We thought it was time for some fun art therapy for kids (and grown-ups too!), so we’re launching The Big Northern Ireland Easter Egg Hunt. Just print off our handy template, or design your own egg pattern and colour it in – using paint or coloured pencil – and place it in a window facing your street. By Easter, we hope to see lots of eggs while we’re out for our daily walk! Remember to tag us as well @amhNI #AMHEasterEggs
The gang at Action Mental Health’s Promote isn’t letting the coronavirus pandemic rob them of the fun they usually have at their Bangor-based service in times of normality.
They’ve been travelling the world, taking photography and yoga classes and are even learning sign language classes – all from the comfort of their own homes and gardens.
The group of adults with learning disabilities were among the millions across the globe to have their daily lives affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. However, that has not stopped their skills coaches from getting creative, giving lessons and offering tips on staying well and keeping active via videos and similar technology.
One of the classes scheduled to take place at AMH Promote in Conlig, before the pandemic, ‘The World Around Us’ is carrying on regardless, complete with video and quizzes, using BBC Bitesize resources.
Armchair yoga classes have been helping keep everyone fit, led by Skills Coach Tory, while tutor Laura has been encouraging clients to get outside with their cameras to take snapshots of whatever nature they find on their own doorsteps, being if flora or fauna.
The Promote gang have been getting busy in their kitchens at home too, thanks to helpful videos posted online from Skills Coach Jacqui. In their scheduled ‘I Can Cook’ and ‘Basic Cooking Skills’ groups, they were supposed to be learning how to make delicious fruit salads but thanks to technology, their imaginative tutor has them shucking strawberries and slicing sweet apples and oranges, via a helpful video on Promote’s Facebook page.
Promote clients have also been getting artistic, by creating animal pictures by tracing round their hands and using their imagination. The animal theme continues in sign language classes with clients signing symbols for four-legged creatures, using Makaton, a type of signing for people with learning and communication disabilities. Promote has been aided in these lessons courtesy of The Makaton Charity.
Promote Service Manager Niaobh Adams said the clients are really enjoying staying connected through technology.
“We are sharing our videos and lessons via Zoom for those who don’t use Facebook, and also interactive white boards, so no one will be left out of the vast array of resources we are creating. We just wanted to ensure our clients feel that they can still depend on their Promote family during these uncertain times.”
The arts, crafts and lifeskills classes – like this helpful video on how to iron a shirt – are set to continue throughout the length of the pandemic so check in to Promote’s Facebook page to marvel at their progress!
With so much uncertainty in the world at the moment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. It’s important now more than ever, to look after your own and your employee’s mental health and well-being. We understand the new pressures organisations are facing and AMH Works are here to support you in any way we can over the coming weeks. Below are some helpful guides that we have developed with tips and advice to help you stress less and promote a greater sense of peace and control, feel free to share these with your colleagues.
We are also currently developing bite-sized sessions to deliver to participants online via Zoom, such as ‘Building Resilience in Uncertain Times’ which will teach employers and employees the best methods and techniques to better equip themselves to stand up to pressures and stresses of life. If you are interested in online sessions for your organisation please contact AMH Works Manager, Shelly Wilson on [email protected] or 07540 124083.
Taking Action on Mental Health
Action Mental Health is delighted to announce that its merger with New Life Counselling takes effect today.
This welcome news is recognition by the Boards of AMH and NLC that by combining resources, services and expertise, there is a better chance of developing and sustaining mental health support for our communities in these challenging times. Going forward, the AMH Board is determined to tackle the disparity of support between physical and mental health services and this development is a mark of its commitment to ‘Taking Action on Mental Health’.
The new partnership takes full effect from today, April 1st, 2020, which means the two charities are now totally integrated. Whilst we are living through an unprecedented period, face to face services based at our usual locations have unfortunately been temporarily interrupted, however great efforts are now in place to continue to offer support to clients in a range of new ways. In future, once the effects of isolation and social distancing come to an end, all services will return to normal. The NLC service will, with a refreshed brand, retain its name, which is well known and recognisable to local communities, clients and professionals.
David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, said:
“The Boards of Action Mental Health and New Life Counselling know there is a real need for quality counselling across Northern Ireland. By combining forces, there is a greater opportunity to provide the best possible outcomes for our clients regionally, provide greater staff security and maximise scarce resources.
“By combining AMH with such a recognisable and trusted brand we are confident that NLC will be able to develop and grow their service and reach even more communities across the region. There is a really good mix between the two organisations and existing services complement each other. Most importantly, there is a great similarity in terms of ethos, values and commitment to best practice.
“The current unprecedented environment is really challenging and I believe that it provides even further evidence that the merger is the best way of ensuring we continue to provide quality support to the people using all of our services. Action Mental Health is a charity focused on ‘Taking Action on Mental Health’ and we remain committed to keeping the people we support at the heart of everything we do.”
Our team at AMH everyBODY (AMH’s eating disorder service in the Southern Trust area) are still here for our clients and have devised a series of Coping Statements to help during this very uncertain and difficult time.
