This week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week – an international event devised to fight the myths and misunderstanding that surround anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and EDNOS – disorders that are similar to but not exclusively characteristic of anorexia or bulimia.

The theme of this year’s focus is ‘Why Wait?’ – due to the alarming fact that on average, 149 weeks pass before those experiencing eating disorder symptoms seek help.

That’s almost three years or 1,043 days. That’s too long to wait for anyone, especially in light of statistics which show that eating disorders claim more lives than any other mental illness, with one in five of the most seriously affected dying prematurely from the physical consequences or by suicide. That’s why Action Mental Health’s eating disorder service everyBODY was launched. Operating in the Southern health trust area since 2000, it was formerly known as ADAPT but was relaunched in September 2018 as AMH everyBODY.

EveryBODY employs a preventative, interventionist and postvention approach, targeting the general public with awareness-raising sessions to equip people with the knowledge and skills necessary to self-support or seek help.

It also supports people affected by eating disorders, including family members and friends, to support recovery, and develops effective partnerships to ensure comprehensive, progressive support.

In light of the alarming suicide rate linked to eating disorders, AMH everyBODY promotes a greater understanding and awareness of these conditions. It promotes positive lifestyle choices, about eating to develop preventative and self-supporting skills. It also exists to help break the associated stigma – including unhelpful assumptions that it is attention-seeking behaviour or fad dieting that stops people seeking the support they need: in short, having an eating disorder is a serious mental health condition.

The focus of AMH everyBODY’s approach is recovery through partnership; a partnership between the person, their family and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, who all work collectively to provide comprehensive support towards recovery.  AMH everyBODY provides much needed support not only to the person affected but also to their families and friends at the Carers’ Group monthly meeting.

Eating disorders affect over 700,000 women and men in the UK at any one time, with research suggesting that this figure is vastly underestimated. It is thought some 80% of individuals who screen positively for having an eating disorder have never accessed help or support.  One of the most harmful symptoms of an eating disorder is silence – AMH everyBODY encourages people affected to speak out for support and know that a listening, understanding and confidential ear will be there to provide support towards recovery.

As a community, part of spreading this awareness is by reducing some of the myths and misconceptions around eating disorder.

It is clear from our experience with clients how damaging misunderstanding, stigma and ignorance can be for both the person affected and their families. Indeed, there is no doubt that this stigma and ignorance can act as a major barrier to identification, early intervention and ultimately recovery from the illness.

Action Mental Health’s Deborah McCready, everyBODY Project Worker said: “AMH everyBODY exists to bridge the gap on the clients’ journey from the moment they seek help until they get to speak to a medical expert, as with existing waiting lists this can be some time.

“When people have taken that important step and are willing to engage and seek help AMH everyBODY offers a recovery approach in sessions when people will receive information and support to develop skills, stay focused and healthy until they see a therapist.”  Prior to appointments people can feel unsupported and alone, contact with AMH everyBODY at this time will help people support themselves and get the best from their therapist when they meet.

Some of the myths and misunderstandings heard by AMH everyBODY project workers include:

“Eating disorders are a choice” 

Eating disorders are serious psychological illnesses which NO-ONE can CHOOSE to develop. Eating disorders develop as a result of a complex interaction between psychological, social and biological factors. Each person’s experience of an eating disorder will be unique to them. No-one can choose to develop an eating disorder;

“Only females develop eating disorders”

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of gender. Men can and do develop eating disorder. Eating disorders do not discriminate along any lines whether that is gender, race, socio-economic status or age;

“You must be really thin to have an eating disorder”

Eating disorders are serious psychological illnesses which cannot be fully assessed on objective measures such as weight and shape.  Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes and you cannot tell by looking at someone whether or not they have an eating disorder. Many people who may appear to be within a normal weight range can actually be seriously struggling with a very serious eating disorder;

“Eating disorders are just a phase”

