All posts by actionmentalhealth

Connecting while social distancing – the new way we roll at AMH New Horizons

People all over the world are adjusting to new methods of working, connecting, and filling their day with activities to keep up their spirits during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

Here at Action Mental Health we have also been adapting to new ways of supporting and promoting positive mental health among our clients, during these strange times.

And as we enter the next phase of the lockdown staff at New Horizons Downpatrick have been busy, in their home working environments, preparing a variety of activities to keep clients engaged and entertained.

Joanne Stroud, Service Manager at New Horizons Downpatrick said, that thanks to modern technology, clients haven’t missed out on much since the lockdown restricted our movements.

 “We have been running sessions via zoom. We’ve had brunch together, music, creative writing, mindfulness and quizzes.

“We are also supporting clients in further education, helping with theory sessions for clients currently registered for Health and Social Care courses, as well as our popular horticulture classes,” she said.

Joanne added that a new timetable, introducing more of the accredited OCN training, including Stress Management and motivational classes, will also soon be on offer to clients.

“It has been all go, and we welcome all clients to join in on the fun.  Outside of working hours and mindful of all the current restrictions, we are cycling, walking, baking and trying to keep a structure to clients’ days as far as possible.

“This is a good time to connect with nature and to keep active, enjoying the great outdoors all the while. We have also encouraged clients to fill their indoor time with activities like baking and reading, but we are also continuing to find ways to reach out to people who aren’t so keen on zoom.

“But still, we still can’t wait to see everyone face to face again!” she said.

New Horizons activities are operated through the “Working it Out” project, which is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy and the five NI Health & Social Care Trusts.

A new Mental Health Champion to be appointed!

The Minister’s full statement


Action Mental Health warmly welcome the announcement of plans to appoint a Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland.

David Babington, Chief Executive commented ‘This is something that Action Mental Health and our partners in the Together For You partnership have long campaigned for. We all know the very specific challenges that Northern Ireland faces in relation to rates of mental illness and suicide.

It is our hope that the new Mental Health Champion can work across Government and the statutory agencies and alongside the community and voluntary sector to ensure we have a joined up approach to tackling these issues and really start to ensure parity for mental health in Northern Ireland.

The challenges caused by the current Covid-19 pandemic only serve to remind us of the need for urgent action, the first task for our new Mental Health champion must be to secure a fully funded and properly resourced mental health strategy for Northern Ireland, one that recognises and addresses all the challenges we face including those arising from Covid-19.’


Action Mental Health have been campaigning for many years for a Mental Health Champion – you can find links below, which highlight the journey to the Health Minister’s announcement.

Cycle your way through Covid-19

Lynne Troughton Trainee Counsellor and Personal Trainer. Cycle your way through Covid 19 help peddle the stress away

I personally enjoy exercise, cycling being one way to help with my mental wellbeing. Exercise isn’t only good for your physical health but it is also good for your mental health.

Health Benefits

Relieves stress
Reduces depression and anxiety
Boost self esteem
Boost energy
Promotes better sleep
Improves mood
Mindfulness
Increases stamina, strength and aerobic fitness
increased cardiovascular fitness
Improves joint mobility
Increased muscle strength and flexibility
Improves posture
Decreases body fat levels
Fun and a low-impact form of exercise for all ages.

Self Care – Mindfulness Tool:

I use this grounding technique with clients to help focus on the here and now. You can use this grounding technique to help create space from distressing negative thinking and feelings. Felling overwhelmed with our emotions and thoughts can happen to all of us. Especially during this difficult time of COVID-19.

The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique

5 things you see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste

Take a deep breath at the end repeat again if you feel you need to.

Daffodils in full bloom

Last year staff from Danske Bank helped our clients plant over 1000 daffodils which were kindly donated by Lidl.

These are now in full bloom and a lovely beacon of hope and encouragement to those who walk past on their daily period of  exercise

Many thanks to Amber & Sarah Louise from our previous charity partner Danske Bank UK, who joined us in Ards to finish off planting our spring bulbs! Despite the freezing conditions our volunteers were full of enthusiasm & smiles!

This Thankful Thursday we say a great big thank you to two new fundraisers

Two Northern Ireland yoga teachers, who have had their usual classes shut down by the impact of the coronavirus, are bringing their services to the public by moving online, raising funds for Action Mental Health as they do.

