All posts by actionmentalhealth

AMH News

AMH Works is Launched at Stormont

Leave a comment
 

Stephen Smyth, Servis Air; David Babington, CEO, AMH; Billy Kohner, Chair, AMH; Bernie Best, Head of Business Development, AMH; Mickey Brady MLA; Gary Kane, AMH Works; Conall McDevitt MLA

AMH WORKS – HELPING EMPLOYERS SAFEGUARD STAFF MENTAL HEALTH

Action Mental Health, launched their new consultancy and training service, AMH Works, at an event in Parliament Buildings, attended by local business people and MLAs.

Action Mental Health has been working with individuals with mental health needs for 50 years now, and providing them with the support needed in their recovery.   AMH Works is a bespoke service for local employers which will help improve the productivity of their staff while safeguarding their wellbeing.

Action Mental Health Chief executive David Babington said the service is more relevant to employers now than ever,

“Looking after staff welfare is a business responsibility, and has a huge impact on productivity, sick leave and profits.  Most of us spend the greater portion of our lives at work, and it should come as no surprise that it can have an enormous impact on our wellbeing. In these times of economic hardship, businesses are under pressure to stretch resources – and these strains are being passed on to staff.   Every day, one worker in six will be experiencing a mental health difficulty, most commonly depression or anxiety.  Mental distress is now a fact of life and it can affect anyone in any workplace.”

He continued,

“It makes good business sense to protect and promote the mental health of your employees. However, a wealth of research has shown that many employers aren’t even aware of the extent of the problem. Workplace mental health remains the elephant in the room – staff can’t disclose to their employers for fear of the consequences, employers don’t acknowledge the scale of the issue and all the while poor mental health and wellbeing are costing the Northern Ireland Economy over £790 million every year.” 

Stephen Smyth, Servis Air, shares his experience of mental ill health and getting back to work

AMH Works could be the first step in creating an open, supportive environment where employees can speak up about their stress and mental health problems.

Sponsors of the breakfast event were MLAs; Mickey Brady, Conall McDevitt, and Jim Wells.  Speaking at the event was Gary Kane from AMH Works; Stephen Smyth, Servis Air; Newry Businessman, Peter Fitzsimmons and Jayne Forster from CIPD.

For more information about AMH Works please click this link  https://www.amh.org.uk/employer-consultancy/

 
More photos from the event can be found on our facebook page:
AMH News, Events

AMH – Highly Commended WEA 2012

Leave a comment
William Hamilton Managing Director, Liberty IT presents the award to Maria McVeigh, HR Manager AMH

Companies representing sectors from pizzas to packaging, architecture to insurance, power to post, were lauded on Thursday night at the sixth annual Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in the spectacular Titanic Belfast.

Allstate Northern Ireland – which a year ago was the inaugural ‘Champion’ – was the night’s only multiple winner, clinching victory in two of the 18 categories.  While a handful of past victors made it back on to the podium, such as ourselves, the gala night was as much about celebrating a clutch of new winners.

They included west Belfast-based Delta Print & Packaging which claimed the Right Place to Work prize for medium-sized organisations.  Ulster GAA took the Workplace Excellence Award (which was won by AMH last Year) while Copeland Ltd in Co Tyrone was named Best Place to Work.  Among the other first-time winners were Royal Mail, First Derivatives, Stage Crew and Nitec Solutions.  Among the new awards was Disability Best Practice Employer and the judges named joint winners here, with Belfast City Council and Todds Leap unable to be separated.

Little Wing Pizzeria fended off a number of rivals to win the Managing Talent category for small businesses. AMH were Highly Commended in the category Work Life & Wellbeing.

“It’s been a record year not only for the numbers entering but for the range of sectors represented and we’re delighted that this year’s Workplace & Employment Awards are yet another runaway success,” Irish News editor Noel Doran said.

Employment and learning minister Dr Stephen Farry, who was a top-table guest at last night’s function, told the 450-plus audience:

 “The aims of the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards go hand in hand with the direction set out in my Department’s Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, and I’m delighted to be continuing our long association with this initiative.”

