Action Mental Health has teamed up with Queen’s University Belfast to mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week with a full range of activities and programmes dedicated to promoting better mental health across all aspects of the lives of Queen’s staff and students.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 takes place this week with a range of events, seminars and workshops taking place across campus at Queen’s University on a range of topics including cyberbullying, the importance of sleep and the role of mental health nurses.

A recent survey by the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland found that 78% of students said they had experienced mental health issues.

In February 2019, Queen’s Students’ Union launched an ambitious new campaign to tackle mental health issues facing students – ‘OMNI’ – under the resounding call to action “all in for mental health”. Queen’s has adopted a new, whole-university approach addressing mental health and well-being for staff and students that will help inform a new institutional three-year (2019-2021) Framework for Mental Health.

Brian Parkes, People and Culture Director, Queen’s University Belfast, said, “At Queen’s, we are committed to creating a compassionate culture that supports and promotes the mental health and wellbeing of all our people and we are delighted to partner with Action Mental Health for Mental health Awareness Week 2019, with a range of events that will bring staff and students together to raise awareness, drive conversations and show their support for better mental health.”

As part of the week’s events at Queen’s, a host of local personalities will lend their profile and voices to a panel to highlight the wide range of issues surrounding mental health and well-being, including former GAA star Oisin McConville, who will discuss his experience with gambling addiction. Cool FM’s Paulo Ross will also give an insight into his experiences while caring for his mother when she developed mental health difficulties.

The panel will also feature BBC Newsline anchor Tara Mills and Radio Ulster commentator Linzi Conway alongside Action Mental Health’s everyBODY service’s Project Worker Deborah McCready, who will focus on one of the themes of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 – body image – how we think and feel about our bodies.

Mental Health Awareness Week is also the springboard for Action Mental Health’s Great Big Purple Picnic fundraising drive which focuses on ways to improve knowledge of positive mental health and well-being. Queen’s University staff and students will be supporting the effort by hosting their own Great Big Purple Picnic in the university’s iconic Quadrangle on Wednesday, May 15.

The university will also launch its annual Pedometer Challenge with proceeds raised going to Action Mental Health and staff will be invited to enjoy a range of events including holistic therapies, a performance of the university’s staff choir and a guided tour of Botanic Gardens.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington expressed delight at the collaboration between the charity and Queen’s University.

“It’s gratifying to see such a prestigious institution shining a light on mental health issues and taking the lead to cultivate and promote the mental well-being of their staff and student body.”

 

 

 

Northern Ireland’s leading mental health charity is inviting everyone to join in its annual Northern Ireland-wide picnic event.

Action Mental Health is asking people to host a Great Big Purple Picnic to help mark Mental Health Awareness Week from 13^th to 19^th May and wants schools, businesses, community groups, families and friends to get their picnic hampers out and join in the fundraising fun.

The Great Big Purple Picnic is one of the many initiatives organised by AMH to help raise awareness of positive mental health and also raise vital funds to help support their work across Northern Ireland. Most of all AMH wants you to have a bit of fun while you’re doing it.

In Belfast a Great Big Purple Picnic will be hosted at Queen’s University of Belfast’s quad as part a packed programme to mark the focus on mental health in collaboration with Action Mental Health.

Picnics and other activities are also being hosted in support of AMH by a host of our corporate partners and businesses, including Danske Bank, Gordon’s Chemists, Farrans Construction, Medicare Osborne Pharmacy. In Derry-Londonderry the city’s branch of the Bank of Ireland will also partake of a picnic.

Clients at AMH New Horizons Newry will be enjoying their Great Big Purple Picnic al fresco, tucking into a barbecue at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor next Wednesday. Meanwhile a number of local businesses including the Employers Forum, Autoline and Newry Building Supplies are set to host their own Great Big Purple Picnics for staff.

AMH New Horizons Foyle is continuing the celebrations into the next week, hosting its Great Big Purple Picnic in Derry city’s Guild Hall Square where people will have the opportunity to ‘Take Five’ – based on the Five Ways to Well-Being, as Service Manager Pauline Flanagan explains: “Pack your lunch and join us outside on our purple canvas; CONNECT and  meet the AMH team; LEARN how we provide mental health support and services; TAKE NOTICE of the opportunities you can avail of; BE ACTIVE and get involved in our impromptu entertainment; GIVE yourself a mindful lunch break support mental health.