Eating disorders are serious psychological illnesses and must be treated as such. Early intervention and support is vital and greatly improves prognosis of the illness. If you suspect you have an eating disorder or you suspect a loved one has an eating disorder, please seek help now. Eating disorders do not just go away;

“Eating Disorders are a diet”

Eating disorders are serious psychological illnesses they are most definitely not a diet;

“Eating Disorders are a teenage illness”

While evidence indicates that adolescence is an extremely vulnerable stage for the development of an eating disorder, eating disorders can and do develop at any age. Eating disorders do not discriminate and anyone at any age can develop an eating disorder;

“Recovery is rare”

People can and do recover from eating disorders. Recovery is always possible. Recovery can take time and it can be extremely challenging but recovery is always possible.  As a community we can improve awareness of Eating Disorders by being aware of these misconceptions and changing the conversation. Ensuring that there is an open conversation on the subject and removing any shame attached. Eating Disorders do not have a shape or size, they can affect anyone, anywhere, and everyBODY is deserving of help and support.

The reasons for volunteering for a good cause are manifold. Volunteering provides vital help to people and groups in need right across your community.

But the benefits don’t stop there.

Not only will your time, offered freely, help raise funds for charities, like us at Action Mental Health, it can actually improve your own mental health and well-being.

Studies have shown that volunteering is beneficial at combatting stress, depression and anxiety and also serves to keep you mentally stimulated, improve your self-confidence and provide you with a sense of purpose.

• It doesn’t matter whether you volunteer for a single event, or whether you want to make a more long-term commitment and volunteer on a regular basis, you’ll be a valued member of team AMH – and it will be worth it. Any time you can give on a volunteer basis can make a meaningful difference to people with mental health needs throughout Northern Ireland.
• You will meet like-minded people who are passionate about making a positive difference to people’s mental health and well-being.
• It’s an excellent opportunity to boost your career prospects by enhancing your CV or UCAS application and help you stand out from the crowd.
• Volunteering helps boost your own well-being. According to the Public Health Agency the act of giving is one of five evidence-based steps – and one of the Five Ways to Well-Being – that we can take to improve our mental well-being. Giving to others stimulates the reward areas in the brain, creating positive feelings. Read for yourself how it can benefit you: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/give-for-mental-wellbeing/
• It will help teach your children about the impact of giving back to the community. Children watch everything you do, so, by following your example, it will give them first-hand experience of the benefits of volunteering, both to those on the receiving end, and to themselves.
• You’ll have lots of fun! We have plenty of fun opportunities such as volun-cheering to support our runners at the Belfast City Marathon.
• You’ll meet new people and make new friends! Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area.
• It will provide you with an opportunity to gain valuable new skills, knowledge and experience – such as communication, problem solving and teamwork.
• Volunteering is a great opportunity to give back to a charity that you believe in or that has impacted you either directly or indirectly.
• It will help boost your confidence and self-esteem, by gaining personally from new experiences and meeting new people.
• It will also help you log volunteering hours for Gold Duke of Edinburgh – for those over 18.
• Even if you have limited mobility there are still ways you can help us here at Action Mental Health. You can volunteer to man one of our cheer stations at the upcoming Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon, on Sunday, May 5; host your own Great Big Purple Picnic, an annual event which takes place in spring; or devise your own fundraising effort to suit your personal requirements.

What’s Involved?

Join us cheering on our fantastic runners and cyclists across Northern Ireland, promoting AMH at glamorous wedding fairs or join the team on collection days.

You will be notified of our exciting volunteering opportunities and then it’s up to you to pick and choose which events you would like to participate in.

Who can Volunteer?

No experience is necessary to volunteer for Action Mental Health, however, you must be at least 18 years of age unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What Volunteering Means to Us?

By volunteering with us you’ll be helping to raise money and awareness to help change the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promoting resilience and well-being to future generations.

