The Phobic Trust of New Zealand Inc - History

History - 1983/1988

History - 1990/1999

History - 1990/1999

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

(continued from 1988)

1990 - 1993 These years were spent not only supporting and treating sufferers and their families, but also lobbying to achieve a contract for clinical services from the then RHA. Many people helped with the lobbying, from consumers and families to the Board Members of the Phobic Trust.
1992 Marcia's long term goal for a therapeutic unit has always been shared by and endorsed by the Phobic Trust Board. Consequently acquiring the necessary land to establish such a unit was always considered a priority. 75 Morningside Drive came up for sale, consenquently the land was purchased from Mrs Adams family with this future unit firmly in mind.
1993 The Phobic Trust received a pilot clinical contract for service provision from the then RHA. This was instigated by the Honourable Jim Anderton and then the Prime Minister of the day, the Honourable Jenny Shipley. This contract enabled us to ensure stability of our multi-disciplinary team. At the, time we employed a psychiatrist and psychologist from America.
1994 A submission to Government's social services committee was delivered for their consideration to acknowledge and recognise anxiety; phobic and obsessive compulsive disorders/illnesses (petition no. 1991/3253).
1994 Marcia Read suffered a burnout and consenquently became ill with overwork and needed to take timeout to recover. Even though Marcia left the Phobic Trust for a nine month period she did not stop working. While organising her first conference Marcia continued to lobby Government to recognise Anxiety as a major unseen disability. Marcia also embarks on penning her first book the 'Silent Sufferers'.The Silent Sufferers is based on Marcia’s diaries and events over the past thirteen years from 1983. . 'Silent Sufferers' written by Marcia Read published through Deimos press. This book was written to educate the Phobic Trust's incumbent board and Government of the history of the Trust and why the need was seen.

Marcia's first book, "The Silent Sufferers"
- now out of print - only available in Libraries.

1995 Marcia Read, after a nine month absence from the Phobic Trust, was approached and specifically requested by the local Maori, former and current clients of the Trust to return to manage the Phobic Trust as Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

1996 In that time Marcia hosted the first international conference in New Zealand on Anxiety, Phobic and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders 'Powerlessness to Power'.

1996 Marcia was asked by consumers, specifically supported by Northern and local Maori, to return to the trust and ensure its stability. The incumbent board was in the process of selling the land and building. After this incident it became mandatory that 70% of board members must have experience, either personally or through family members of these disorders/illnesses. TV and Media became involved as did the consumers.

The Trust is Saved - a protest by the consumers and families.

1997 Early in the year, Marcia Read returned as Chief Executive Officer to stabilise the Trust and its Anxiety Disorders Clinic.

1997 Commenced compiling 'Philosophy' and pro

1997 'Screwed up' a handbook for anxiety sufferers written by Marcia Read and illustrated by Peter Bromhead was published.

1997 The Trust commenced its first research project in conjunction with the University of Auckland, titled 'Stress on families members suffering from OCD'. This was published worldwide.

1998 Due to the gracious and generous donation from the Ted and Mollie Carr Philanthropic Trust the Phobic Trust undertook an extension of premises. This included three offices, reception/foyer, waiting/group room and disability toilet. The refurbishment of goods and service of the building was donated by many companies. The late Sir Edmund Hillary, as Patron of the Trust, formally opened the addition to the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic'.

the new extension to the rear of the Clinic

1998 First published research 'Stress on Family members suffering from OCD'.

1999 Consolidating the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic'. youth arm. A specific youth programme was firmly embedded into the Phobic Trust service provision. Adolescent and children are treated by specialists in the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic'.

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