Students from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, visit New Horizons Foyle
Students from Arlington Virginia have been treated to a tour
of New Horizons Foyle during a worldwide focus on suicide prevention.
The young people from the American institution were welcomed
to the service by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor
Michaela Boyle.
The delegation was in Derry Londonderry attending the Suicide Conference and wanted to visit New Horizons to see it in action, the model of which they told Service Manager Pauline Flanagan they were unfamiliar with, at home.
AMH New Horizons’ and its ‘Working it Out” project, which is undertaking by clients, 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 chief executive David Babington chatted with students during the tour of the service, which took place as part of their trip to Northern Ireland to participate in the 30th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
The conference got under way in Derry on Tuesday bringing together more than 800 delegates including leading international experts on suicide prevention.
The AMH New Horizons activities the client participates in 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.
New Horizons Foyle Service Manager Pauline Flanagan with Mayor, Michaela Boyle and AMH Chief Executive David Babington
Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington
Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington has addressed UK audiences on Northern Ireland’s ‘stubbornly high’ suicide rate BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours Programme.
Mr Babington contributed to the show, presented by Winifred
Robinson, following a taped interview with Belfast mum Patricia Ferrin who
shared her tragic plight of losing her three sons to suicide.
Describing
Northern Ireland’s suicide rate as ‘stubbornly high’ Mr Babington referred to
figures for last year which resulted in the deaths of 4.5 more people compared
to road deaths.
Echoing Mrs
Ferrin’s call for greater resources he told the programme: “It’s about
resources and collective leadership to prioritise it in among everything else
in the health sector.
“We get half
the funding for mental health services in Northern Ireland as happens in
England so it’s only about 6 or 7 per cent of the budget were as it’s 12 per
cent in England so immediately there’s a massive disparity there,” he said.
Calling for
parity between physical and mental health, Mr Babington said referred to a new
Department of Health initiative unveiled on World Suicide Prevention Day on
September 10 – aimed at cutting suicide
rates by 10% in five years.
Offering a
measured welcome to the new Protect Life 2 Strategy Mr Babington said resources
fall short of its aims.
“It’s great
to see now we have out there but we would give a very measured welcome to it
because at the end of the day, in terms of resources, we just do not see it.”
He added: “Over
70% of those who die by suicide do not have contact with mental health services
so they are out there in the community; maybe it’s an impulsive act or it’s just
they don’t know where to go.
Referring to
AMH’s resilience-building programmes for children and young people, including
Healthy Me for primary school children, Mr Babington continued: “It’s getting
out there in the community, so that’s in schools and with young people in the
workplace – that’s where the majority of these issues are starting.
“We need to
be proactive rather than reactive and so that’s where we believe we can really
make a difference, working with our statutory colleagues in delivering that.”
Artist Brian Kielt with one of his compelling pieces
A Co
Derry artist has given clients at Action Mental Health a sneak preview of a new
solo exhibition which coincides with World Mental Health Day events being held
throughout the charity.
Brian
Kielt, who has captured life, often through a refracted lens and rich in
metaphor, lore and legend, brings his collection, ‘Bardo: An Unknown Country’
to the Ards Arts Centre in October.
The
one-man exhibition will premiere at the Centre’s Georgian Gallery from October
3 to 26, with proceeds from the exhibition going to Action Mental Health’s New
Horizons North Down and Ards.
Keilt’s
theme of Bardo comes from the same Tibetan word which translates as ‘between two’,
reflecting Buddhism’s belief in the journey the soul takes between death and
the ultimate goal – rebirth and peace.
The
theme, in many ways, charts Kielt’s own personal ‘struggle with mental health
issues for the best part of 15 years’, with art, he contends, representing a
focus by which he strives toward personal peace and aims to ‘make sense of the
world’.
The
event follows a lifelong dream to be an artist and combines his flair and skill
for contemporary expressionism, with the subject matter of his life since
childhood.