To find out more about volunteering with Action Mental Health or to register your interest please email [email protected]

Action Mental Health’s Inspirational Young Person of the Year 2018 Katie Graden Spence has been selected as a finalist in a prestigious category of the Pramerica Spirt of Community Awards.

The awards programme recognises and rewards secondary school age children for volunteering work in their communities and this year Katie, from Newtownards is among 20 finalists in the list of Ireland’s Top Youth Volunteers.

The Glenlola Collegiate School pupil last year came to prominence after walking 297 miles for suicide awareness – a mile for every person lost to suicide in 2017, raising £1000 for Action Mental Health in the process.

She also devised plans to establish student led mental health and well-being committee for every school in Northern Ireland.

The 18 year old even outlined her proposals before to the Department of Education and the All Party Group on Mental Health.

Katie said her short-listing for the award ‘raises awareness on how young people have the power to change the world’.

Katie will attend the awards ceremony next month, which will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Last Wednesday (6^th February) our Business Development manager Gavin McConvey was in Brussels for the launch of the H2020-MSCA-RISE “MENHIR” project.

MENHIR, led by the Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain will research and develop conversational technologies to promote positive mental health.  The technology hopes to assist people with mild depression and/or anxiety manage their symptoms and prevent relapse via mental health monitoring through interactive conversations.

Action Mental Health is one of the project members of MENHIR, a partnership of academia, private and voluntary sector organisations.

The other members are –

• Ulster University, Belfast, N. Ireland
• Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao, Spain
• Intelligent Voice Limited, London, UK
• Universität Ulm, Ulm, Germany
• Universitá degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
• GLOBIT-Globale Informationstechnik Gmbh, Barsbuttel, Germany
• Universidad de Granada (UGR), Granada, Spain

MENHIR will use co-creation to develop a technology Chatbot to provide symptom and mood management, identification of patterns indicative of relapse and recurrence, personalised support, coping strategies, mental health education and signposting to online resources and local services.

Action Mental Health has teamed up with local experts like Dr Tracey Murray who today – during Children’s Mental Health Week – shares her expertise on helping young people negotiate the world of the Internet, Social Media and Gaming.

Tracey is an art therapist with New Life Counselling’s OKAY team, working with children and young people under 18 years of age.

The Internet, Social Media and Gaming

With growing developments and accessibility in internet technologies in the past few years there has been an increase regarding issues and negative factors affecting children and young people using social media. Whatsapp, facebook, instagram, snapchat, and musically, to name a few, are common online social platforms used by children and young people. Some of the issues arising and faced by children and young people from online activity include social withdrawal, online bullying, peer pressure,  sexualised communications (sexting), sites promoting eating disorders, self-harm & suicide and sexual grooming.

In 2018, the World Health Organisation named gaming as a mental health disorder under gaming addiction. Gaming in children and young people has become more of an issue over the past few years with an increase in playing inappropriate games which have violent content, like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto which are both age 18 rated games. Fortnite (rated age 12) is one of the most common games played by children of primary school age and has associated popular dances (The Floss). Gaming addiction could include a child or young person socially withdrawing from friends and shutting themselves away from family, along with gaming for long periods of time, losing interest in other hobbies and a change in sleep, eating, mood and behaviour.

Some tips for parents on gaming and social media usage:

• Limit days/duration of screen time on gaming device/phone/tablet/computer
• Monitor types of games being used with consideration for content and age appropriateness
• Set parental controls on the gaming/phone/computer devices
• Monitor any online activity with friends and unknown people on games/phone/computer
• Find alternative activities like playing board games and outdoor play/sports
• Monitor changes in mood, behaviour and sleep and contact GP if any changes become concerning
• Check websites for advice on internet safety for different age groups: thinkuknow.co.uk , www.internetmatter.org , www.nspcc.org.uk , www.psni.police.uk

To find out more about New Life Counselling click here.  New Life Counselling is a member of the Action Mental Health Group.

