The importance of well-being

Mental health has been at the forefront of society’s mind for quite a while now, particularly during these difficult times when the world is gripped by pandemic.

However, once upon a time mental health remained in the shadows, with patients ‘institutionalised’ in a manner not far removed from some of the scenes depicted in the classic 1970s movie ‘One Flew Over The Cukoo’s Nest.

One man who has played a key role in the development of modern mental health services locally is Martin Cartin.

Martin, 55, who lives in Tattyreagh, Omagh recently retired from his role as Head of Service and Lead Nurse for Adult Mental Health Services across the Western
Trust area after 37 years of dedication.

Martin worked at Grangewood, Gransha Park site in Derry and Strathdene House, Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital in Omagh as a mental health nurse manager.

He started his career as a mental health nurse in September 1983, and has been involved in some massive changes to services within that field.

“Back then, mental health services were basic, but functional,” said Martin.

“People didn’t really think about the impact of their mental or emotional health.

“We had large psychiatric hospitals where hundreds of people were basically locked up.

“Individuals became institutionalised and did not leave the hospital grounds, because that was the traditional mental health care model.

“However, from the 1980s and into the 1990s, things started to really change with new medication, new therapies and alternative models for psychiatric and mental health care becoming available.

“Increasingly, there was more research done into the origins of mental illness such as depression or anxiety.”

During his career, Martin worked with those who were struggling with addiction, and used new methods of therapy to help patients such as counselling and therapy.

He continued, “We started to change how we worked – I worked within addictions, primarily alcohol, and we began to develop a programme for alcohol addictions.

“Once we gave people space and time to talk about their difficulties, they were able to change and find their lives more manageable.

“We talked about how the patient felt, behaved, thought and how they can change their attitude to life and their emotional state of mind.

“Today, these things have become standard within modern mental health services.”

In 1989, Martin completed his general nursing, but returned to mental health services shortly afterwards and was on hand to help a lot of people who had been impacted by The Troubles, especially after the Omagh bomb.

He continued, “There was a lot of Troubles related issues coming to the fore and also a combination of alcohol, drugs and trauma related difficulties.

“After the Omagh bomb we found there was a huge investment in physiological therapy services.

“The impact and the trauma that tragic incident caused to so many hundreds of people, and the need for talking therapy, really put services on the map, and there was a huge investment by the Western Trust.”

For over 20 years, Martin continued to work with adults who had experienced trauma as children, and he credits the Western Trust for given him that opportunity.

“I was lucky that I came in at a time where I was encouraged to do training, ask questions and develop alternative models regarding mental health care.

“Myself and my colleagues became leaders within that, and we were able to put our stamp on modern day mental health care within the Western Trust.

“I only played a small part of it – dozens of us were working and discovering new things.

“I was surrounded by people who wanted to change the face of mental health care.

“Within the Western Trust, we were given the opportunity to train and from 2004 to 2006, I became a cognitive behaviour therapist.

“We looked at rehabilitation, and treating people out of hospital.

“We reduced the number of beds within the hospital, and moved facilities out into the community such as outreach services and independent living,” said Martin.

The stigma attached to mental health has decreased dramatically since Mr Cartin first took up his role, and he welcomes this shift in society.

“Internationally, the whole picture of mental heath care has changed throughout the world and new models of care have evolved,” he said.

“People now have the confidence and self esteem to talk about mental and emotional difficulties that they never spoke about before.

“In the past, people kept secrets and never spoke about their trauma, but now there are so many platforms that encourage individuals to speak out and to seek help.

“Society is demanding more mental health care now because of the greater pressures out there for our young people, such as social media.

“Social media can be a double-edged sword but I would like to think that it is more of a help than a hindrance,” said Martin.

During his long-standing career, Martin helped thousands of people cope with various different challenges, and he said there is huge job satisfaction in the “very challenging career.”
Covid-19 has presented a brand new set of demands as the pandemic has been causing increased worry and anxiety for many people.

Martin continued, “Covid has been a unique challenge over the last year for patients, staff and services.

“It is scary for all of us because we are not sure what we are dealing with and it adds pressure, anxieties and worries.

“Anxiety is a normal response and emotion, but when that worry becomes too excessive that is when we need help and support.

“More people are turning to mental health services for support and guidance, and this is the kind of thing we are becoming increasingly overwhelmed by.

“We must be mindful of healthcare staff too.

“They have families, children and elderly family members, so not only do they have to deal with Covid and the impact of the pressures, they have to be mindful of the impact on their families.”

“Traditional support services such as community and voluntary sector help were not available and people increasingly looked to formal mental health services for help and support which added pressure to the Western Trust area.

“In recent months, these community-based services have started back up again but we are now facing a dire situation where it looks like a second wave of Covid is going to hit us and that will put increased pressure onto healthcare services,” said Martin.

Despite retiring from his role, Martin is not yet ready to stop helping people cope with their struggles, and he now plans to take a short break before returning to work as a small practice.

“Mental health services have improved dramatically since I started and it is not finished yet.

“At 55, I don’t feel old enough to retire so I will continue with a small clinical practice and continue to do what I have done throughout my career.

“This is something I thoroughly enjoy and something I believe I am good at,” he concluded.