Nick Hewer, who is Lord Sugar’s right-hand man on The Apprentice and who also hosts Countdown each day on Channel 4, was the after-dinner speaker and regaled guests with a captivating and humour-laced insight into the business world of Sir Alan Sugar. The Event, hosted by award- winning BBC journalist Karen Patterson, saw 18 main awards being presented alongside commendations.

William Hamilton Managing Director, Liberty IT and Maria McVeigh, HR Manager, AMH at the award ceremony in Titanic Belfast

The awards were supported by six key business partners in Tughans, Liberty IT, Tesco, PwC, Kingsbridge Private Hospital and Investors in People, and were endorsed by key industry bodies the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD).

Winners 2012

Recruitment Team Of The Year

Winner   Bond Search and Selection

Recruitment Innovator Of The Year

Winner  Webrecruit Ireland

Best Agency To Do Business With

Highly Commended  Driver Hire Belfast

Winner  Stage Crew

Work Life And Well Being  – Small/Medium Organisation

Highly Commended     Action Mental Health

Winner     GE Energy

Work Life And Well Being – Large Organisation

Highly Commended     ALMAC

Winner      Allstate Northern Ireland

Workplace Excellence

Highly Commended  Assumption Grammar School

Winner    Ulster GAA

Best Place To Work – Small Organisation

Highly Commended    People 1st

Winner      Todd Architects

Best Place To Work – Medium Organisation

Highly Commended     FPM Accountants LLP

Winner     Copeland Ltd

Best Place To Work – Large Organisation

Winner      Royal Mail

Disability Best Practice Employer

Winner   Belfast City Council

Winner    Todds Leap

Right Place To Work – Small Organisation

Highly Commended    Aurion Learning

Winner      Nitec Solutions Ltd

Right Place To Work – Medium Organisation

Winner    Delta Print and Packaging

Right Place To Work – Large Organisation

Highly Commended   Lloyds Banking Group

Winner       Allstate Northern Ireland

Managing Talent – Small Organisation

Highly Commended    Young Enterprise Northern Ireland

Winner   Little Wing Pizzeria

Managing Talent – Medium Organisation

Highly Commended   Autoline Insurance Group

Winner     Musgrave Retail Partners

Managing Talent – Large Organisation

Highly Commended    Care Circle Group

Winner    First Derivatives PLC

Innovative Employer – Small Organisation

Highly Commended    Todd Architects

Winner      Manor Architects

Innovative Employer – Medium/Large Organisation

Highly Commended   Firstsource Solutions

Winner     Autoline Insurance Group

AMH News, Events

Recognising AMH Volunteers

Leave a comment

Downpatrick was the birthplace of Action Mental Health, almost 50 years ago.  Founded in 1963, Action Mental Health aims to enhance the quality of life and the employability of people with mental health needs or a learning disability inNorthern Ireland.

 

Alex Maskey MLA congratulates James Manley

A special volunteer recognition event was held for clients at AMH New Horizons Downpatrick, to celebtrate Volunteering Week.  Special guest was Chair of the Social Development Committee, Alex Maskey MLA.

The Mission Shop Castlewellan who host volunteering placements

The event was held to raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering to individuals and the host organisations.  A total of 32 clients received certificates from Alex Maskey, to acknowledge the commitment they have shown to volunteering and the immense benefits they have received by participating in the scheme.  Representatives from 21 host organisations also received certificates in recognition of their valued support to volunteering and a small gesture of thanks from AMH.

More photos can be found on the AMH Facebook page:

 

 

AMH News

Jim Wells MLA opens AMH Garden Centre

Leave a comment
Jim Wells MLA and Nora Craig
Adrian Jackson and his self-made “Shovel Cockerel”
Paulette Thomson (Horticulture Skills Instructor AMH)

Downpatrick was the birthplace of Action Mental Health, almost 50 years ago.  Founded in 1963, Action Mental Health aims to enhance the quality of life and the employability of people with mental health needs or a learning disability in Northern Ireland.