Julie Osborne and Diana Fyffe have decided to take their love of yoga online, to offer the scientifically-proven therapeutic effects of the ancient practice to their usual students, and the wider public.

Both have also decided to raise money for Action Mental Health in the process, considering the mental health benefits it brings, alongside the physical advantages.

Research has shown that not only does yoga relieves stress and reduces muscle tension, it also reduces inflammation, and calms and centres the nervous system, proving a useful practice tool in psychotherapy. It has also been shown to promote feelings of well-being.

Julie, a yoga instructor based in a Portadown, Co Armagh, said that once the coronavirus pandemic called time on her face-to-face sessions, she wanted to continue to offer classes, during the stressful times of our temporary departure from normal life. She decided however, to waive her fee, in favour of a donation to Action Mental Health.

“I thought if people are still willing to pay, I could ask for a donation to charity, instead.  As many people do initially commence yoga classes to look after their mental health, in addition to their physical health, I thought it most appropriate to help a local mental health charity, where the funds can be put to good use within our NI community,” she said.

To read more and to support Julie’s efforts visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julieosborneyoga https://www.facebook.com/julieosborneyoga/

Diana, a trainee yoga teacher, usually takes local yogis through her classes in east Belfast but since they had to close to the public she too, is now offering online classes, with the proceeds going to Action Mental Health.

Diana, who founded Peacelife Yoga, above Ronnie’s on the Belmond Road, commented: “As yoga helps so much with mental health, anyone who wants to pay for the classes can donate here, and all the money raised will go to Action Mental Health. So, by attending a class, not only are you doing yourself some good, you’re also raising money for a very worthwhile cause.”

To support Diana’s fundraising efforts visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/diana-fyffe. You can also visit http://www.peacelifeyoga.co.uk/, Facebook: @DianaBFyffe or

Instagram: peacelife_yoga

April – Stress Awareness Month during unprecedented times

As National Stress Awareness Month draws to a close – during one of the most unusual periods the world has ever witnessed – it’s even more important than ever tobe aware of our stress levels.

During these uncertain times, Action Mental Health has been supplementing its vault of helpful tips and advice to help support people’s mental health and well-being, with guidance on dealing with the impact the coronavirus crisis is having on all our lives and our mental health.

Living in a time when we have to be socially distant from our loved ones, while taking special precautions when we shop for food, visit the doctor, take our important daily exercise – or continue vital roles as key workers, can make this frightening time even more difficult to deal with. For some, the lack of a daily routine will cause a great deal of upset.

Stress affects us in myriad ways, and can result in irritability, mood swings, loss or increase in appetite and can cause insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns, tension headaches, plus many more. In situations like these unprecedented times of uncertainty – with frightening news headlines – it could be easy to turn to coping mechanisms like abusing alcohol or other similar unhealthy means.

However, our dedicated teams across AMH have been busy curating the best advice available to help you through this difficult period, on dealing with stress, anxiety and social distancing, while AMH Works offers tips on getting the best out of working from home. We have also collated tips on encouraging a positive outlook throughout the pandemic, from embracing The Five Ways to Well-Being, talking to children about the global situation, and even specific advice, from AMH everyBODY, on helping people with eating disorders cope with the day to day upheaval of life in our current circumstances.

You can access all these helpful tips and advice by visiting: https://www.amh.org.uk/coronavirus/

You can read more on stress, how to recognise it and sources of support on:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/understanding-stress/

Advice for children video

Rachel from AMH MensSana shares advice on staying mentally well for children. She covers everything from going on a bear hunt to making Banana Bread.

Banana Bread Recipe

Try out this recipe perfected to a T by one of our team.

Ingredients

140g butter, softened, plus extra for the tin

90g caster sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

175g self-raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 extra banana for decoration

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  2. Butter a 2lb loaf tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment.
  3. Cream 140g softened butter and 140g caster sugar until light and fluffy, then slowly add 2 beaten large eggs with a little of the 140g flour. 
  4. Fold in the remaining flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 2 mashed bananas.
  5. Pour into the tin. Cut banana length ways and lay both on top of cake mixture. Sprinkle with caster sugar.
  6. bake for about 30 mins. Turn oven down to 150C for 25 minutes.
  7. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove to a wire rack.