Gudrun Frerichs, PhD

Support 4 The Survivor Summit

 We, SOSA NZ – Survivors of Sexual Abuse New Zealand – are organising the first national summit for survivors of sexual abuse. The need arose to bring survivors together for networking, inspiration, and alternative recovery pathways when 9 months ago our government changed the conditions under which survivors were able to receive counselling leaving 95% of survivors unable to access professional help.

While on one hand we are intensively engaged in political action to reverse the devastating new directives – we have achieved that an independent review will examine the new policies – many survivors have been suffering for the last 9 months. Our summit will offer inspirational speakers, workshops, information about free and/or low cost services available, and lots of fun and networking. This is a non profit event and we all work on volunteer basis.

I am asking you today for your support. Please, donate to our cause if you can on our website http://www.sosanz.com.  We would also appreciate if you could pass on the information about the summit to your networks and contacts.

Thanks

Gudrun Frerichs, PhD

Client Survey About the New ACC Pathway

Almost three weeks have past since ACC has implemented the new clinical pathway and the concerns are already mounting. Inspite of a widespread protest by survivors, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, doctors, and social workers ACC has, supported by the Minister for ACC, Nick Smith, been enabled to ignore the concerns and push through with their new pathway. Upon demand from the Minister, this new pathway will be reviewed by ACC in 6 months time.

To make sure that the review will reflect actual data and not wishful thinking, we have designed a client survey about the impact on the new pathway for survivors. The survey is suited for existing, returning, and new clients. Make your voice count by taking a few moments to fill out the online survey. Please, forward the link to the survey or to this blog post to other survivors. Here is the link:

Mental Health Diagnosis Causes Poor Medical Care

A recent research has caught my attention, because it reflects experiences that I have made in my clinical practice many, many times about the discrimination clients experience when they need medical care.  The University of Leister was involved in a research programme that investigated the quality of care. They found out that

The study by a team of researchers led by Dr Alex Mitchell from the University of Leicester Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, warns that medical care delivered across most branches of medicine to those with a mental health or substance abuse diagnosis is of inferior quality to the usual standard of care. This important systematic review showed widespread inequalities of care in those with mental health problems.

If this is your experience as well, how about sending a note/email/letter to your health ombudsman or even Minister of Health with the link of this research attached?
People With Mental Health Problems Receive Inadequate Medical Care, Study Suggests

Staying in Love

Having a successful relationship is a discipline and not just a matter of finding the 'right partner'. It depends on working every day on relating well to your partner and being mindful of each others' needs and actions.

You are now able to put your hands on my book “STAYING IN LOVE” that will give you the tools to achieve just that. It is a practical, hands-on book that gives you step by step techniques to improve your relationships. The 10 steps are jam-packed with information and exercises that help you get your struggling relationships back on track.

Staying In Love

10 Steps to Success...

By Dr. Gudrun Frerichs

Book Preview

Sexual Abuse Blog Carnival: November Edition Is Published

The November Edition of the Sexual Abuse Blog Carnival is published now. You will find many interesting posts that explore the difficult issue of parenting. To read more got to the November Edition.