It
translates prosaic settings of his family history, which he turns on its head
to create evocative multi-scene images, warranting audiences’ considered
inspection, right through to unique interpretations of Greek mythology.
By literally
turning images of portraiture, by degrees, such transposition creates dramatic
and poignant images which have the viewer guessing its enigmatic subject
matter.
Talented
and budding artists who attend AMH New Horizons North Down and Ards, got the
chance to view some of Kielt’s work, quizzing him on his inspiration, work and
subject matter, with many of them now looking forward to attending next month’s
event. Clients even got to take part in a workshop led by Kielt, producing
innovative, unique and impressive works of their own.
Those who participated undertake 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.
Kielt’s work for the exhibition was sponsored by an iDA grant awarded by the University of Atypical (formerly the Arts and Disability Forum) supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
New Horizons clients learn from the pro, Brian Kielt
AMH Employment Officer Katrina McIlmail supports Gary during the charity’s popular Job Club.
The
future is bright for hundreds of people who attend Action Mental Health New
Horizons thanks to its effective Job Clubs which help people regain the
confidence to get back to work.
People who attend AMH’s Job Clubs – at New Horizons’ nine
centres across Northern Ireland – may sometimes fear their mental ill-health
will rule out future paid employment. Today, however, astute employers
recognise that people with a history of mental ill-health can make a valuable
contribution to their workplace. They are helping to consign to the past the
assumption that mental illness precludes paid work.
New Horizons Job Clubs are supportive places were
specialist employment officers provide one-to-one advice and guidance who are
applying for work. They help clients update their CVs, take them through
interview preparation and techniques and help take those unfamiliar with online
applications through the whole digital process.
AMH collaborates with organisations like the Northern
Ireland Union of Supported Employment (NIUSE) and other bodies in the voluntary
sector to identify opportunities for people with disabilities who can act as
the conduit between clients and potential employment.
One of the leaders at the Job Club at New Horizons North
Down & Ards, Katrina McIlmail, AMH Employment Officer, explained: “This is
all delivered in an informal setting and we work closely with clients to help
them gain new skills, either through work-based training, work placement or
through volunteering.”
“We arrange
employability visits to help clients experience the wide range of jobs that are
available within their industry of choice and how best they can use their
qualifications once achieved.”
The Job Clubs complement the accredited qualifications
delivered at AMH, which include a range of relevant contemporary subjects,
including IT, retail and catering.
Recent visits have included delegations of AMH clients
interested in the catering industry to one of Belfast’s newest hotels, Titanic
Belfast and the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor. Clients also received an insight into what it is like to work for
one of the UK’s largest multi-nationals, visiting their local Tesco for employment
tips.
But it’s not just employment that the Job Club focuses on
– AMH also supports people wishing to get back into education.
“AMH Employment Officers are available to with assist clients with their enrolment into courses at colleges and to help arrange learning support for people with needs such as dyslexia for example. We can also attend the centre of learning with the client prior to the commencement of their course, if they are nervous about their new start.”
Participants of the Job Club undertake 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.
Employers interested in offering employment opportunities
can contact Action Mental Health New Horizons North Down and Ards on 028 9182
2410.
CASE
STUDY
One client who has progressed through the rungs of AMH’s
Job Club is Gary. A very popular face round New Horizons North Down & Ards,
he epitomises the benefits the Job Club can bring to clients.
At 47 years old, he is one of the countless clients who
have completed an NVQ Retail Skills Level Two qualification during his time
with New Horizons.
To fulfil the criteria of the course he worked at Assisi
Charity Shop in Newtownards on a work-based training placement. Since achieving
his NVQ Gary has continued to volunteer there and is now a much-valued member
of the team. He serves customers, sorts stock, labels donations and puts his
hand to any other jobs that are needed.
Gary is also invaluable in helping staff at New Horizons
North Down & Ards. He regularly attends information stands, bag packs and
events with AMH Employment Officers and other staff, to inform the general
public about the fantastic work that the charity does to assist people like him
back onto the employment ladder.
