A Short History of The Phobic Trust of New Zealand Inc.

Marcia Read, QSO, founder of The Phobic Trust of New Zealand
(Photo taken from "Like Minds, Like Mine - Know Me Before you Judge Me")

The Phobic Trust is a result of Marcia Read gathering together a group of professional friends who were aware of the widespread nature of Phobic and Anxiety disorders co-morbid with Depression. They spent many hours discussing the lack of acknowledgement and services for the sufferers and families of the disorders/disabilities. Many people had suffered silently from this disorder, yet continued with their day to day life. Many people resorted to alcohol and substance abuse and many were hospitalised and treated, from sheer ignorance, with inappropriate medications. Shock treatment was also used, and some sufferers tragically took their own lives. All of them too ashamed and embarrassed to talk about their disability.

A vision for the future was slowly being conceptualised.

• 1983 (February 5) An advertisement was placed in the New Zealand Herald and other newspapers to see if there were people out in the community suffering from phobias and fears.

• 1983 Marcia Read, from her home in Epsom, opened the original 24hr Phobic Phoneline 0800 14 ANXIETY (0800 14 269 4389). She spent evenings and weekends answering many hundreds of phone calls and letters. This period of time endorsed the need for a specialist trust to bring awareness and assistance to the people and their families who suffered, and to bring attention to the severity of the phobic disorders. Therefore the Phobic Trust of New Zealand Inc Mission Statement was conceptualised and written.

• 1983 The Phobic Trust founding document was written by our solicitor (Steve Barter LLB), this deed was signed by Marcia Read QSO and Ken Thomson QSM of Dargaville.

  
  First Brochure written in 1984

   

• 1984 (November 4th) the Trust held its first fundraising function, a jazz evening, to raise awareness of the anxiety disorders. The function was honored by the presence of Lady Beattie, Sir Edmund Hillary and Lady Hillary. The late Professor Larry Evans gave the first speech on the unknown prevalence of anxiety disorders. Graham Mourie acted as MC.

  The Late Sir Edmund Hillary	MC Graham Mourie	Light Entertainment!

   

• 1984 Marcia was donated a house in Garfield Street, Parnell to trial a temporary clinic, the intention being to prove the need for a Charitable Trust dedicated to the severe anxiety and Phobic Disorders. The donor wanted to remain anonymous, however we are eternally grateful for this acknowledgement and support. The late Dr Fraser McDonald seconded Dr Mark Alami, psychiatrist, to work with Marcia Read. This clinic proved the need for a specialist clinical team and support services.

• 1985 Decision made by owner to sell Parnell Clinic.

• 1985 Nine months later, by the time the house had been sold, the need for a specialist Trust had been firmly reinforced. This first ‘Anxiety Disorders Clinic’ had created hope and changed the lives of many hundreds of people and their families. The Trust needed a permanent home and headquarters for the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic'. A suitable building was then looked for to establish a permanent 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic' and Trust headquarters.

• 1985 Marcia, whilst continuing to work to sustain herself, ran the 24hr Phoneline, also diverted her energy to look for a suitable location to house an 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic'.

• 1985 Marcia, while having an intimate knowledge of those who suffer from anxiety and phobic related disorders, was highly cognisant of the special needs of those that would be attending the future clinic. With all this in mind she finally located a piece of land that provided central access from the main motorways and was close to a main shopping centre. This would be crucial in relation to the clinical treatment regime, which would require safe avenues for exposure therapy. Overall, however, Marcia's visionary goal was to secure a location that would in the future accommodate the ability to build a 22 bed therapeutic unit. This unit was to be accessible nationally for all individuals and their families who live with severe anxiety or phobic disorders who required treatment and care. A safe haven to be understood.

• 1986 A one time colleague of Marcia's (Terry Mickkleson) donated a hundred-year-old villa, and Marcia purchased the first section of land at 77 Morningside Drive to shift the house onto and establish a future clinic.

         
100 yr old Villa                               Kitchen                                 Hall

The Phobic Trust of New Zealand Inc.  (Photo taken in 1988)

• 1986-87 The villa was eventually re-sited and refurbished and established as a clinic for the sufferers and families of the Anxiety Disorders and their co-morbid states. The refurbishing was commenced initially by Marcia Read who, as a former farmers wife, could turn her hand to most things. As understanding of Marcia's endeavours grew, the community responded to her tenacity. Every weekend people came to offer their support and work on the project.

• 1987 Marcia continued to forge local and national awareness while building key relationships within her own community. This witnessed the majority of the goods and services for the new clinic being donated for free.

• 1987-88 Part of the clinic was in use, various professional people gave their time willingly and voluntarily to help with the numerous clients. Dr Peter McGeorge, Dr Chris Waring, Dr Mark Alami and Dr Bob Large, featured among the first clinical volunteers. Dr Murray Patton assisted us with education of the crisis line.

• 1988 (September) The late Sir Robert Muldoon past Patron of the Trust formally opened the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic' as the 'Ludbrook Clinic' in respect for one of the first supporters of the Trust. The name of the Trust's first clinic was changed to the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic' in 1994 by the incumbant Board.

  
  The Late Sir Robert Muldoon & Marcia Read

• 1988 The ASB Charitable Trust Chairman, Judith Bassett, and various members of her board met with Marcia. They donated $100,000 for salaries and overheads, which meant we could employ the start of our multi-disciplinary team.

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