Our AMH MensSana team support all ages in the area of mental health and emotional well-being through a range of activities tailored to suit group needs. To find out more click here.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our focus on Children’s Mental Health this week – to those who read the articles, commented and shared – thank you also. We are very grateful to all our supporters and fundraisers who make our work with children possible.

Action Mental Health has teamed up with local experts like Dr Tracey Murray who today – during Children’s Mental Health Week – shares her expertise on understanding Anxiety among young people.

Tracey is an art therapist with New Life Counselling’s OKAY team, working with children and young people under 18 years of age.

Anxiety

Anxiety can present in children and young people of any age and it is one of the most common presenting issues in youths (age 12-17yrs). There are different types of anxiety:

• separation anxiety – when a child becomes anxious or distressed when separated from a significant other like a parent or care giver and this can occur when being dropped off at school or if a parent leaves the house, for example. This type of anxiety can be accompanied with other issues such as family difficulties/parental separation and attachment problems.
• situational anxiety -this type of anxiety can manifest in developing fears or obsessive thinking and behaviours, like excessive hand washing. Some situational anxiety can be linked to specific experiences like exam stress or traumatic experiences. Moderate to severe anxiety can manifest in children and young people as panic with symptoms in the body including; rapid heart rate, excessive sweating, tight chest/shortness of breath, nausea, shaking.
• social anxiety -caused by a fear of being in social situations and/or interacting with people. Anxiety is often accompanied by other presenting issues and factors such as social withdrawal, school refusal, low self-esteem and distorted self-image for example.

Helping a young person with anxiety:

Creative therapies and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches offer different ways of exploring and managing anxiety in a child/young person. Creative therapies offer a more child-centred approach that encourages the child/young person to express and explore their anxiety and any other related issues creatively using art, music, drama and/or play. A CBT approach is a more directive method which uses particular strategies aiming to change a young persons’ negative thinking and subsequent behaviours.

There seems to be growing understanding and development across primary schools in NI for implementing mindfulness and resilience type programmes into their Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU) which could help deal with and manage issues like anxiety presenting in children. Some primary schools also provide counselling/creative therapies. There is also an Independent Counselling School Service (ICSS) available in every post-primary school in NI for young people to access. Various community organisations such as New Life Counselling also provide therapeutic support to children and young people from age 4 – 17 years.

Dr Tracey Murray is back again tomorrow and shares her expertise on helping young people negotiate the world of the Internet, Social Media and Gaming.

To find out more about New Life Counselling click here.  New Life Counselling is a member of the Action Mental Health Group.

Our AMH MensSana team support all ages in the area of mental health and emotional well-being through a range of activities tailored to suit group needs. To find out more click here.

Cai Graham is a parent and life coach who has a special interest in the mental health and well-being of our younger generation – and their parents. Author of The Teen Toolbox, plus a free app for teenagers, and founder of ‘Peak Parenting’, she is one of the experts sharing her experience as part of Action Mental Health’s special focus on Children’s Mental Health Week.

Cai, who lives in County Down, has been supporting local parents and their teenagers for a number of years and has developed free apps to help young people seek help – privately on their phones, when they need it most.

With a background as a therapist, Cai explains her motivation for turning her attention to parenting: “From observing families I noticed a modern-day epidemic of parents enduring their kids instead of enjoying their kids and feeling overwhelmed navigating the trials of modern parenthood.

“I felt inspired to support parents and children to reach a new level of love, understanding and unity within the home. My ultimate mission is to empower parents and teenagers with the tools and techniques they need to cope with the challenges of modern day life. Once we have skills to communicate effectively and find confidence we can live full, happy and healthy lives.”

Cai has experience in promoting positive ways to deal with anxiety and panic attacks, bullying and helping parents support their children through self-harm.

