Tag Archives: Action Mental Health

AMH News

Action Mental Health – tackling loneliness and its impact on mental wellbeing.

Mental Health Awareness Week shines a welcome spotlight on efforts to reduce the impact of loneliness on our mental health and wellbeing. For many of Action Mental Health’s services such as our AMH New Horizons services, tackling loneliness and increasing social connections for our clients is a central element of our work throughout the year.

AMH’s New Horizons services which are located right across Northern Ireland, are much-vaunted support networks to people experiencing periods of mental ill-health.

AMH New Horizons operates recovery services that offer wellbeing, vocational and employability programmes. This complements AMH’s emotional wellbeing and resilience building programmes in schools, workplaces and indeed across the community which aim to build a more resilient and healthier population. Last year AMH services supported almost 25,000 local people, of all ages, right across Northern Ireland.

Clients attending AMH New Horizons take part in a range of courses, from therapeutic classes like arts and crafts, to accredited training and work placements through the “Working it Out” project. Working it Out 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.

The effects of loneliness

There have been many studies on the impact of loneliness and the findings are stark as highlighted below:

  • Loneliness is a killer; in fact it can hasten your death by up to 30% among some risk groups.
  • According to a study of 3.4million people, carried out by Brigham Young University, USA, people who are or feel socially isolated or live alone – whatever their age – are at increased risk of an earlier death. The study’s lead author, Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad said the harmful effects of loneliness are similar to the harm caused by smoking, obesity or alcohol misuse.
  • The study, Social Isolation, Loneliness and Health Among Older Adults by Caitlin Coyle and Elizabeth Dugan found that loneliness was associated with higher odds of having a mental health problem, while isolation was associated with higher odds of reporting one’s health as being fair or poor.

How AMH is making a difference

Many of our clients regularly tell us that they rely on the social interactions and new friendship networks they build through attending services such as AMH New Horizons and our Mens Sheds to combat their own challenges with loneliness.

We have AMH New Horizons services located across Northern Ireland and you can find out more about the services in your local area by clicking here. On this page you can find contact details for your local service, as well as details on how to access these services for yourself or a loved one.

Our Mens Shed provide a great social setting for men over the age of 50, who we know are one of the groups most at risk of the impacts of loneliness. Our shedders build new skills and friendship networks in a relaxed, comfortable environment, with other people who are facing similar issues. Our Mens Sheds are located in Antrim, Downpatrick and Enniskillen and you can find out more about them by clicking here.

The “Working it Out” project 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.

https://www.amh.org.uk/news/clients-at-amh-new-horizons-lisburn-hail-life-saving-staff-as-silent-saviours/
AMH News

Mental Health Awareness Week – Top tips to reducing loneliness

Someone who’s lonely probably also finds it hard to reach out. There’s a stigma surrounding loneliness, and people tend not to ask for help because they have too much pride. But it’s important to remember loneliness can – and does – affect anyone, of any age.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, we are sharing some ideas of things you can do to help tackle loneliness.

  • Smile, even if it feels hard – Grab every chance to smile at others or begin a conversation – for instance, with the cashier at the shop or the person next to you in the GP waiting room. If you’re shy or not sure what to say, try asking people about themselves.
  • Invite friends for tea – If you’re feeling down and alone, it’s tempting to think nobody wants to visit you. But often friends, family and neighbours will appreciate receiving an invitation to come and spend some time with you.
  • Keep in touch by phone – Having a chat with a friend or relative over the phone can be the next best thing to being with them.
  • Learn to love computers – If your friends and family live far away, a good way to stay in touch is by using a computer or tablet. Libraries and community centres often hold regular training courses to learn basic computer skills – as well as being a good place to meet and spend time with others in their own right.
  • Get involved in local community activities – These will vary according to where you live, but the chances are you’ll have access to a singing or walking group, book clubs, bridge, bingo, quiz nights and faith groups.
  • Fill your diary – It can help you feel less lonely if you plan the week ahead and put things in your diary to look forward to each day, such as a walk in the park or going to a local coffee shop, library, sports centre or cinema.
  • Get out and about – Don’t wait for people to come and see you, travel to visit them.
  • Help others – Use the knowledge and experience you have gained to give something back to your community.
Top tips to tackle lonelinessDownload
AMH News

Join us for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, 9th – 15th May 2022

Mental Health Awareness Week is a special week-long event designed to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems and to inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for all.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.

It is important that we raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing and the practical steps we can take to address it.  Reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society. Loneliness affects millions of people in the UK every year and is a key driver of poor mental health.

The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health in the Pandemic research has found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. The Foundation has been tracking loneliness levels in the UK during the pandemic and found the experience has been much higher with devastating impact. Loneliness has been an important factor contributing to higher levels of distress, resulting from people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others.  Further polling also found that loneliness was one of the leading issues that the public felt needed to be addressed.

Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic. 

Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.”

David Babington Chief Executive of Action Mental Health added:

“Action Mental Health warmly welcomes this year’s focus on combating loneliness to help aid better mental health. For many years Action Mental Health’s services, across Northern Ireland, have provided a constant source of support to our clients, many of whom have told us that they would otherwise face isolation.

The impact of the pandemic has undoubtedly increased challenges for people right across society, with many people cut off from their traditional support networks. I am delighted that Action Mental Health has been able to maintain support  and contact, right throughout the pandemic for our clients.”

Throughout the week, AMH will offer a comprehensive package of tips, advice and help to those experiencing loneliness, so that they can help to support their mental health and wellbeing.

Together we can tackle loneliness.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

AMH News

AMH everyBODY client shares their experience of eating disorder recovery

Action Mental Health’s specialist eating disorder service, AMH everyBODY, is looking inward, aiming to steer attention to its clients’ voices – and their own personal experiences. To highlight Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2022, one of AMH everyBODY’s clients, shares their own thoughts on eating disorder recovery.