This is an opportunity to get to know, and accept your body at rest.
It’s okay if eating and moving is different right now, because life and routine is different right now. What’s the same? You still need to eat regular meals and snacks, movement is meant to feel good, you’re allowed rest and food does not have moral value.
Now is a good time to practice self-compassion as it is normal to have heightened emotions.
You need adequate food throughout the day even if you do not leave the house.
Eating and exercise do not require compensation, they are two separate things that we do for our body, not against our bodies.
Resting is healthy, an act of self-care, healing and relaxing is needed for all of us. You can choose to rest without explanation.
We may be in a time of uncertainty, but the one thing we have in common is that we are all in the same boat together.
Like any situation in life, whilst it may feel difficult now it will pass. We will heal and we will come through this.
I have survived all of my toughest days so far, I can get through this too.
We always have choice no matter what the situation is, sometimes new choices lead us to new opportunities and strengths we didn’t know we had.
Eating is an essential need to keep me alive and well, it will help support my immune system and give me the energy to recover if I was to be unwell.
Undereating increases anxiety and lowers your ability to think clearly.
I have permission to rest. Health is multifaceted, the ability to slow down and rest is not lazy, it gives us time to heal and grow and recover.
Nourishment and rest will keep my immune system strong.
All my feelings are valid right now, my feelings matter. “I accept that I am feeling anxious right now and that is ok”
Health is not just what you’re eating and how you move your body. It’s also about what you’re thinking and saying.
The mark that you leave on the world is far more important than any number on a scale could ever tell you. You are so much more than your eating disorder would have you believe.
I still need to eat even if I’m not leaving the house, my body is still working hard for me when I’m sitting still. My heart is still beating, my brain and body need still need glucose and energy.
Dealing with stress and anxiety is exhausting, it is understandable if I need more time to rest.
Calories are life giving energy, not something to be feared.
Even if I’m struggling with my body image I still need to eat. There is no body size where you become unworthy of food.
Some strengths are only realised in times of uncertainty.
Now, more than ever we want to remind you that you are not alone. AMH everyBODY, Action Mental Health’s eating disorder service, in the Southern Trust area, has had to adapt to these unprecedented times, but we are still here – we are still listening and we’re still here to offer you support. Please reach out if you need to. Contact – [email protected] or 077 9088 5438.
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.
The brave workers of the NHS have been under incredible strain since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
This large band of key workers are doing extra hours, often in highly pressured environments, coupled with new social distancing restrictions. In response, our friends at Mental Health UK have compiled this helpful information which might help to lessen the burden of their physical work on their mental health.
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have become a physical reality for Northern Ireland, sending us indoors for an indeterminate period.
However, as we isolate ourselves and exercise social-distancing from others when we head to the shops for necessities, it’s vital we don’t allow Covid-19 to burden our mental health with excessive worry, fear and anxiety.
Northern Ireland society, like the rest of the UK, now finds itself at the beginning of an unprecedented experience, one that few among us could have ever envisaged. Some may be viewing it as a welcome retreat from the hectic rush of modern life, but many may be fearful of the enforced isolation it now presents.
For people living with mental health issues, the stress and anxiety this ‘new normal’ heralds, may be exacerbated by the prospect of losing contact with people they depend upon. It is well established that many people living with anxiety have less tolerance to uncertainty, and in the current situation, it’s understandable that some people may feel overwhelmed and begin to catastrophise – and imagine the worst case scenario.
However, coming, as Covid-19 does, in an era of a 24/7 online world, there is a whole raft of networks, advice and virtual assistance to turn to for support (see bottom). But while help is there, it can all become too much at times, so why not adopt some of the following tips to help you cope.
MUTE
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the barrage of Covid-19 on social media, news and chat groups, it may be time to press ‘mute’.
Anxiety UK promotes the APPLE technique which encourages us to Acknowledge, Pause, Pull back, Let go and Explore:
We’ve gathered up a list of sources of support you might find useful to help safeguard your mental health during these unsettling times:
A HELPING HAND
Government: Keep up to date with the latest advice and support from the government. It’s important to use trustworthy sources.
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/
Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/products/anxiety-condition/health-anxiety/health-anxiety-fact-sheet-instant-download/ Contact Anxiety UK by email ([email protected]) or by calling the helpline on 03444 775 774 between the opening hours of 9.30am – Public Health Agency’s Minding Your Head service at https://www.mindingyourhead.info/
Parent Line: https://www.familysupportni.gov.uk/Service/7157/parenting-support/parentline-ni–children-in-northern-ireland
Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
Aware NI: https://www.aware-ni.org/how-we-can-help-you/aware-ni-online-support-groups.
Minding Your Head: https://www.mindingyourhead.info/
HELP FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Childline: Webchat with Childline, available 9am-midnight
Find more support for young people & students
Young Minds: Read this blog from Young Minds on what to do if you’re anxious about coronavirus; https://youngminds.org.uk/
Kooth: https://www.kooth.com/
URGENT HELP
Samaritans – 116 123
Lifeline – 0808 808 8000
Childline – 0800 1111
