A client who has been passing on knowledge she has acquired at Action Mental Health has praised the courses and care which have helped her journey back to better mental health.
When Joanna Bower arrived at New Horizons she suffered from a lack of confidence in herself, something many people experience when they first arrive at Action Mental Health’s New Horizons Services.
From the outset, her apprehensiveness meant Joanna found attending classes difficult. But during the ensuing six months spent among people who can empathise with her journey through mental ill-health, she experienced a turnaround in her attitude to the service.
With the support and encouragement of New Horizons’ staff and other clients, Joanna took part in creative and personal development classes, recently also participating in Sign Language classes. Though she was very nervous about at the beginning, she has excelled at this new skill and has found it a wonderful tool to keep connected with her younger nieces and nephews via zoom, even teaching them the new communication system.
Since joining New Horizons, Joanna has grown in confidence and is learning more new skills with every passing week, reinforcing and supporting her recovery and journey to positive mental well-being.
AMH 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.
‘ChatPal- Your Positive Psychology ChatBot’ is a new mental health app designed to support users’ mental health and wellbeing. Developed by researchers from Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Ulster University, the app is available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ChatPal is a research project funded by the EU and the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme. Action Mental Health is a member of the project team.
The COVID-19 pandemic placed further pressure on already stretched mental health services. Therefore, ChatPal has been launched early to provide support during these unprecedented times. Helplines and online services have provided increased options for continued access to mental health and wellbeing support. This is of particular concern for people living on their own who may be feeling even more isolated and anxious.
The app can maintain a dialogue with users around how to maintain positive emotions and good physical health, develop relationships, as well as engendering a sense of accomplishment and meaning. This dialogue was developed by a team of Researchers within the Department of Sport, Leisure and Childhood studies at CIT which is based on the well known positive psychology framework called “PERMAH.”
Dr Raymond Bond, Reader in Data Analytics at Ulster University said, “The ChatPal chatbot app is a computer program that can have a very basic conversation with users, and is developed using a form of artificial intelligence. It augments and extends the reach of traditional existing services without replacing these services.”
David Babington, CEO, Action Mental Health, said “I can really see the need to provide 24/7 digital services that blend and complement our traditional services and our recent experience in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has given this much greater emphasis. Chatbots are very engaging digital tools that facilitate positive conversations with clients – and that’s what people need – ‘conversation.’ We really do believe that the ChatPal app will be effective in coaching and upskilling people to support self-care and better management of their own wellbeing.”
Dr Alex Vakaloudis, Senior Researcher & Software Development Team Lead at CIT, commented “The Nimbus Research Centre in CIT hosted an INTERREG NPA ChatPal ‘Chatbot Design’ workshop early in 2020. The Workshop comprised of a variety of CIT academics, staff, and student representatives with mental well-being interests, in order to share their own experiences and insights in a collaborative and creative setting.”
Professor Maurice Mulvenna of Ulster University said, “In our recent survey of over 180 mental health experts and professionals, over 75% of respondents said that they believed that chatbots are important in mental health care and that they would support the use of an app such as ChatPal, mainly for self-care, training and educating or coaching people about mental health and wellbeing.”
The ChatPal app is now available for download on the Google Play Store here: https://bit.ly/ChatPalApp
A Co Antrim man who slipped into a “dark place” during a bout of mental ill health is cycling across Northern Ireland’s football grounds to raise funds for Action Mental Health.
Mervyn Canders from Ballyclare, will set off on the sponsored challenge that will cover approximately 350 miles over three days and two nights, commencing at Dixon Park, the home of Ballyclare Comrades FC.
The 37- year-old, who is being accompanied on the route by a number of friends, is also inviting other cyclists and cycling clubs to join them for the event which wheels off on August 10, with expectations that it will be completed by August 12.
The event was originally scheduled to take place on March 23 but had to be cancelled when the nationwide lockdown was imposed.
