safeTALK, about three hours in duration, is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. As a safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to:
move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide;
identify people who have thoughts of suicide;
apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
Powerful video clips illustrate both non-alert and alert responses. Discussion and practice help stimulate learning. Learn steps that contribute to saving lives.
This course is being delivered to the Belfast and Jordanstown campuses of the University of Ulster in partnership with the Health in Mind Project
safeTALK, about three hours in duration, is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. As a safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to:
move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide;
identify people who have thoughts of suicide;
apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
Powerful video clips illustrate both non-alert and alert responses. Discussion and practice help stimulate learning. Learn steps that contribute to saving lives.
This course is being delivered to Queen’s University Students Union in partnership with the Health in Mind Project
safeTALK, about three hours in duration, is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. As a safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to:
move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide;
identify people who have thoughts of suicide;
apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
Powerful video clips illustrate both non-alert and alert responses. Discussion and practice help stimulate learning. Learn steps that contribute to saving lives.
This course is being delivered to both Coleraine and Magee campuses of the University of Ulster in partnership with the Health in Mind Project
The main aims of the course are to show the main factors which can cause stress both in and out of the workplace and will help participants to learn the skills to combat these.
By the end of this course participants should be able to:
Understand what stress is
Understand what causes stress
Identify the factors influencing stress
Recognise the signs and symptoms of stress
Manage stress through relaxation techniques
Identify areas of stress in your own life and learn how to create an action plan to combat these
It may have been the season of goodwill, but the festive season is accompanied by a variety of stress factors, including alcohol, changed sleep patterns, increased debts and family conflicts. Losses during the year, be it the death of a loved one or economic setbacks, are also experienced more acutely during this time.
After the rush of the holidays, January can be a difficult month. The festivities have ended; its cold and a long wait until pay day. It is little wonder that Monday 21st January has been adopted as “the gloomiest day of the year.”
For many already living with mental health issues, the season of goodwill may have been a far cry from the ideal of family gatherings overflowing with gifts. The problems are far more serious and distressing, and January can be a very isolating period haunted by disappointment, anxiety, sadness, depression or even suicidal thoughts.
At this time of year, we all need to talk more than ever.
It is important for individuals to acknowledge the difficulties during this period and seek professional help with severe ‘January blues’ when needed. However, staying active and not isolated, reducing alcohol consumption and being aware and mindful of difficult family dynamics can lessen the blues.
There are also a few simple steps that can help minimise the risk of mental health issues arising this January:
Beware of drinking to excess
Remember that alcohol is a depressant and can worsen the symptoms of depression
If you are worried about being alone, find out what is going on in your local community or join a local group
See whether there is a good time to visit friends or relatives
Sharing your feelings with others, such as friends and family members, who can help you identify and work through any emotional challenges you may be experiencing.
Regular physical activity has been shown to have antidepressant effects in people with mild to moderate depression
The President of the Law Society NI, Michael Robinson has nominated Action Mental Health as his Charity for 2013.
President of the Law Society; Michael Robinson and David Babington; Chief Executive AMH
David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, said he was delighted to accept the honour on behalf of the charities’ staff and clients;
“We are very pleased that the Law Society has chosen to focus on and support mental health and well-being in 2013 and we are delighted to be named as their Charity of the Year. Our team in AMH will be working alongside the Society to organise and support a number of fundraising activities and events. We also hope to run a number of joint initiatives with to raise awareness, tackle stigma and promote positive mental health.”
Commenting the President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, Mr Michael Robinson said;
“The Law Society of Northern Ireland is delighted to be working in partnership with Action Mental Health as our chosen charity of the year. We look forward supporting AMH to raise much needed funds to support the invaluable work which they undertake”.
David Babington and Billy Kohner of AMH are joined by Pat Ramsey MLA, Sue Ramsey MLA and Speaker of the Assembly; William Hay MLA
The Northern Ireland Assembly Commissionand its charity of the year – Action Mental Health (AMH), helped to “Shine a light on mental illness” this Christmas.
“The Shine a Light” Campaign was launched by William Hay MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on World Mental Health Day in October. Since then, hundreds of lights have been sponsored, by members of the public as well as those working in Parliament Buildings. Following the Assembly’s annual Christmas Carol Service at Parliament Buildings today, Assembly staff and MLAs gathered to place the lights along the grounds in front
of the building, each light symbolising a Christmas message of support and hope to those living with mental ill health.
Speaker of the Assembly said: “Today’s event is a culmination of the hard work of Action Mental Health staff to raise funds for this very important cause. As the Assembly Commission’s charity of the year, I am delighted that AMH has raised awareness of the ‘Shine a Light’ campaign here at the grounds of Stormont Estate. Today’s gathering and the laying of the lights in front of the building is a wonderful symbol of AMH’s dedication to helping those living with mental illness and ties in so well with the Assembly’s commitment as well.”
Paul McAlea and Libby McCord from AMH New Horizons Downpatrick who raised £425 for the Shine a Light Campaign
AMH’s Chief Executive, David Babingtonsaid: “Many of you will be looking forward to celebrating the festivities with your friends and family. However, for some people experiencing mental health problems, Christmas is often a time when they feel more isolated and stigmatised than ever.
“During the Assembly’s Christmas recess, the lights will remain in front of Parliament Buildings. It’s quite likely that one day you, one of your friends, colleagues or family members will experience a mental health problem and it is often the simple things that you do which can make a real difference. This campaign is urging all of just to take a moment to think about those who are ill and offer our support. By seeing the lights over the Christmas period, perhaps we can encourage some to seek help and others to offer help”.
After the Carol Concert in the Great Hall, those who had sponsored a light made their way outside to “plant” their lights in the Stormont grounds
You can still donate to the Shine a Light Campaign, http://www.justgiving.com/Action-Mental-Health. The money raised will enable Action Mental Health to provide services and support to thousands of local people, living with mental illness. AMH helps their clients on the road to recovery and to build positive and meaningful futures.
Hard Copies of the Annual Report are available from our central office – please contact 
It may have been the season of goodwill, but the festive season is accompanied by a variety of stress factors, including alcohol, changed sleep patterns, increased debts and family conflicts. Losses during the year, be it the death of a loved one or economic setbacks, are also experienced more acutely during this time.
