helpful suggestions.
 
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