Members of WW, formerly Weight Watchers, throughout County Antrim will be hosting picnics, in Glenarm, Larne, Cushendall and Carrickfergus.

The focus for the Great Big Purple Picnic is quite simply about giving people a way to improve their knowledge of positive mental health and also a way to improve their mental well-being.

By hosting your very own Great Big Purple Picnic you and your guests will be actively engaging in the Five Ways to Well-being: connecting with those around you; being active, by choosing one of Northern Ireland’s picturesque settings to host your picnic and combining it was a nice walk; taking notice, by just taking time out to enjoy the moment; keep learning, by thinking of healthy food options for your picnic to help maintain a healthy body for a healthy mind; and by giving the funds you raise to AMH which aims to change the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promote resilience and wellbeing to future generations.

All you have to do is to choose a date, a venue – indoors or outdoors, in the garden, at home, school or work – and then invite your friends to your Great Big Purple Picnic. But don’t forget to think purple: whether it’s purple bunting, purple picnic blankets, purple wigs or purple drinks, it’s up to you!

You can download a fundraising and information pack on www.amh.org.uk or request one by emailing [email protected] or by calling 028 9182 8494.

The good-hearted people of Northern Ireland – known the world over for their generosity – have lived up to their reputation, helping to raise nearly £50,000 to support Action Mental Health’s services through the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. And we’re still counting…

There was a carnival atmosphere at the popular event which attracted record numbers of participants in the first ever marathon to take place on a Sunday.

Thousands more people turned out to line the route to cheer on the participants of the 38^th marathon event in the city with a route that started at Stormont and snaked its way through Belfast – from east to west, north and south.

Around 18,000 took part in the five different events of the day, including the full marathon, the wheelchair race, team relay, walk and fun run. Some 5,000 took part in the full marathon, marking record numbers for the event which began in Belfast in 1982.

Around 500 people took part in Sunday’s event on behalf of Action Mental Health which was one of five designated charity partners – and the amount raised so far has the charity glowing with appreciation, knowing the impact that these vital funds will have.

Team AMH were out in force with a mix of participants braving the full marathon, the team relay, the 9 mile walk and the fun run.

Action Mental Health was delighted by the participation by its charity partners Danske Bank, Allstate, CTS Projects and Phillips Healthcare who were all represented. AMH was also fortunate to have the support of a number of other local firms and organisations including Queen’s University, Ulster University, the Henderson Group, Clanmill Housing Association, City of Belfast Boxing, Donaldson Consulting, Wilson Salt, Doran Consulting, Framar Health, Murlands Solicitors and B Connected Media.

AMH was also lucky to have a number of high profile personalities on board for its ‘Dream Relay Team’ including Cecilia Daly, BBC weather presenter; Steve Thornton, manager of the Belfast Giants; and UTV broadcast journalist Deborah McAleese and her husband Jonathan McCambridge, former deputy editor of the Belfast Telegraph and author of popular blog ‘What’s A Daddy For?’

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington was overjoyed by the support shown in its first marathon charity designation.

“Action Mental Health was lucky enough to clinch one of the five designated charity spots of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon 2019 and because of that opportunity, a staggering amount has been raised to help fund vital mental health services provided by Action Mental Health.

“Almost £50,000 has been raised so far by the generous people of Northern Ireland who have once again dug deep to support us – be they individuals, community groups, our faithful corporate partners and other businesses who selected Action Mental Health as the recipient of their marathon efforts in both physical and fundraising terms.

“We are indebted to each and every one of them, and we also want to place on record our deep appreciation to Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon which opened the door to such a great opportunity, not only to raise funds, but also to raise awareness of mental health in Northern Ireland.”

For Responsible Business Week 2019, Action Mental Health would like to shine a light and say a massive thank you to Corporate Partner Danske Bank who have just entered into their third and final year with the local charity. Danske Bank highlights the pinnacle of what the week stands for. Building a better and healthier workforce, helping to sustain our local economy and fostering healthier communities all across Northern Ireland.

Partnering with Action Mental Health in January 2017, Danske Bank dedicated themselves to not only highlighting positive mental health amongst their own staff, but also raising funds to support vital work across the country in promoting positive emotional health and well-being for now and for generations to come.