As a keen gardener Gary takes part in New Horizons’
weekly gardening club, which is one of the reasons his confidence has soared.
Gary, like countless others, has benefitted tremendously from the support he
has received at AMH and by attending the weekly Job club, he receives ongoing
support from AMH Employment Officers to help him secure a job in the local
area.
“One thing we are sure of is that he will be an absolute asset to any employer,” said Emma-Jayne Begley, Employment Officer. “Previously Gary worked in a service station and has taken part in the annual Job Shadow Day, run by the NIUSE, and he is very employment focused,” she added.
Action Mental Health has issued a ‘reserved and cautious welcome’ to the publication of a long-awaited strategy aimed at cutting Northern Ireland’s spiralling suicide rate.
As estimates put the number of lives lost to suicide as high as five a week in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has published Protect Life 2 – devised to slash that by ten per cent in five years.
The strategy aims to dispel the myths around suicide and cites early intervention as among the ways to cut suicide deaths in Northern Ireland – the worst in the UK.
The document contains 10 objectives and 44 actions and focuses largely on tackling the incidence of suicide in deprived areas of Northern Ireland.
AMH Chief Executive, David Babington said he hoped the new Strategy will place greater emphasis on getting support ‘out into the community’, where 70% of all suicides in Northern Ireland take place – outside hospitals and healthcare settings.
“But how do we reach those 70%?,”he asked, and pointed to a partnership in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area, as an effective ‘model’ and way forward. The Southern Area Protect Life Resource Service – a partnership between AMH, Pips Hope and Support (funded by the Public Health Agency) and the Southern Area Protect Life Community Voluntary Forum – has already been piloted in the region for a number of years and has been busy building resilience in the community, from schools to workplaces.
“It raises the issue of mental health at all ages and provides signposting to a number of services from Lifeline to specialist services, like AMH everyBODY eating disorder service. It helps by building resilience early, helping people before they get into crisis.”
“This is a model which can be worked on and with Protect Life Two we would hope that there would be much more emphasis on getting out into the wider community, into schools and into workplaces to help and support people wherever they are,” he added.
“The impact of suicide is just with not the individuals or their families, it’s complete communities. We know already that 70% of suicides take place out in the community, outside the care of hospitals, so we need to make sure there is support in the community, so we will be looking very carefully at the Protect Life 2 Strategy for that.”
Mr Babington expressed concern that despite an “initial ask of £3.5m”, Protect Life 2 heralded only an extra £1.35m toward suicide prevention in Northern Ireland.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), – we focus on the Southern Area Protect Life Resource Service – a partnership between Action Mental Heath and Pips Hope and Support (funded by the Public Health Agency) and the Southern Area Protect Life Community Voluntary Forum with a series of videos.
Background – ‘Protect Life – A Shared Vision, the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan (2006 – 2011)’ was launched by the DHSSPS in 2006.
In 2007, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) established a Southern Area Protect Life Implementation Group, the members of which are all fully committed to the aims and objectives set out within ‘Protect Life – Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006 – 2011’.
The Southern area Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) established a local Mental Health/Protect Life Implementation Group (MH/PLIG) in 2007, which provides cross-sectoral support and direction for the implementation of a local Action Plan. The Group is Chaired by the Assistant Director of Mental Health in the SHSCT and co-Chaired by the Colin Loughran, Service Manager in Action Mental Health.
The Protect Life Community Resource Service (a partnership between PIPS Hope and Support & Action Mental Health) was commissioned by the Public Health Agency (PHA) to provide the majority of suicide prevention/emotional health and wellbeing and awareness raising sessions across the Southern locality.
Action Mental Health (AMH) and PIPS Hope and Support continue to be commissioned by the PHA to provide the Protect Life Resource Service in the Southern Area The PL Resource Service provides outreach and engagement with individuals and communites in crisis and can provide early surveillance of suspected death/s by suicide in a
given community.