RECOVERY By AMH everyBODY Client

“I think the biggest misconceptions connected to eating disorders (ED) are that it is attention-seeking behaviours and that they can be diagnosed/recognised based on physical appearance alone.  This downgrades the experiences of those living with ED. 

My ED thoughts and behaviours started around 11 years of age.  I first saw a professional in school when I was 12. It is now that I’m older (28) that I can observe the grip of those false dark thoughts and behaviours have significantly loosened.  I remember reading or seeing things promoting speaking out when I was younger and thinking; no way could anyone understand any of this. I was so controlled by the thoughts inside my head.  It wasn’t easy starting to let go of something that has lived with me for so long.

But trust me, there are people out there that want to, will and can help.  Maybe we don’t exactly need someone to understand per sae, but when things are verbalised they become less intrusive and talking becomes a stepping stone to freedom.  There are people out there who are equipped to help us recognise and reframe our ED thoughts, feelings and behaviours.   We deserve to be empowered and to make that empowerment much stronger than the voices in our heads. 

To me recovery means the road to becoming free from the internal dialogue that lives inside.  We cannot do this alone; it is easier when we are provided with a toolkit for dealing with and overcoming ED.  Realise that we deserve to be free and we are worthy of help and support.  It is remembering, no matter how long it may take if we continue to fight we can start to release the control ED has over us.  We can start to realise that it is not us, we become observant rather than obsessed.”

“ED can erode relationships with ourselves and others.  The internal dialogues that come from ED will tell you are ok the way you are, but seeking help can help release us from that headspace that traps us.  This ED brain may convince you that you don’t need help from the outside and/or you can survive without support.  Yes, we are all individual but we need to move away from that internal individualistic dialogue and mindset that ED creates.  Seeking external support can enhance internal wellbeing. Sometimes it feels impossible or too scary to reach out but as long as the fight continues, talking and seeking help can make a huge difference in how you see and experience all that comes with living with ED.

If we can bring ourselves to view thoughts and behaviours as a product of the ED brain and not our rational brain, this can provide a more true and rational understanding of what is going on.  The ED brain can be toxic and fill us with contempt and crippling false narratives.  We do not like the thoughts and behaviours it produces, especially when they are left to ruminate and can become trapped and spark off other negative thoughts.  They can erode the real YOU.

When stuff gets trapped inside our heads, it feels so true but having someone to verbalise things to without judgement can help rationalise how true they really are. Openness is key.  Recovery is a struggle but it is worth it.  It is nothing compared to the struggle we go through when we live with ED alone.“

AMH News

Promote gang add a little colour to our lives amid Covid-19 crisis

AMH Promote – Action Mental Health’s service for adults with learning – is joining the global effort to brighten up our lives during the coronavirus pandemic.

The clients at the Bangor based service will be creating colourful rainbows to display in their windows, as over 100,000 budding young artists of all abilities across the world put their own artistic touches to the welcome colourful arcs in the sky.

The trend, thought to have originated in Italy, among one of the worst hit countries by Covid-19, has now reached the Promote gang in Bangor. It gathered momentum in the UK and Ireland following the recent closure of schools, following the example of rainbow makers around the world who are uniting on a Facebook page Believe In Rainbows, People are using the social media platform to share their versions of the symbol in a bid to spread a bit of joy amid the pandemic.

Paintings and coloured pictures of rainbows produced so far carry messages of hope and some even reflect the Government’s message on the spread of coronavirus: “Catch it, bin it, kill it”. Other messages have been found encouraging others to “Be kind,” “Stay Safe” and “Be positive”.

AMH Promote – Action Mental Health’s service for adults with learning – is joining the global effort to brighten up our lives during the coronavirus pandemic.

The clients at the Bangor based service will be creating colourful rainbows to display in their windows, as countless numbers of budding young artists of all abilities are painting and drawing across the world.

The trend, thought to have originated in Italy, which is among the first country to suffer the crippling effects of Covid-19, has now reached the Promote gang in Bangor. It gathered momentum in the UK and Ireland following the recent closure of schools.

Paintings and coloured pictures of rainbows carry messages like reflecting the Government’s message on the spread of coronavirus: “Catch it, bin it, kill it” as well as other messages urging people to “Be kind,” “Stay Safe” and “Be positive”.

Rainbow makers around the world are uniting on a Facebook page Believe In Rainbows, sharing their versions of the symbol in a bid to spread a bit of joy amid the pandemic.

Help-Elephant-RIGHT-ONE
AMH News

‘Taking the Elephant out of the Room’

Mental illness remains the ‘elephant in the room’, whether at home, work or school. It’s an issue that we are aware of but choose to avoid talking about. Here at Action Mental Health we want to take the elephant out the room, encouraging people to discuss their mental health, this Christmas.

Today is #GivingTuesday – a global campaign to encourage giving on the second Tuesday in December. But you don’t have to give money, you could give your time, your goodwill, or you could give us a tweet…

Today we launch our anti-stigma campaign with our very own AMH elephant touring iconic places in Belfast to raise awareness and get people talking.

Help-Elephant-RIGHT-ONE

When you share our elephant using the hashtag #ElephantInTheRoom you will show you care about the wellness of others and demonstrate that you are a safe place to talk about mental illness without fear of being judged.

Our elephant also needs a name! Tweet us your suggestions to @amhNI and we will pick a winner.

If you would like to donate your money as well as your time this #GivingTuesday you can do so securely online at www.justgiving.com/actionmentalhealth

Or Text: MIND17 and the amount to 70070 i.e. MIND17 £1 to 70070