THE 3-MINUTE THERAPIST: JACQUIE JOHNSTON-LYNCH
Welcome to the new video segment of the Aftershock blog. My intention in launching the ‘3-Minute Therapist’ is to create a friendly, informal platform for people involved in military mental health and the trauma world more generally to share insights and perspectives, and perhaps forge valuable new connections.
I’m delighted to welcome as my first guest Jacquie Johnston-Lynch, head of service at Tom Harrison House in Liverpool, which she co-founded to support ex-forces recovering from alcohol or drug addictions. I first met Jacquie, a social worker and therapeutic coach, while researching Aftershock, and wrote about Tom Harrison House, which opened its doors in July last year, in this story for Vice. In March, the organisation partnered with Mersey Care NHS Trust and the Royal British Legion to win a £405,000 grant to jointly provide addiction services for veterans across the UK.
In her own words: “Everything is relational, it is where we grow, in relationship with self and others. True relational partnership will always create community and it is in communities where we get well, where we find new wisdom and where we stretch ourselves to dream and achieve.”
On September 30, Tom Harrison House is hosting a summit to explore new ways to support ex-forces with addictions. (See below for details).
AFTERSHOCK EVENTS IN OCTOBER:
AFTERSHOCK AT RICHMOND LIBRARY
I’m very pleased to be giving a talk on Aftershock at Richmond Library (not least because much of the book was written in another library in the borough.)
Mon 10 Oct 2016 7:00 – 8:00pm
Richmond Library Annexe, Quadrant Road, Richmond, TW9 1QL £3
SHELL SHOCK: FROM THE SOMME TO SYRIA
I’ll be joining the historian Taylor Downing (Breakdown) and Civilian Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry to the British Army Simon Wessely at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. Chaired by former army officer Allan Mallinson.
Thu 13 Oct 2016 4:45 – 5:45pm
The Sunday Times Garden Theatre £8
BEYOND SHELL SHOCK: MENTAL HEALTH AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR
I join Edgar Jones and Denise Poynter at the National Archives to explore the legacy of the British Army’s experience in the trenches. With display of archival material.
Fri 21 Oct 2016 1:30 – 5:00pm
The National Archives – TW9 4DU Free
AFTERSHOCK IN BELFAST
Presenting Aftershock at the Belfast International Arts Festival in a city with a history that echoes throughout the book, with Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy.
Sun 23 Oct 2016 6:00 – 7:00pm
Crescent Arts Centre £6 / £4
THE TOM HARRISON HOUSE SUMMIT:
