Pioneering response to self-harm alarm
We are set to host one of the most important events on women’s health this year – as medics gather to halt self-harm amongst endo patients.
Affecting one in ten women, the gynaecological blight leads to alarming lethargy and chronic physical pain – stretching as far as the lungs and the brain.
But it is not just the body that suffers.
New figures show that endo patients are at 42% higher risk of hurting themselves, including by overdose or suicide.
All of which has created a clamour to organise a discussion on the alarming issue.
“For the past few months we have organised platforms for the forgotten generation of endo sufferers, to talk about managing pelvic pain and whether they can conceive” said our founder, Dr Anita Sharma. “But time and again it is the mental health aspect that the women want to talk about. There is no greater cry for help than self-harm. We need to listen and act, now.”
The event will discuss:
• How to spot someone is self-harming
• The reasons why they do it
• Busting myths around hurting yourself and,
• What family doctors can do to help prevent it
Dr Sharma will be joined on the podium by Manchester University researcher Harriet Cant who is currently developing tools for GPs to help them treat self-harm.
Organised to tie-in with World Mental Health Day, past seminars have attracted online audiences from as far afield as India and the United States of America.
“This clearly shows the huge need to talk about issues around endometriosis” continued Dr Sharma, “That it should take a small charity to offer potentially life-changing support is a real sign that this just hasn’t happened before; and the issue isn’t taken seriously enough by decision-makers or medics.
That said, I am immensely proud of the volunteers in our borough who have given of their time and money to offer worldwide hope. They will be doing so again soon – and I invite you to join them.”
The Endometriosis, Mental Health and Self-Harm event takes place, at:
Rochdale Golf Club
Edenfield Road
Norden
OL11 5YR
On…
Monday 20 October
7pm – 8 30pm
For further details of events, visit our UPCOMING EVENTSpage.
Blog logs how serious endo can become
“I have been far too close to death these last few weeks.”
That’s the heartbreaking revelation from our beloved ambassador Lucy Bowker as she bravely battles thoracic endometriosis.
She relates how hospital stays have now become the norm and the deep concerns she has for her future, due to damage sustained to her lungs.
The blog is not for the faint-hearted; but it illustrates exactly why our charity is trying to raise awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment of #endometriosis.
Read Lucy’s words at BLOGS
Our founder Dr Sharma’s response to the blog will be published here, shortly.
A NICE response
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Read our founder Dr Anita Sharma’s reply to Lucy Bowker’s recent blog on the damage done to her lungs by endometriosis – go to BLOGS.
Lucy’s feelings and fears for the future moved so many of you.
And Dr Anita shares both the heartache and justified anger around the lack of Endo awareness – especially among her colleagues in the medical profession.
But there is some light at the end of the tunnel, as the good doctor reveals, “With the newly published NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), I hope that Primary Care (our GPs and walk-in centres) will have a better knowledge of endometriosis and that when women complain of painful periods, it’s not just brushed under the carpet.”
Read both blogs, and why not accept Dr Sharma’s challenge to join her charity and help people like Lucy and her family.
Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Donate
We are registered with The Charity Commission. Our charity number is 1212676.
You can do your bit to research a cure to endo and support the one-in-ten women with the condition by going to our DONATE page.