Art is one of the many activities enjoyed at Action Mental Health’s New Horizons services dotted around Northern Ireland. So, to help mark World Mental Health Day today, the diverse work of artists both amateur and professional, takes centre stage.

Clients at Antrim New Horizons are presenting their ‘Art of Recovery’ exhibition at Clotworthy House, Antrim until October 27.

Meanwhile, in Newtownards, artist Brian Kielt presents his one man show ‘Bardo: An Unknown Country’ at the Georgian Gallery, Ards Art Centre until October 26. His exhibition is being staged in aid of Action Mental Health.

Cyclists in Fermanagh have been using pedal power to raise money for AMH New Horizons Fermanagh.

Cyclists took part in the Tour of Fermanagh Sportive in August, raising a whopping £1700 for the service which helps people in recovery from periods of mental ill-health. Staff from the Fermanagh service helped out on the day, marshalling and providing an information stand on AMH services.

Action Mental Health New Horizons Downpatrick is currently benefitting from the Asda Foundation’s Green Token Giving scheme.  The service was nominated by a grateful client and it is now reaping the rewards of the community-based scheme which annually invests £1.4m in over 4000 good causes throughout the UK.

The Downpatrick service will receive donations from Asda Downpatrick shoppers all this month, right through to December 31. The scheme operates via a token system, and when Asda shoppers are at the till paying for items all they have to do is ask for a token and choose one of three causes to benefit.  From the start of this month Action Mental Health Downpatrick has been one of those lucky three causes.  The Men’s Shed, Downpatrick (part of the AMH family) and Knockevin Special School, Downpatrick, are the other benefactors.

Service Manager at New Horizons Downpatrick, Joanne Stroud, commented: “We are very grateful to have been selected to receive a donation from Asda’s Green Token Giving Scheme. Every pound raised will help to ensure the vital training programmes and activities provided at New Horizons Downpatrick which greatly benefit clients like the one who nominated us to receive the great fundraising opportunity.

“They are just one of the many hundreds who participate in the service’s programmes which exist to help people recovering from periods of mental ill-health, who are interested in progressing towards further education, training or employment.”

“We’d like to say a great big thank you to Asda from everyone here at AMH!”

The “Working it Out” project clients participate in 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.

AMH New Horizons Derriaghy showcases its talent for global focus on mental health

A showcase of talent came under the spotlight at Action Mental Health as the rest of the globe marks World Mental Health Day this week.

Clients at AMH New Horizons Derriaghy used the worldwide focus on mental health on October 10 to unveil two animations depicting their own journeys from mental ill-health to recovery.

The event took place during the weeklong celebrations of mental health, on Monday, October 7 at Bridge Community Centre, Railway Street Lisburn, with the mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, councillor Alan Given in attendance.

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The men and women who attend the Derriaghy Service also committed their personal stories to prose following a series of creative writing classes. Their chronicles translate the impact of their illnesses on their lives, their families and work, and bring to life the positive impact of Action Mental Health.

Action Mental Health
By Susanne

 
Action Mental Health is just a charity to some but to you and me, it is a sanctuary.
It gives us hope when we see nothing ahead.
It makes friends of us even when we are the loneliest souls.
It brightens our lives by encouraging kindness.
Lifts our spirits and makes us smile.
Encourages our long lost talents to come out to the foreground.
And helps us to discover new ones which without them would never be found.
Our confidence grows and our problems disperse.
All without pressure we can now see our worth.
With gentle nudging, entertaining classes, we see the world in a different light.
We can now face the future and heal from our pasts.
We still have compassion but strengths now galore,
Supporting us daily and we know when we fall,
They will pick us up until we are ready to journey on.
Through dark times and good, they never falter, always there to do what they do best.
They restore faith – faith in human nature.

Thank-you AMH.

The two arts combined with a third, music, and treated the audience to the talents of the Service’s ukulele group.

Clients taking part in the day’s events participate in AMH New Horizons’ ‘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.

As Northern Ireland marks World Mental Health Day it’s fitting that the rising incidence of mental ill-health here is remembered. One in five adults in Northern Ireland will show signs of a mental illness, while the prevalence of mental illness in Northern Ireland is 25% higher than in England. Northern Ireland also has the highest rates of incidences and annual presentation for self-harm in the UK and the highest suicide rate – 16.4 per 100,000 population compared to 10.3 in England, 9.2 in Wales and 14.5 in Scotland in 2014.

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Action Mental Health’s annual kickstarter to World Mental Health Day – the Granite Challenge – got the charity’s packed week of events off to a resounding success on Sunday.

