This photo of Enniskillen Castle is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Queen’s University and Councils across Northern Ireland will shine a light on mental health this October, by illuminating a number of iconic buildings purple to show support for the thousands of people affected by mental illness across the region.
Taking place on World Mental Health Day on Monday 10th October, local residents across Northern Ireland can catch a glimpse of the colourful displays on the following buildings:
Queen’s University Belfast
Antrim Civic Centre and Council Office
Ballyclare Town Hall
Craigavon Civic Centre
Derry City Council Offices and the Guildhall
Lagan Valley Island
Mossley Mill Council Office
Newtownards Town Hall
Newry Town Hall
Enniskillen Castle
Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
Palace Stables, Armagh
Old Technical Building, Banbridge
David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, said:
“This year’s theme of World Mental Health day is focused on psychological first aid, which teaches people how to care for and respond to those in distress when experiencing a mental health crisis. For this reason, it’s vital that councils serve as a shining example of how to protect and integrate the people it represents by offering information, guidance and support to anyone who feels like they are struggling to cope.
“I’d like to thank the AMH Client Local Advisory Groups who contacted each of the councils to organise this activity and we are delighted that so many of them are joining in the World Mental Health Day celebrations as a result.
“By turning some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic buildings purple each council is showing support for the 1 in 4 people who will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime.”
The 55 mile cycle, now in its 5th year starts in the cathedral town of Downpatrick, cycling via Tyrella towards Dundrum, then along the coast road through the seaside town of Newcastle, towards Annalong. Then it’s up into the Mourne Mountains, past Silent Valley. The climb up to Spelga will be rewarded at the top with tea and tray bakes. Then it’s downhill towards home, through Bryansford, Maghera and Clough. Final destination is Downpatrick where a homemade lunch awaits you.
North Down Physios are back again this year providing sports massages at the finish line for a small donation.
Pre-registration is recommended as places are limited but you can also register on the morning of the event from 9am.
This year all proceeds from the event will go towards Action Mental Health’s Men’s Shed project in Downpatrick. Men’s Shed is a project for men aged 60+ to share skills, socialise and connect with their wider community.
If you have any questions please contact Callum Clark: [email protected] or 028 9182 8494
Discussing the findings of the Big Lottery Funded Together For You Project at their final conference were expert panel members Barry Turley, Iris Elliot, Mental Health Foundation, Minister of Health Michelle O’Neill MLA, Robbie Butler MLA, Health Committee; David Babington, Action Mental Health, Gerry Lynch; Royal College of Psychiatrists NI.
At a conference on Wednesday 22nd June, nine leading mental health charities celebrated the achievement of reaching over 52,000 beneficiaries with mental health services through the Together For You project, at the La Mon House Hotel. That’s over 15% of the population of Belfast (333,900) OR the entire population of Enniskillen, Antrim and Magherafelt combined! All at a cost of just £52 per head.
Together For You is a partnership project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Action Mental Health (AMH), working with Aware, CAUSE, CRUSE, MindWise, Nexus, PraxisCare, Relate NI and The Rainbow Project.
The conference was attended by over 170 stakeholders from the voluntary, private and public sector, and was officially opened by Minister of Health, Ms Michelle O’Neill;
“I am delighted to open the final conference of the Together For You Project. The figure of over 52,000 beneficiaries is a real achievement, and I congratulate all of the organisations and individuals involved.
Championing mental health is one of my main priorities. Anyone can be affected by mental illness, and I am determined that the Health and Social Care system provides top-class, recovery-focused care. The outcome of the Together For You Project demonstrates that the voluntary and community sector also has a crucial role in providing mental health and wellbeing services, and I look forward to working with you during my time in office.”
An independent evaluation of the Together For You project, conducted by PACEC revealed the improvement in people’s mental health (over 90%), with a further 90% of beneficiaries reporting that they are more able to seek help with mental health issues and a further 90% reporting they’re more able to direct others to sources of help and support. It is also hoped that the project has a long lasting effect on people’s lives, with over 94% of 294 past participants agreeing or strongly agreeing that the support they received had an ongoing / continued positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said:
“Before Big Lottery Fund invested in Together For You, we knew that we wanted to support an initiative that would improve people’s mental wellbeing across Northern Ireland. We are delighted that Together For You has brought groups working in this field together, increasing their impact and allowing them to learn from one another. We hope this partnership will leave a legacy of new collaborations that will work to support people who need help the most.”
David Babington, Chief Executive for Action Mental Health and spokesperson for the partnership said “The Together For You partnership has been extremely successful in reaching such a huge number of beneficiaries in a very short time, under budget. This can only be attributed to the excellent co-ordination of services across the partnership and the sharing of knowledge and practices between the nine leading mental health charities involved. Thanks must go to the Big Lottery Fund for investing in new and innovative ways of delivering mental health services in Northern Ireland, the legacy of which will hopefully live on through sharing of that knowledge today at the conference.”
Minister of Health, Michelle O’Neill MLA and David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, Lead Partner for Together for You
Conference attendees also enjoyed hearing from leading teen author Juno Dawson who gave some excellent insights into how she has been raising awareness of mental health with young people following the release of her latest book ‘Mind Your Head’ and also guest speaker Dr Iris Elliott, Head of Research and Policy at the Mental Health Foundation. Thanks must also go to the beneficiaries on the day who bravely spoke about the help they received as a result of the Together For You Project.
Services under Together For You are now closed, however the nine organisations will continue to work hard together to share the learnings from this unique partnership. Read the full evaluation report here or contact the Together For You team on 028 9032 9150 or email [email protected].
Watch our final video summarising the achievements of the Together For You Project (9 mins):
Our New Horizons Service in Newry is hosting a sponsored walk on Saturday 2nd July from Omeath to Carlingford. For more info contact Brian Hughes: [email protected] or 028 3026 6117
I was an orphan at the age of 12, my sister and I then stayed with a neighbour. I always felt lonely and lost always looking for something but didn’t know what. I would see other children with their parents, they looked happy and loved, I never had that and always found it hard to show love.
As time went on, my sister was then at an age to get a house, we moved but I was still lost in myself, still looking for something and still couldn’t find it. After some time I got married, had 5 children and continued to work hard. I always did my best for them trying to get them what they needed but I still found it hard to show love. As time went on, I got divorced and ended up with custody of 4 of the children. It was during that time of bringing up my children I got depression and was in hospital for a while. It was during that time I spoke with the doctor about how I was feeling and how lost I felt. He told me about AMH New Horizons Foyle, he said it was a place where people go with much the same things as I had. I asked my doctor if he would help me to go there. It worked, I went to AMH New Horizons Foyle where I met great staff that listened to me, I was shown around and also met clients. It was then I finally found the part of myself that was missing, I know if it wasn’t for Foyle New Horizons, I don’t know where I would have been. I now have structure in my day and look forward to going there and helping out. I have more confidence now, I have also learned to love and have peace of mind.
Come along to a very special morning at AMH Promote, Bangor – this Saturday! we will be serving tea & coffee, or why not treat yourself to breakfast.
Also available to buy, will be lots of plants grown in our very own garden. Spread the word and bring all your friends – you will be made very welcome!
AMH Promote in Bangor is a training centre which delivers training to adults with learning disabilities, with a view to progression to employment options, social inclusive groups and/or further education.
Come along to a very special morning at AMH Promote, Bangor – this Saturday! we will be serving tea & coffee, or why not treat yourself to breakfast.