One in five of us in Northern Ireland will experience a mental health issue in our lifetime. This equates to 1 in 5, that we know of. Sadly, many still do not receive the support that they need and more shockingly, half of all mental issues begin before the age of 14. A staggering 10% of 5-16 year olds in Northern Ireland have a diagnosable mental health problem and Danske Bank have put themselves at the forefront of addressing this problem so we can nurture a healthier youth. With Action Mental Health’s early intervention resilience and emotional well-being programmes, we hope to tackle issues head on before they begin.

With these school’s programmes not receiving any government funding and with the charity providing the programmes free of charge to schools, Action Mental Health rely solely on the generosity of local businesses, associations, community groups and individuals to continue with their vital work. The charity currently has a 6 month waiting list for their school’s programmes which shows just how high the demand is within our schools for help and support for their students. Danske Bank have played a critical role in helping to ensure Action Mental Health continue to be there to support and help our young people develop healthy coping mechanisms for the struggles daily life throws their way when they need it most.

In particular, Danske Bank have been strong advocates and supporters for the ‘Healthy Me’ programme aimed at 8-11 year olds in primary school settings. This programme helps young people to identify their vast range of emotions and ensure they know who their key points of contact are should they feel they need help and support. In their first 2 years of the partnership alone, Danske employees have raised a staggering £130,000 allowing Action Mental Health to reach a further 13,000 young people across Northern Ireland. From abseils, picnics, dragon boat races and marathons to name but a few, these incredible employees know no bounds in offering their support and everyone can’t wait to see what 2019 brings.

In addition to all the employees incredible work around the ‘Healthy Me’ programme, they are also keen volunteers in assisting Action Mental Health with their adult recovery programme, ‘New Horizons’ and also helping them keep their buildings up to code and fit for purpose for the attending clients. The ‘New Horizons’ programme focuses on local adult’s journey to positive mental health by offering a range of recognised qualifications, training, personal development programmes and social and recreational activities with the aim of aiding clients progress towards further education or employment.

Over the last 2 years, Danske staff have been active supporters in providing CV skills, interview skills and customer service skills coaching alongside courses such as fraud awareness and money management, all of which have been invaluable for Action Mental Health’s clients. Just recently, staff have delivered training in the Newtownards service, Antrim and Downpatrick, with more training upcoming for Craigavon. These service locations have also benefited from some TLC from enthusiastic volunteers helping with painting and gardening. Action Mental Health’s service locations have slowly been spreading across Northern Ireland from 1963 and many are tucked away in industrial estates as they were established at a time when mental health was seen as an issue better out of sight and out of mind. The care the team have been pouring into the buildings really has helped give them a new lease of live and created a warm, welcoming and safe environment for clients.

Not forgetting, Danske Bank also go to extraordinary lengths to support the mental health and well-being of their own staff encouraging the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’* – connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving. Staff from across several Danske sites took park in several parkrun’s at the end of March 2019. While they did very generously raise funds for Action Mental Health for this, the main focus was on them getting out, taking in some fresh air, exercising and connecting with their colleagues while doing so and it was lovely to see. Physical well-being has direct links to our mental well-being and the team at Action Mental Health were thrilled to see the team taking time out of their own busy schedules to spend some important time reflecting on their own health, both physical and mental.

Danske Bank staff celebrating with Oakfield Primary School, Carrickfergus in January 2019 following raising an incredible £130,000 at the end of their 2nd year in partnership with Action Mental Health

With Mental Health Awareness Week fast approaching (13^th – 19^th May 2019), the Danske team are once again going to be shining a light on employee mental health and well-being. On Tuesday 14^th May, the Business Development Team will be taking on a 500 mile walking challenge involving circling parts of some of their different sites. Connecting with colleagues, being active, taking notice of their surroundings (and hopefully the nice weather!), learning about their colleagues and more about Mental Health Awareness Week and also giving their time and energy to such a great cause that affects so many of us in Northern Ireland – either through personal experience or through the experiences of friends and family.

Danske Bank could not be more highly commended and recognised for their dedication in tackling mental health within Northern Ireland. Their commitment to their employees, to our young people and to communities right across Northern Ireland is not just recognised by Action Mental Health, but from other professionals across the country as shown by being short listed for no less than four awards in the Business in the Community ‘Responsible Business Awards 2019’ – Responsible Digital Innovation, Wellbeing at Work, Diversity & Inclusion and NI Responsible Company of the Year.

