Treat yourself to mental health

Acupuncture, flower power, analysis of tummy sounds just how big a contribution can complementary therapy make to mental-health treatment?

Sophie Petit-Zeman reports

FRANCESCA de Majo-Burrows used to be a sceptic, but now she believes in the power of flowers. A year ago, Francesca, who suffers from severe agoraphobia and social phobia, came across Bach flower remedies at the Big Alternative, an annual conference organised by the Mental Health Foundation. (This is part of its Lottery-funded Strategies for Living, an extensive programme of research into what people with mental-health problems want in the way of care and support.) The treatment, prescribed for her by therapist Celeste Waldo, has worked, and now Francesca in turn is working to promote understanding of the value of alternative therapies within south- west London and St George s Mental Health Trust.

And that s what the Big Alternative is all about. As delegate Mark Roberts from Greater London Action on Disability (Glad), an umbrella group for and staffed by physically or mentally disabled people, explains: "So many people want these treatments. We want to take control of our lives, rather than having things done to us. We re pushing to get structures into place to help people access complementary therapy."

Glad s work reflects the abiding frustration of many: such treatments don't come cheap and those who most need them are often least able to afford them.

The current climate of "evidence- based medicine" requires that treatments are tested rigorously before those that can be shown to work are offered on the NHS.

As Alison Faulkner, Strategies for Living programme manager and a driving force behind the Big Alternative, explains:"Mental Health Foundation research shows that people find complementary therapies helpful and want greater access to them.

However, more good-quality research is needed if there is t be progress towards an integrated and holistic mental-health service that provides real choice for service users."

The results of two such research projects were unveiled at the conference.

Acupuncture for people with long-term mental-health problems has been highly beneficial: all participants reported improved mental health. Two came off antidepressants, one after six years, and several participants continued to use the service at their own expense after the trial ended. An evaluation of massage reported that it was as good to give as to receive the treatment.

In the interests of research, I tried several of the treatments on offer, starting with an Indian head massage. According to Ali McInroy, who learned the technique at her local college, it s based largely on stimulating acupuncture points in the head, face, neck and upper back, and "it can help with all kinds of problems, from tinnitus to insomnia." And London commuting blues, I can confirm.

Next, I saw the tranquil Celeste Waldo for a Bach flower-therapy session.

The cynical scientist in me ran into a bit of trouble here: Bach essences are made by floating flowers in water, allowing "the individual healing ability inherent in each flower to be transferred into pure spa water." Hmm. The essences are designed to restore balance, says Celeste. I m prepared to try them and see.

After that, a "biodynamic massage." Developed by Norwegian psychologist and physiotherapist Gerda Boyesen, it is based on her interest in "intestinal sounds during psychotherapy sessions, particularly at moments of insight or emotional release." She works on psychological ailments by massaging areas where tension is located.

My therapist, Gemma Ireland, used an electronic stethoscope to listen to my insides. My stomach was well behaved, silent, and I submitted to the pleasure of massage, until Gemma reached my head. She said I felt tense there, and suddenly my tummy struck up a veritable symphony. It was disconcerting, to say the least.

Next door, Debbie Mayes was enjoying a shiatsu massage. Debbie, a research associate at the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, another London-based organisation, has depression.

Her GP suggested that, alongside conventional medication, she try homeopathy to help her cope with mood swings. "My GP was great. He said he wanted to give me more support through complementary therapies. In the past I d been barred by the price, but I was unemployed so I got homeopathic treatment free on the NHS." Six months down the line, Debbie is thriving.

"For now, I m taking antidepressants and using homeopathy. I feel so much better. Using mainstream and alternative treatments together is realistic and holistic."

Mental Health Foundation: 020 7535 7400; www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health: 020 7403 8790; www.sainsburycentre.org.uk.

Biodynamic massage: www.biodynamicpsychotherapy.com.

Celeste Waldo: 020 7485 4502.

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