The sun shone for around 360 participants who tackled the sportive through the picturesque Mourne Mountains, tackling some challenging headwinds but raising much-needed funds for the charity’s Men’s Shed based at New Horizons Downpatrick.

All the money raised through the cycling event will be used to support the Men’s Shed which provides a relaxed and friendly environment where men over 50 form new friendships, share skills and learn new ones, while encouraging them to look after their mental health. Shedders, as they’re known, come together to work on practical activities of their choice, including horticulture, joinery, photography, arts and crafts, IT and cooking – every Men’s Shed is led by the needs and skills of its ‘shedders’ and AMH also offers one in Antrim and in Fermanagh.

The funds raised will be used to help pay for the men to attend as well as for equipment used in the workshops and other activities.

As a local charity, Action Mental Health relies on the support of the local community to help provide its vital services. The Downpatrick Shed is annually supported by the Granite Challenge which this weekend took cyclists along a scenic route through Tyrella and Dundrum, along coastal roads through Newcastle, and on towards Annalong at the foot of the Mournes. Riders then commenced their ascent through the Mournes past Silent Valley, climbing to Spelga Dam, before going downhill toward home, through the pretty village of Bryansford. Traversing Maghera and Clough they finally headed back to the finish in Downpatrick.

The challenging event was supported by McConvey Cycles and first aiders from St. John’s Ambulance, and as always, AMH is gratefully indebted to both for their great efforts on the day.

One member of the Men’s Shed in Downpatrick, Terry Murphy, reveals why the annual event is so important to him and his fellow Shedders. “I would encourage anyone our age to join the Men’s Shed; it’s very, very beneficial. You learn different skills and different crafts,  from wood-carving, and stained glass, to mosaic work.

“I enjoy my fellow shedders because without them there’s no shed. We all benefit from each other and as a group, together we all benefit from the support of the Granite Challenge. It’s an amazing community fundraising effort and we all really appreciate the people who come out to participate.”

AMH Chief Executive David Babington – who annually is among the hundreds of participating cyclists – reminds us that like any exercise, cycle promotes mental well-being.

“Physical activity plays a huge role in keeping our minds healthy as well as our bodies. With as many as one in five people in Northern Ireland experiencing mental ill-health at some stage of their life, it’s important to remember that simple things such as cycling to work or walking the dog can really help to reduce stress and clear the mind.

“As World Mental Health Day approaches on Thursday we couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute than hosting a large scale sporting event that unites the community in a show of support for those impacted by mental illness whilst also offering participants the chance to raise vital funds to support our work.

“We’re always really excited to host our annual Granite Challenge, which over the years has proved hugely popular with local cycling clubs and individuals alike. Each year the number of cyclists continues to grow, and this year the turnout was very gratifying so we want to thank everyone who took part.”

For further photographs, see our Facebook page https://bit.ly/2MqAmT8 or follow this link https://www.poharaphoto.com/amhgc3962

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The Department for Communities (DfC) Disability Stakeholder Forum met on Wednesday 2^nd October at AMH New Horizons Antrim. This meeting was preceded by a meeting between the Co-Chairs of the Forum, Deirdre Ward (DfC) & Tony Reilly (Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment) and service users from a number of disability organisations, including Mencap, Triangle Housing and AMH New Horizons.

The role of the Department for Communities Disability Stakeholder Forum is to act as a cohesive and collaborative group that will support and influence the full implementation of the ‘Supporting Equality through Inclusive Employment – An Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities’.

In doing so, the Forum :

Contributes to the success of the strategy;

Reviews the Annual Action Plan at each of the Stakeholder Forum meetings;

Provides direct input into the future Action Plans within the lifetime of the strategy;

Champions the aims and objectives of the strategy within their own field and with other relevant stakeholders, such as people with disabilities, employers, local representatives etc;

Recommends the best methods to engage and communicate with the wider disability sector/community, particularly people with disabilities and those who represent their employment and employability needs.

The global spotlight shines on suicide prevention throughout the world this October as World Mental Health Day (WMHD) events take place abroad and at home to champion greater mental health awareness and emotionally resilient societies.

Here in Northern Ireland, where one in five adults in Northern Ireland will show signs of a mental illness – a rate 25% higher than in England – Action Mental Health works tirelessly to help clients stem the personal impact of their mental ill-health.

Action Mental Health kicks off the annual WMHD with its trademark sporting event, the Granite Challenge when cyclists raise funds for the charity’s Men’s Shed based at New Horizons Downpatrick.