 

 

Alex Murdock, Fundraising & Engagement Coordinator at Action Mental Health had this to say:

“I cannot think of a more deserving company and staff to receive these awards and wish Danske Bank the best of luck for the upcoming awards ceremony in May. Their incredible support of Action Mental Health over the last two years has completely blown me away and I am thoroughly looking forward to helping them create a lasting legacy surrounding positive mental health for both their employees and Northern Ireland as a whole throughout 2019. On behalf of everyone at Action Mental Health, thank you for embracing our journey to create a society which actively values and supports people on their journey towards positive mental health, thank you for stepping up and sharing the responsibility for creating a healthier community and thank you for helping us create a better today and a better tomorrow. We honestly could not do it without you.”

*The Five Ways to Wellbeing was developed by New Economics Foundation. It is a set of evidence-based actions designed to improve personal wellbeing.

The founder of popular online magazine platform Belfast Times has been pounding the pavement for the last year in preparation for his marathon debut.

Jeff Meredith has been keeping his readers and social media followers up-to-date with efforts on and has been raising money for Action Mental Health with every tread of the tarmac.

Action Mental Health is one of five lucky charities selected to benefit from fundraising efforts by participants in the Deep RiveRock Belfast City Marathon 2019 which takes place this Sunday, May 5.

Jeff began running just last year, fulfilling a long-time ambition to join the countless runners who find their way to fitness out in the fresh air. His journey began with the goal to reduce his cholesterol without taking medication but he didn’t realise how beneficial running and outdoor exercise would be for his mental health.

He’s now a committed runner who is not only four stones lighter but also a vocal advocate for the mental health benefits that outdoor exercise and running provides. His path to a more streamlined self followed an emotional low point when a serendipitous meeting with an AMH volunteer helped steer him in the right direction.

Jeff explains: “I’ve chosen to raise funds for Action Mental Health because one day at my stall in St. George’s Market, when I was packing up after the weekend, I just burst into floods of tears. I didn’t realise how low I had got. A fellow trader, who is a volunteer with AMH, gave me leaflets to read which started my journey to better awareness of my own mental health.”

You can read all about Jeff’s journey in his own words, and also support his fundraising efforts for AMH, on his Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeffsfirstmarathon

Northern Ireland’s leading mental health charity is inviting everyone to join in its annual Northern Ireland-wide picnic event in May.

Action Mental Health is asking people to host a Great Big Purple Picnic to help mark Mental Health Awareness Week from 13^th to 19^th May and wants schools, businesses, community groups, families and friends to get their picnic hampers out and join in the fundraising fun.

The Great Big Purple Picnic is one of the many initiatives organised by AMH to help raise awareness of positive mental health and also raise vital funds to help support their work across Northern Ireland. Most of all AMH wants you to have a bit of fun while you’re doing it.

The focus for the Great Big Purple Picnic is quite simply about giving people a way to improve their knowledge of positive mental health and also a way to improve their mental well-being.

By hosting your very own Great Big Purple Picnic you and your guests will be actively engaging in the Five Ways to Well-being: connecting with those around you; being active, by choosing one of Northern Ireland’s picturesque settings to host your picnic and combining it was a nice walk; taking notice, by just taking time out to enjoy the moment; keep learning, by thinking of healthy food options for your picnic to help maintain a healthy body for a healthy mind; and by giving the funds you raise to AMH which aims to change the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promote resilience and wellbeing to future generations.

All you have to do is to choose a date, a venue – indoors or outdoors, in the garden, at home, school or work – and then invite your friends to your Great Big Purple Picnic. But don’t forget to think purple: whether it’s purple bunting, purple picnic blankets, purple wigs or purple drinks, it’s up to you!

You can download a fundraising and information pack on www.amh.org.uk or request one by emailing [email protected] or by calling 028 9182 8494.

As the spotlight shines on Autism Awareness Week this month a client at Action Mental Health’s Newry and Mourne’s Vision Project, Adrienne, shares her journey towards recovery…

My name is Adrienne. I’m 27 and I have Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism which affects my social interaction and communication skills. I also affects how I process and interpret information. I do not understand figures of speech unless I have learned their true meanings and tend to interpret things literally. So, I don’t always realise if someone is joking or not. I also have limited non-verbal communication and a poor short-term memory so I cannot process a lot of information at once.

My Asperger’s caused me difficulties at home, such as arguments with family members, and at university, as it took me longer to complete my coursework and other tasks in general. Not understanding my coursework, requiring clarification of things mentioned in lectures and in particular, group work, were all significant issues for me. I found assignments – in which I was part of a group of students – was particularly hard because of my difficulties with social interaction. My fellow students would carry on with the assignment, while I didn’t understand it, so my input in the completed assignment was minimal.

