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  • Done and Dusted

      20 April 2015
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    To all the people who supported my efforts to raise funds for the trip to New York, whether you simply shared the page or liked my posts or encouraged me on or made a donation - THANK YOU.

    I still can't quite believe you were all so wonderful or that it actually really happened. The presentation was a hit and I'm pleased to report that room 105 at the Cooper Foundation Building was almost full on Friday the 20th of March at 4:45 PM. We had an attentive crowd of about 25 people from Australia, the USA, Sweden, Korea, Columbia and Norway. Here's a picture of the presentation you made possible. Community is an amazing thing. Epic gratitude to each of you.

    If anyone would like a copy of the slides, and I hope you do, email mbar114@aucklanduni.ac.nz and I'll be happy to oblige. Alternatively, you can download slides from Research Gate: www.researchgate.net/publication/275282143_Taking_Neuroleptics_The_Experiences_of_Antipsychotic_Medication_Study

    Thank you again for your support.

    Miriam

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  • The Trip is ALL GO!

      7 January 2015
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    I received one of the best Christmas presents ever in 2014 - an email from ISPS NZ awarding me a travel grant to help me take TEAMS to the 19th ISPS International Congress. I am filled with gratitude to the ISPS NZ committee for their support. This means the trip is happening and it is happening without hardship. Thank you, ISPS NZ!

    The $2000 awarded from ISPS NZ will help to cover accommodation and living expenses for the duration of The Congress. Together with the $1490 donated via Give a Little since the end of November, I have now more than met my third goal of $3000 needed to get there, sleep somewhere safe and feed myself while I'm there.

    The planets aligned at the end of 2014 and delivered me some paid summer work facilitating poetry workshops, which combined with our personal savings and the help of our most wonderful family, means that I am also able to bring my husband with me and I do not have to travel alone, to my great relief.

    I have registered for the conference and I am in progress with booking our flights.

    Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to support my mission to share these results, and to everyone who has helped to spread the word about the cause. What an amazing community we have. I am truly moved.

    When I'm standing up to start my presentation, and my hands start shaking, I am going to picture all of you standing behind me. It'll give me a bit of extra steel in my spine.

    I am going to leave this Give a Little page open. These results still need to keep traveling and any further donations made from here on out, will enable them to do that.

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  • Thanks peeps!

      6 December 2014
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    An epic thank you to the 14 people who have collectively donated $821 in the last 7 days. I'm especially grateful for all your messages of support and encouragement, here and on social media.

    We are nearly 1/5th of the way to the overall goal and super close to reaching my first goal of $1000 raised. When I reach my first goal, I am buying my flights and then I'll be locked into going. There won't be any turning back after that. 99 days to go.

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  • TEAMS Fundraising Goals

      6 December 2014
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    I have a small research budget from the University of Auckland to get me started. This is enough to pay for the conference fees and most of my airfares.

    When I have raised $1000 I will be able to be purchase my flights and make the trip happen on a shoestring. I don't mind surviving on toast and sleeping on couches. Being a poet, there's a poets' network I can call on if needed.

    When I have raised $3000 I will be able to fly there, sleep somewhere AND eat while I am there.

    When I have raised $5000 I do not have to go alone. This feels important to me for safety and wellbeing. Presenting at an international conference for the first time is going to be a big deal for my nerves and in an ideal world I'd have some support with me. I want to do a good job! Travelling to a big international city is a big deal for me too - I'm a small-town Kaitaia girl at heart. If able, my husband, the inspiration for this research will attend with me.

    Any funds raised that are not needed to make the trip possible will be used to share the results in NZ and further afield in the coming months. I have already presented preliminary results at two NZ conferences and one professional group. But that's just the start of the journey to get these results widely known.

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  • Why THIS Conference is So Important

      29 November 2014
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    The 19th ISPS International Congress in New York City, 2015 is described as "the world's biggest and most important biennial international conference on the psychological and psychosocial approaches to psychosis." The keynote speakers include Dr Aaron Beck, the founder of Cognitive Therapy and Dr Jeffrey Leiberman, the president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) along with numerous other leaders in the field, including people with lived experience and family members from around the world.

    TEAMS has important information for professionals working with people who take antipsychotic medication, people who take them and their family members. Even though the study participants are New Zealanders, their experiences with antipsychotic medications are relevant across the world.

    The 19th International ISPS Congress offers an extraordinary opportunity to get these results in front of some of the biggest leaders in the mental-health field. The next chance won't come around until 2017. Please help me make it happen.

    Find out more by visiting the conference website at... www.isps2015nyc.org/speakers

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  • Find Out More About The Study Results

      29 November 2014
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    [ABSTRACT]

    Taking Neuroleptics: The Experiences of Antipsychotic Medication Study (TEAMS)

    Miriam Larsen-Barr School of Psychology, The University of Auckland

    Aims: This study explores how people in New Zealand experience Antipsychotic Medications (AMs), use psychosocial strategies and, where relevant, manage discontinuation.

    Methods: An anonymous, semi-quantitative survey was delivered online to New Zealand adults who have ever taken oral AMs for over 3 months, for any reason.

    Results: Participants (n=150) reported taking AMs for psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and autism spectrum disorder. Half of this group described a primarily negative first prescription experience. Other treatment options were rarely offered at first prescription but were nevertheless used by many; few reported being well-informed of the potential benefits and risks. Descriptions of taking AMs ranged from "life-saver" and "useful tool" to "mixed bag" and "hell". The majority experienced both benefits and disadvantages. Most had contemplated stopping AMs, the majority of whom reported at least one attempt, with variable preparations, methods and outcomes described. Of those who sought medical advice regarding discontinuation, most were told not to proceed and did so regardless.

    Conclusions: AMs can be experienced as crucial lifesavers, useful tools with drawbacks and/or destructive forces to endure or escape. Multiple psychosocial strategies are described as helpful additions or alternatives. Attempted discontinuation appears common, yet risky and poorly supported but still achievable for some. Results suggest a need for improved supports and greater choice for people who would prefer not to take AMs long-term.

    _ _ _

    This study is part of a doctorate research project at The University of Auckland.

    Visit www.teamstudy.co.nz to read about ethics approval and who else is involved. TEAMS would not have been possible without the support of my supervisors at the University of Auckland.

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