As part of the global efforts, clients of Action Mental Health will be busy participating in a variety of events – and will ‘Go Purple’ – to help in the charity-wide efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues while fundraising to support its vital services. People can select a day that suits between Monday, October 7 and Sunday 13 and get inspired through Action Mental Health’s free fundraising pack, available by registering on their website – amh.org.uk.

A number of civic buildings will also be illuminated in purple across Northern Ireland and as they do, Action Mental Health is encouraging the public to also GO Purple for World Mental Health Day. People can invite their colleagues, friends and families to sponsor them to wear purple, host purple tea parties or rack up purple miles through any physical means to raise money for Action Mental Health.  

Art as a therapeutic pastime is one of the core activities at AMH New Horizons and will feature largely on the WMHD calendar. Clients at Antrim New Horizons will present their ‘Art of Recovery’ exhibition at Clotworthy House, Antrim from October 1 to 27, while in Newtownards, artist Brian Kielt presents his one man show ‘Bardo: An Unknown Country’ at the Georgian Gallery, Ards Art Centre, in aid of Action Mental Health, running from October 3 to 26.

At AMH New Horizons Derriaghy clients will unveil their special animation which depicts their journeys from mental ill-health to recovery, at the Bridge Community Centre, Railway Street Lisburn, on Monday, October 7 at 11am. Clients at New HorizonsAntrim will exhibit their artistic talents at Mossley Mill on October 8 in Newtownabbey.

New Horizon Antrim clients will get the chance to experiment with Laughter Yoga – said to help combat depression and anxiety – with Nuala McKeever of North Star Health & Well-being Centre.

The Antrim service will also play host to a visit by the Gathering Drum, a drumming circle which aims to encourage clients to experiment with the rhythms of the percussion instrument.

At New Horizons Downpatrick, staff and clients will be hosting a Mental Health Promotion Fair to feature creative writing and story-telling, hand massages, a mindfulness taster and music as well as a taster session with Elite Fitness, complemented by the attendance of a  physiotherapist.

WMHD also is the theme for the annual Big Breakfast at Newry’s Canal Court Hotel which will bring together local council representatives and businesses, including Autoline, Danske, Haldane Fisher, Murdock Group and Saica Pack.

New Horizons Craigavon and Banbridge will host an open day on WMHD while up in the northwest at New Horizons Foyle clients will be presented with certificates following a host of courses they’ve been working towards.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington is encouraging everyone to Go Purple to help the charity support people experiencing mental ill-health and to help build resilience and promote well-being among the younger generation.

“We hope everyone will consider participating in World Mental Health Day in some capacity. There are so many ways to fundraise for Action Mental Health and you’re only limited by your imagination.  All you have to do is get in touch and we’ll send you a fundraising pack.

“We’re delighted to know that lots of individuals and groups, including numerous schools and community groups as well as many of our dedicated corporate partners, are already signed up to Go Purple, this October.

“In a society like Northern Ireland which experiences greater incidence of suicide than the rest of the United Kingdom, we do our utmost to support people with mental ill-health, and to provide emotional well-being and resilience building services to the our future generations.”

Action Mental Health as once again teamed up with White’s Oats to offer samples of their tasty porridge to participants on the day. 

Danielle Mc Bride, Brand Manager of White’s Oats commented: ‘’The 10^th October is World Mental Health Day and World Porridge Day, and with the synergies between the two being so strong it’s fitting that both should share the same date in the calendar year.

“A healthy lifestyle can deliver many great benefits, not least the physical and mental benefits, with increasing research showing that a healthy diet can support a healthy mind and this starts with the food we eat’’.

This year, White’s Oats is offering participants the chance to win a year’s supply of their tasty product to the cycling team with the most entries.

AMH New Horizons’ ‘Working it Out’ project – the focal point of the charity’s recovery services in which clients participate – 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.

Learn more about Going Purple for WMHD by clicking the link: https://www.amh.org.uk/events/go-purple-for-world-mental-health-day/

Clients taking part in the ESF “Working It Out” project at AMH New Horizons Fermanagh, enjoyed a unique opportunity to get creative in the ornamental walled garden at Florenscourt House, one of the most beautiful Georgian houses in Ulster.

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With the support of Freddy, our helpful National Trust volunteer, clients built a bug hotel, having first foraged for twigs, nuts and cones along the beautiful woodland walks and trails on the Estate.

The Bug Hotel, which is situated in our New Horizons Serenity garden, officially opened on Friday 27^th September, and is expected to reach full guest occupancy over the Autumn!

AMH New Horizons’ ‘Working it Out” project 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.