I also found my chosen degree subject extremely difficult, so as a result of all of this my course work piled up, I couldn’t do my exams and my stress levels became extremely high. In addition, I didn’t know about my Asperger’s until I went to university and when I found out more about my syndrome I thought I would never get a job or make anything of myself because I had a disability. So I became depressed.

Due to arguments at home and my difficulties at university, I was on the verge of quitting university and running away from everything. Then my aunt found temporary accommodation for me, which allowed me to move out from the family home. I left university with a Bachelor of Science Ordinary Degree, depression, no self-esteem and no intention of applying for jobs because I felt as though all the hard work and stress I experienced trying to obtain my degree had come to nothing.

I was unemployed for two years and in that time I completed a Prince’s Trust course (an organisation I would highly recommend). It gave me my confidence back so I started applying for jobs. I got many interviews and was capable of doing the work required, but because of my difficulties with processing and interpreting information due to my Asperger’s, the responses I gave at these interviews did not answer the questions being asked. Thus, I was constantly unsuccessful. The confidence I regained from the Prince’s Trust course was lost completely and I was on the verge of giving up, until my Occupational Therapist got me into Action Mental Health New Horizons Newry & Mourne.

I took the term ‘New Horizons’ to mean me moving on to bigger and better things – a new start, the beginning of a better life for myself. At New Horizons I completed many accredited training courses including New Clait, ECDL, Advanced ECDL, Digital Skills, Cookery and Personal Careers Preparation. I am currently accessing the Vision Service to complete my NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration and through this training and with the help of the Employment Officer in New Horizons I very fortunately secured a work experience placement in McKeown’s Solicitors. I was initially supported by the Vision Support Worker until I gained the confidence, knowledge and skills to do this on my own.

I have been employed there on Supported Permitted Work Higher 15½ hours per week as an Administration Assistant for two years now and I very much enjoy it. I get on very well with my colleagues who are a wonderful support to me and always include me in any of their planned social events.

I would very highly recommend the Vision Service within Action Mental Health New Horizons for people with Asperger’s because it has been a huge part of the journey to the success and fulfilment in my life which I never believed was possible. Now I live in a larger house with lots of nice things and I have my independence. I have come a long way since leaving university and my life has changed for the better.

 

 

Clients of Action Mental Health in the North West have called for a greater focus on mental health services during a local elections hustings event at its Foyle New Horizon Service in Derry/Londonderry.

AMH Chief Executive, David Babington, also called for better investment in mental health services when he addressed clients, mental health stakeholders and representatives of the local parties who are running the forthcoming local council elections.

The event gave the audience the chance to quiz their local politicians on some of the issues that matter to them most – notably mental health and well-being.

Service users from the charity raised questions on a wide range of topics. These included the impact of Brexit and the ongoing stalemate at Stormont on mental health funding; issues around marriage equality; benefit reform and housing and how these factors can have a particularly severe impact on people with mental illness. They also asked what actions the Council could take to address issues at a local level, such as what could be done to promote early intervention and better signposting for local sources of mental health support.

Representatives who took part included Mark Durkan (SDLP), Rachael Ferguson (Alliance), Conor Heaney (Sinn Fein), Derek Hussey (UUP) and Ryan McCready (DUP).

Similar events have taken place around some of Action Mental Health’s nine New Horizons service across Northern Ireland  in the run up to May 2nd local council elections.

David Babington said: “For too long Northern Ireland’s mental health services have remained the Cinderella service within the NHS. Add to that the lengthy hiatus of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont and we have a mental health provision that’s not fit for purpose. Northern Ireland has the highest incidence of mental health problems in the UK, and the lowest level of spending on mental health services and as a result the situation is unsustainable.

“The share of the health budget allocated to mental health is much lower than England yet our incidence of mental health problems is 25% higher. It’s a similar picture in comparison to Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Our need is greater yet we invest the least.”

“If we don’t break that cycle, it is self-evident that the problems will continue to mount and that mental health provision will continue to be the forgotten service in our NHS locally. To simply match the rates of investment seen in England we would need to see an increase of £130m each year, however our overall trend is of investment declining.”

Clients who attend New Horizons take part in 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 and Social Care Trusts.