 

The Garden Centre in Downpatrick, moved down to its present site from the Downshire Hospital 17 years ago.  This opening follows the first re-development of the centre since then, at a cost of £45k.  AMH raised the funds, with additional support from the Garfield Weston Foundation and the John Acheson Foundation.

 

The Garden Centre is a commercial venture, open to the public and run by the clients, who are also studying for NVQ level 1 & 2 in horticulture.  They grow and sell a range of summer bedding plants, bushes and shrubs, hanging baskets and window boxes.  They also grow vegetables for use in the unit canteen. The centre provides the clients with the opportunity to gain employability skills – a chance to work as part of a team, improved confidence, retail experience, and an opportunity to engage with the general public.

Jim Wells MLA was treated to a tour of the garden centre, and had a chance to chat to the staff and clients who work there.  After officially opening the centre, he joined guests for tea in the sunshine.

All the photos can be found on our facebook page

AMH News

The John Wilson Memorial Trust ..

Leave a comment

Nick Coburn, John Wilson, Colin Loughran AMH, Roisin Tallon AMH, David Acheson, Richard Wilson

.. Pledges Money to Action Mental Health.

The John Wilson Memorial Trust was set up by Ulster Carpets in memory of John Wilson, one of the sons of GW Wilson the founder of Ulster Carpets, following his passing in 2009. The Trust fund is managed by appointed Trustees involved in Ulster Carpets, including two of John Wilson’s sons.

Like his father, John always had an enduring passion for the business; particularly the long held establishment of significant employment in Portadown in keeping with the company’s place in the community.

The trust fund actively seeks opportunities to support local organisations, particularly those working in the areas of mental health and depression. We were delighted that the trust recently pledged funding to AMH.   The funding will be used to help support 2 of our projects in the Portadown area; AMH New Horizons and AMH MensSana.

Colin Loughran, AMH Service Manager commented,

“Everyone in AMH would like to thank Ulster Carpets and the Trustees of the John Wilson Memorial Trust for their kind generousity and support of our work. The funding will be used to resource our training suite at Tannaghmore Gardens on the outskirts of Lurgan with modern IT equipment and enable essential poly tunnel repairs to be carried out in addition to refurbishment of the glass house ventilation system.  The trust has also pledged significant funding to AMH MensSana which will secure a full time staff post for the next two years and enable planned and necessary work to continue.”

 

AMH News, Events

Taking Action on Mental Health

Leave a comment
Basil McRea MLA and Suzanne Cromie of Zenbu Massage & Yoga 

During Mental Health Awareness Week, Action Mental Health visited Parliament Buildings to give mental health advice to MLAs and staff.  The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission recently nominated AMH as its first ever Charity of the Year, and it was important to make people aware of the dangers of stress, which can trigger more serious mental health problems, and introduce massage as an example of a “stress buster”.

Too much stress can result in a range of health problems including headaches, stomach upsets, high blood pressure and even stroke or heart disease. It can also cause feelings of distrust, anger, anxiety and fear, which in turn can destroy relationships at home and at work.

Gerry Kelly MLA

People often feel over-stressed as a result of some event or trigger. This doesn’t have to be negative; such as the death of a loved one or divorce, it can also be seemingly positive; a new partner, new job or going on holiday. Such feelings can also be acute; as the result of bereavement, or chronic; being in a bad relationship.

Massage is a good example of a Stress Buster, much more than just a pampering experience, it is a body healing and emotional stress-relieving tool. A massage lowers a person’s heart rate and reduces blood pressure giving you a sense that stress is melting away.  Massages reduce pain by reducing muscle tension and stimulating blood flow and increasing oxygen supplies to the blood stream. This reduction of pain helps to relieve stress.

Paula Bradley MLA & Paul Girvan MLA

This is the first of many mental health awareness activities planned with the NI Assembly over the next year.