The married father of two, then aims to make his way around all 24 Irish premiership and championship clubs grounds in Northern Ireland, hoping to gather up merchandise from each to raffle off, to bolster the sponsorship fund.
“As football is a sport mainly played and supported by men both young and old, there is a stigma attached to men not speaking about their mental health,” he explained.
“I, myself have had mental health issues and have found myself in a dark place. I needed to do something about it so I went and spoke to a counsellor and just by speaking to someone who I didn’t know helped me greatly, to just get things that had been simmering underneath for so long out and off my chest,” he said.
Mervyn played football since childhood up until recent years when work responsibilities precluded his enjoyment of the sport, so he came to cycling late, only pushing pedals on pavement in October 2019.
“The first time I went out on a road bike was really enjoyable and was great for the mind so I decided to tie the two together and I’ve come up with this challenge,” he added.
“Bearing in mind I have never cycled before, up until a few months ago, last October, this will indeed be a big challenge, not only physically but mentally as well, but one I am really looking forward to completing.”
Mervyn said many people have asked him why he has chosen the arduous challenge.
“I have previously suffered from mental health and I am not ashamed to admit that. I wasn’t in a good place and I took the first step and spoke to someone and from that day everything changed for me,” he told them.
“It is heart-breaking to see that people can’t seem to find an alternative, and that speaking out about their mental health and asking for help could potentially save their lives. The increase in especially males ending their own lives is absolutely devastating.
“Life is precious. It’s good to talk so don’t be ashamed and don’t bottle it all up. By just talking to one person and telling them how you feel, it could potentially change everything,” he concluded.
Action Mental Health’s MensSana service is hosting more open Mindset sessions this month. The mental and emotional health and well-being awareness programme is aimed at over 18s, within youth and community settings across the Northern, Western, Belfast and South Eastern Trust areas. Mindset is funded by the PHA. For more information and to sign up visit
Claire Lynch, on part of her 500-mile challenge, that took in the legendary Dark Hedges, made famous worldwide by the popular Game of Thrones television show.
A teacher from Eglinton has just parked her bicycle after a staggering 500-mile cycle, raising over £1000 aid of Action Mental Health.
Claire Lynch, who now lives in Glasgow, churned up the miles for the Northern Ireland charity after initial plans to cycle through Paris were thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The 28-year-old cyclist, who previously ran the Belfast Marathon in aid of Action Mental Health, completed her two-wheeled challenge throughout the North West, where she returned to during the lockdown.
Her challenge took her through many picturesque parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic, including Ballyliffin and Greencastle in Donegal, as well as Limavady, Claudy, Portstewart, Portrush, Armoy and Ballycastle in counties Londonderry and Antrim.
“I mostly wanted to do this because I had fallen in love with cycling and wanted to push myself mentally and physically, all the while having a bit of an adventure,” she said.
‘But the pandemic made planning for a trip like this pretty difficult as I didn’t know when travel restrictions would be lifted and I obviously didn’t want to add to any risk of the spread.
‘After putting the whole thing on hold, one day I had the thought that I could still do the distance of the original plan, even if it was just on home turf. I say ‘just’ but it turns out where I live isn’t too shabby and actually has some really amazing cycle routes.
Choosing Action Mental Health as her beneficiary, Claire went on: ‘According to the NI Health Survey (2015) one in five adults in Northern Ireland will show signs of a mental illness. When matched to 17 other countries, Northern Ireland has the second highest rates of mental ill-health.
‘Sadly, due to the pandemic the work of Action Mental Health may be needed more now than ever.
‘On a personal level, I have experienced periods of poor mental health, mostly in the form of anxiety. Although I haven’t used this organisation I have benefitted from others and feel grateful to these types of services,’ she continued.
‘Alongside this help, cycling has been hugely beneficial in helping to manage my mental health. The feeling of being outside, moving my body and seeing nature always helps to lift my mood. Therefore a cycle challenge in aid of a mental health charity seemed like a great fit.’