Her app, found free at www.caigraham.com/app

It is full of helpful and insightful podcasts for parents and teenagers alike, on issues such as Building Your Child’s Self-Confidence and Self Care Strengthens Your Resilience and also a Timeline Therapy for Teenagers: Removing Emotional Baggage

There are tips on How to Cope with Bereavement, Understanding Self-Harm, Discipline and Your Teenager and Hope to Cope with Cyber Bullying and even advice on How to Talk to your Child About Terrorism.

Calming It Down 5-4-3-2-1

Navigating the teenage years can be difficult for even the most grounded person. But at times everyone can feel overwhelmed by anything from difficulties with friendships to being plagued by anxiety and panic attacks.

Based on NLP (neuro linguistic programming – the way we communicate with ourselves) Pattern Interrupt, Cai takes app users through a quick and easy process of calming the mind down when it’s in chaos.

In just two or three minutes, whether you’re sitting in your bedroom or are on the bus on the way to school, it helps put the brakes on feelings of anger, anxiety, or if you feel like a panic attack is approaching, with all the accompanying physical symptoms like a racing heart and a tummy full of butterflies.

Called the 5-4-3-2-1 method, Cai gets people to count on their hand, starting with five, and directs them to think of five things you can see in your surrounding area, wherever you may be; then four things that you can touch; three things you can hear; two things you can smell; and finally one thing you can taste. Cai describes it as a way of diverting your mind to halt its path to a panic attack or a pattern of worry or anger and helps to retrain the brain away of the troubling and chaotic thoughts.

There are a range of regularly updated videos on the app and are quick and easy to use wherever you may be and at whatever time of the day or night you might need the support.

Find out more at www.caigraham.com and get her FREE download at  www.caigraham.com/app

Danske Bank raises £130,000 for children’s mental health promotion

Action Mental Health depends a great deal on corporate support to help fund our many and varied services delivered to all age groups right across Northern Ireland. And this week, during Children’s Mental Health Week, we are delighted to hear the announcement by one of our corporate partners, Danske Bank, that they have raised £130,000 for our Healthy Me programme over the past two years.

The money was raised by Danske Bank’s employees and customers since 2017 when it began to actively support Healthy Me, which aims to positively promote mental health and social and emotional well-being in 8-11 year olds.

To date, the £130,000 has helped bring Healthy Me to 1,928 children and 374 adults in 2018 and will reach a further 1,375 children and 195 teachers and parents this year.

Aisling Press, Head of Branch Banking at Danske Bank said: “We believe that as the largest bank in Northern Ireland we have a responsibility to contribute to the local communities we serve and play our part in addressing issues that affect wider society.

“In Northern Ireland one in five adults are affected by mental ill-health at some stage in their lives. But it is not just something that concerns adults, children are affected by mental health issues too. Research shows that 50% of all adult mental health problems are developed by the age of 14. Through our support of Action Mental Health’s Healthy Me, we want to improve the outlook for our future generation.”

Action Mental Health’s Chief Executive, David Babington added: “Just last month, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Ireland reported that children and young people’s mental health in Northern Ireland remains at crisis point. While this is extremely worrying, it reinforces the need for early intervention and educational programmes like Healthy Me.

“The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2019 is ‘Healthy: Inside and Out’ something that is reflected in our programmes for children and young people. We focus on promoting mental well-being alongside physical well-being, encouraging participants to engage in the five ways to well-being, to help support the development of coping skills and emotional resilience.

“We rely on Danske Bank’s support to enable us to deliver Healthy Me sessions across Northern Ireland and would like to thank them for their generosity.”

Vicky Logan, a P6 teacher at Oakfield Primary School in Carrickfergus which recently benefitted from Healthy Me, said: “We found the session with Action Mental Health incredibly valuable. Mental health issues can affect the youngest to the oldest in society but as adults we have better tools to cope with it. Healthy Me will have taught the pupils some important skills that they will be able to carry with them throughout their lives.”

The partnership between Danske Bank and Action Mental Health is set to continue in 2019 and includes volunteering, education initiatives for the charity’s clients and wellbeing support for Danske employees.