Many thanks to therapists Suzanne Cromie from Zenbu Massage & Yoga and Jason Gonzalez from Kairos.

Sammy Douglas MLA
Mervyn Storey MLA
AMH News, Events

AMH Nominated as Charity of the Year

Leave a comment
Pictured with David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health are members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission L-R Peter Weir MLA, Pat Ramsey MLA, Chair of the Assembly Commission and Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly William Hay MLA and Judith Cochrane MLA.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission has nominated Action Mental Healthas its first ever Charity of the Year. The appointment follows the Commission’s approval of a new Charity Policy.

Following a proposal by the Speaker, the Commission chose mental health as the theme it wanted to support for the upcoming year and selected Action Mental Health as its nominated charity for one year.

Chair of the Assembly Commission and Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly William Hay MLA said: “I am delighted to launch this new Charity Policy on behalf of the Assembly Commission which is committed to supporting the work of the voluntary and community sector. Our new Charity Policy provides an additional opportunity for the work of charities to be supported at Parliament Buildings.

“In December last year, I used the annual switching on of the Christmas tree lights to recognise the work of mental health charities.  We heard some inspirational stories at that event and I am therefore delighted that Action Mental Health is our first nominated Charity as part of this new Policy to provide some additional profile for that cause.  Good mental health is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of every person in this society.

“The Charity will benefit from any Northern Ireland Assembly fundraising activities which take place in Parliament Buildings for one year at which point a new charity will be approved by the Commission for the following year. Of course, it is important to point out that other charities will still be able to host events at Parliament Buildings, with the support of MLAs.”

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 NI Assembly Commission has chosen to focus on and support mental health and well-being this year and we are delighted to be named as Charity of the Year.  Our team in AMH is already hard at work organising a number of fundraising activities and events here at Parliament Buildings, and we look forward to working with, and having the support of the Assembly staff as well as the MLAs.  We will also be running a number of joint initiatives with the Assembly to raise awareness, tackle stigma and promote positive mental health, in essence taking action on mental health.”

In addition to being able to hold a number of fundraising events in Parliament Buildings the Charity will receive all proceeds raised by staff at Assembly organised fundraising events.

Jo-Anne Dobson MLA for Upper Bann was also at the launch

all the photos can be found on our facebook page :

AMH News

Mope, Hope or Cope?

Leave a comment

How Do You Cope With The Pressure of Exams?

With the exam season fast approaching, AMH MensSana is offering young people and families support and tips on getting prepared and learning to recognise and deal with exam stress.

There can be a lot of pressure on you to do well in exams and this can often leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.  Sometimes the demands to do well at school can be brought on by yourself or it can be caused by people around you.  Feeling anxious at such times is understandable, but some young people the pressure they feel can become too much to cope with.  In this article, AMH MensSana will discuss some useful tips to help you overcome the feelings you may have about your exams.

When we feel stressed, scared or nervous our body responds by releasing stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.  These hormones cause increases in heart rate, muscle tightening, blood pressure and breath quickening.  These physical changes increase your stamina and make you more alert preparing you to either fight or flee from the situation you face.

Experiencing these physical changes before and during an exam is normal and sometimes they can actually make us feel motivated to achieve, more alert, confident and enthusiastic.  Stress, however, becomes a problem with it begins to make us feel tense, nervous, anxious, aggressive and panic-stricken.  If severe or prolonged, stress can impair concentration and performance.

Symptoms of excessive stress include:

  • Physical effects such as headaches, dizziness and stomach upset.
  • Being preoccupied with thoughts of exams and feeling unable to relax.
  • Becoming withdrawn from friends, family and hobbies.
  • Constant tiredness due to problems sleeping.
  • Loss of appetite of over-eating.
  • Seeing only the negative side of things.
  • Becoming more aggressive and short tempered with those around you
  • Feeling so low and desperate that you are considering stopping school, running away or harming yourself.