“The service and support I’ve received from AMH New Horizons Derriaghy during lockdown has been exemplary. At a time when other services closed their doors, Action Mental Health were there with care and determination to keep contact and services going which meant the world to me. The Zoom classes, the phone calls to home from my key worker, were very much appreciated and reassuring. The staff of AMH helped dismiss the feelings of isolation and uncertainty during these unprecedented times. I’ll be forever grateful for Action Mental Health and their dependable care and support”.
Many thanks to Eamonn Thompson. Eamonn is taking part in our “Working it Out” Project at AMH New Horizons Derriaghy. This project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.
“I had turned a corner from a never-ending road of predictability, featuring anxiety, hopelessness and dread.
This new direction came about after being involved with AMH New Horizons.
Structure to my day was restored. People from all walks of life were there regardless of background with one common factor, making us all equal with no judgement.
Then the worldwide pandemic of 2020 threatened everything. I was prevented from socialising just when I had regained my desire to do so.
It was like finally learning to fly then suddenly breaking your wing.
I tried to keep calm and stop the tsunami of negativity. AMH were offering Zoom classes as a replacement service. This would enable groups to interact via a video link in the comfort of your own living space.
I signed up to every class I could possibly fit in with no real hope of any positive outcome.
Truth be told, it has been nowhere near the same AMH that helped me turn that corner. Having said that, the service that has been offered in such extreme and unprecedented circumstances has helped maintain the path that I am on and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that
a downward spiral for me mentally, has been avoided thanks to AMH”.
Many thanks to Mark Kinkaid for sharing his experience of AMH during the pandemic. Mark is taking part in our “Working it Out” Project at AMH New Horizons Derriaghy. This project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.
Every year, Action Mental Health proudly supports Belfast Pride.
But with the coronavirus pandemic stalling life, as we know it, for the foreseeable future, this year’s Belfast Pride event is going online.
Like myriad events taking the virtual approach this year, the digital avenue will allow Pride revellers and supporters the chance to celebrate Northern Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community as in previous years.
For 2020, Belfast Pride Festival is planning a launch and award ceremony to kick things off, Pride Talks Back event, a Virtual Parade and Party in the Square and After Party, as well as a host of online events for people to enjoy at home or in small groups with friends and family.
The Virtual Parade and Party will be online on the Belfast Pride Festival http://www.belfastpride.com/ website on August 1st and can also be supported by its social media channels via the hashtags #bproud2020 and #RainbowHeroes.
One of our staff members who will be supporting the event said he knows how difficult it has been for the LGBT+ community during the lockdown.
“Having a minority identity can be isolating, and Covid-19 has shut down the few safe places that many LBGT+ have to socialise/meet and emotionally connect. My heart goes out to LBGT+ people who live more rurally and who live with even greater social and geographical isolation. How do single people cope or attend to their social/emotional needs during a lockdown? What impact does this have?
“I know this has hit the LBGT+ community hard. I recall living in rural Limavady for many years, having few LBGT+ people in the area with nowhere safe to socialise nor meet others – homophobia and heterosexism were rife. It was very expensive to travel to the two major cities to get a night out (let alone pay in or buy anything) and I recall having to spend my hard-earned wages renting hotel rooms in Belfast just so I could have a safe night out in LBGT+ company; this wasn’t an optional city break treat but a mental health essential!
I am very aware I was one of the privileged ones that had a good job, a car and was ‘out’ to my friends and family, what about those who aren’t?
“I am a massive advocate of the essential work and achievement of efforts to eliminate homophobia, discrimination and hate crimes against members of my LBGT+ community. Pride celebrates diversity/equality for all, integrating LBGT+ services within mainstream funding/provision whilst retaining the unique needs of these amazing people, friends, colleagues and peers, that I call my LBGT+ family.
“I look forward to walking the parade route under the AMH banner with pride in the coming years.”