The Protect Life Community Voluntary Forum sits in parallel to MH/PLIG with a function for disseminating information on the wider MH/PLIG agenda to
all members of the Voluntary and Community Sector, and feeds back to the main MH/PLIG. The Protect Life Community Voluntary Forum is Chaired by our Service Manager Colin Loughran in Action Mental Health (AMH).
The publication of a revised Protect Life 2 – Suicide prevention strategy for NI has been anticipated for some time and we continue to await its publication. In the absence of a new strategy to set the direction the PHA have rolled forward with existing commissioned projects in relation to Protect Life*.
Source: Protect Life and Mental Health Promotion Implementation in the Southern area Summary Report for 2017/18. SHSCT
*Update 10/9/19 : the long-awaited Protect Life 2 suicide prevention strategy has been published today by the Department of Health.
10 September 2019 – World Suicide Prevention Day, a day marked annually to raise awareness that suicide is preventable. It aims to foster greater awareness, education and progressive ways on tackling suicide and to challenge the stigma surrounding the tragic subject.
World Suicide Prevention Day is held each year on 10 September, organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
It’s an opportunity, to showcase the host of programmes and projects Action Mental Health provides in the area of mental ill health prevention, education, suicide/self-harm prevention and early intervention.
AMH Works provides quality Mental Health training programmes for employers to support healthy, resilient workplaces. AMH Works also develops the skills and learning required to effectively manage employee mental well-being in the workplace.
AMH MensSana supports all ages in the area of mental health and emotional well-being through a range of activities tailored to suit group needs. AMH MensSana operates across the whole of Northern Ireland.
AMH everyBody aims to promote greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders. We have adopted a recovery approach to provide help and support to people with eating disorders and also to their friends and family. AMH everyBODY, is also part of the Southern Area Protect Life Forum.
Just one of the many programmes promoted by Action Mental Health – Safetalk will prepare you to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Find out more on our service pages.
Suicide Prevention Strategy for Northern Ireland Unveiled
On Tuesday10 September the Department of Health unveiled the Protect Life 2 Strategy to reduce rate of suicide in NI by 10%. This long-delayed strategy is welcomed cautiously by Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington.
On Tuesday 10 October, AMH’s CEO David Babington spoke on Good Morning Ulster, responding to the unveiling of Protect Life 2 by the Department of Health.
Action Mental Health’s Chief Executive David Babington presents Promote’s Outstanding Client trophy to Darren Woods.
The silverware was being handed out this week at Action Mental Health’s Promote Service, honouring clients who have worked tirelessly all year to complete a range of courses.
Clients who attend the Bangor-based service for adults with learning difficulties took hold of their official certificates of completion before celebrating their success with an indoor barbecue and disco.
The annual awards day also featured a clutch of special medals conferred on clients – voted for on the merits of their progression, positive attitude, good attendance, motivation and enthusiasm.
The Most Helpful medal went to Emma Savage, while crooner, Tommy Baird, received the Best Singer award. The Kindest client award was handed to Gordon Stewart, while the Most Hardworking client medal was earned by Alan Webster. But there was a hung jury when it came to the gong for the Most Creative Client, so this year it was shared among two deserving clients, Anika Johnston and Rebecca Hanna.
The day’s events were then topped by the crowning of the Outstanding Client of the Year, Darren Woods, as voted by the whole Promote team.
The gang from Promote took the opportunity to show its gratitude to its loyal band of three volunteers with special gifts. The clients were even treated to an appearance by a Search and Rescue dog, during a visit to Promote’s own dog-walking group.
The Promote gang was visited by Search and Rescue dogs.
Action Mental Health has issued a ‘reserved and cautious welcome’ to the publication of a long-awaited strategy aimed at cutting Northern Ireland’s spiralling suicide rate.
10 September 2019 – World Suicide Prevention Day, a day marked annually to raise awareness that suicide is preventable. It aims to foster greater awareness, education and progressive ways on tackling suicide and to challenge the stigma surrounding the tragic subject.