If you can relate to any of these feelings, it is important to seek support as soon as possible.  There are a number of services which AMH MensSana can sign-post you to that offer help and advice or you may find support from friends, family or someone at school – it doesn’t matter who, but it is important to speak to someone.

You can also help yourself to minimise the stress caused by exams:

  • Develop a realistic revision timetable, making a list of the subjects/topics you have to cover and how long you have until your exam.  Feeling prepared and organised for your exams can reduce stress.  Your teacher should be able to help you with your revision timetable.
  • During exam time it is important to manage your time properly.  Try to keep a healthy balance between studying and other activities you enjoy.  You may need to cut down on some of these in the run-up to the exam period but taking time out will help you to relax and can take your mind off revision.
  • Long periods of continuous study can overload your brain, making it difficult to concentrate and be productive.  Remember to build regular breaks into your revision schedule.  Engaging in some form of physical activity during this time is a good way to reduce anxiety levels and help you relax.
  • Try to go to bed at a regular time and ensure you get enough sleep, as this will aid your concentration and performance.
  • Remember everyone revises differently.  Try to find the revision routine that best suits you – compare how efficient you are at different times of the day and using different study methods.
  • Ask for help from you teacher, parent/carer or a friend if there are things you don’t understand.

On the day of the exam:

  • Have a good breakfast and drink water.  Eating well and keeping hydrated can improve your concentration and also stop you feeling hungry in the middle of your exam.
  • Check where your exam will be held and when it begins and leave enough time to get there.  Getting lost and feeling rushed will only make you feel more anxious before your exam.
  • Make sure you have all the equipment you need for each exam for example pens, pencils, calculator and ruler.
  • If you are allowed,  it is a good idea to bring a bottle of water and some tissues with you to your exam.  Simple preparations like this help you to feel calm and in control.
  • If you are feeling anxious before your exam try breathing slowly and deeply.
  • When in your exam take time to read and re-read the questions thoroughly to ensure you do not overlook important information.
  • Answer questions you are most confident about first as this is where you are likely to pick up the more marks.
  • Try not to worry about what others are doing during the exam, this will only distract you.
  • Avoid lengthy discussions with classmates about how they answered the questions as this can leave you felling worried and frustrated and try to put the exam behind you as quickly as possible.
  • Remember to take time to relax and reward yourself after an exam by doing something you enjoy.

Young people will find stress much easier to deal with if they receive support from those around them.  As a parent/guardian you can help and support a young person by:

  • Trying to accommodate their needs by arranging a set time and place for them to study without being disturbed.
  • Taking an interest in their study by offering encouragement and support – try not to criticise or place added pressure on them.
  • Praising and encouraging their efforts and achievements can be motivating and demonstrates your support for them.
  • Try to keep things in perspective and encourage them to do the same – remember that exam results are not the only indicator of a young person’s capabilities.

Getting you exam results can be a worrying time.  It can seem like your future depends on what you get.  Receiving disappointing results can feel like the end of the world, but it is important to remember that people’s strengths and weaknesses lie in different areas and not everyone performs at their best under exam conditions.  The results you have received or the decisions you have made now, or in the past do not have to define what you do or who you are in the future.  You have more options and opportunities to succeed in the future than you may think.

If you are finding the pressures of exams difficult to cope with, talk to someone about how you are feeling.  Asking for help can be difficult – maybe you are worried about what others will think of you.  Many people, however, will be able to relate to what you are going through and may offer suggestions that you would not have thought of yourself.  You could speak to your teachers and they should be able to help you plan your revision and feel better about what you have to do.  It is also a good idea to talk to your friends and family about your feelings as they can help support you while you are feeling worried.

Asking for help is a good thing to do, but can be scary.  You may prefer to speak to someone you don’t know, like a counsellor, who is specially trained to help people in exactly your situation.  Your GP can put you in touch with services like this and may also prescribe medication, if appropriate, to reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety.

 

For further information on local organisations and sources of support, contact AMH MensSana on 02838392314.