A Quilt Can Do More Than Keep You Warm
Roslyn West, RN, RM, CHN, B App Sc. (Nsg)
Co-ordinator - Parenting Education, Community Health Nursing, Bentley Health Service, Mill St. Bentley WA 6102
Kathy Bruton, RN, RMHN
GP Liaison Nurse, Mental Health Services, Bentley Health Service, Mill St, Bentley WA 6102
Initially, making a quilt as part of a PND therapy group provided us with a transition activity - an activity that signals the end of the first part of the session and prepares for the second. We also hoped that it would encourage group cohesiveness. What was achieved was far beyond our expectations.
The PND group runs for two hours a week over eight weeks. Women attending suffer moderate to severe depression. The transition activity has ten to fifteen minutes allocated between the information session and a relaxation session.
The idea of creating a quilt is initially quite daunting to the women, many declaring that they can't sew or that they will never be able to make THAT! At the end of eight weeks not only do they have a quilt that is proudly displayed in the community house but they have gained skills that will help in their recovery process.
- We have observed and the women have stated in their evaluations that the quilt has:
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Increased self-nurturing and relaxation activities at home
- Demonstrated the value of goal setting - small achievable tasks
- Taught a new relaxation skill
- By sewing for 10-15 minutes before bed, improved sleep patterns
- Decreased feelings of worthlessness
- Increased the sense of well-being and health
- Encouraged group cohesiveness - often difficult with depressed clients
The quilts are very carefully chosen. Each quilt must be able to be finished in seven weeks. Each woman must be able to complete her patch.
Varying levels of ability (and depression) must be taken into account and the end product must be something that the women will be proud of.
"Small successes accumulate and thereby contribute to the 'feel good factor' about ourselves. Internal transformations occur perhaps neurologically and chemically as well as psychologically. Just as we know that running and laughter create a sense of well-being, so does activity." (Cracknell 1995)
Reference
Cracknell E. A small achievable task. British Journal of Occupational Therapy.
August 1995, 58(8), p343-344.
