The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has been told that the region has the lowest spend per capita on mental health – with no sign of that position being reversed.

Action Mental Health was among the organisations giving evidence today to the NI Affairs Committee in London, as part of the Committee enquiry into health spending in Northern Ireland.

David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health told the Committee that Northern Ireland has the ‘highest incidence of mental health problems in the UK, and the lowest level of spending on mental health services.’ He told the Committee that the situation is ‘unsustainable.’

“The share of health spending which is invested specifically on mental health services in Northern Ireland is 6%. In England that percentage is almost 12% yet our incidence of mental health problems is 25% higher.

“In Scotland and Wales spending on mental health is also higher than in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland the Government has committed to an increase in mental health spending of 10%, significantly higher than the amount spent locally. Yet our need for investment in mental health well-being is higher than anywhere else in these islands

“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.

“If we were to match the English spending on mental health our investment would increase by £130m each year, yet our spending is falling rather than increasing.”

Today’s hearing comes almost a year after Action Mental Health traveled to Westminster to meet MPs from across the UK to lobby for additional funding.

“At that time, a meeting with the Secretary of State was promised , one year on we cannot even get a reply to a request for a meeting.”

The members of the NI Affairs Committee heard that the DUP Confidence and Supply money has not made the difference which was heralded at the time of the deal.

“Figures from the Department of Heath show that that money has been spent on meeting existing pressures rather than delivering any new services. The money is not guaranteed on a recurring basis so that does not allow for long term transformation. Rather than providing a boost for mental health provision locally, this money is a sticking plaster.”

“The trajectory of spending on mental health in Northern Ireland is downward. If we are serious about meeting local mental well-being needs that simply has to change.”

You can watch the Committee Hearing here.

Thinking of choosing a local charity to benefit from a donation while wishing your loved ones a very Merry Christmas? Action Mental Health knows that many people like to celebrate the joy of the festive season by sharing with others so this year we have created four beautiful seasonal cards to let you do both.

Just get in touch with our fundraising team 0289182 8494 or [email protected] and we’ll tell you all the ways you can donate and send you the E-card of your choice.

By choosing one of our Christmas cards you can send your family and friends an attractive festive greeting while also helping people reclaim their lives from mental ill-health and ensure the well-being of Northern Ireland’s future generations.

One in five people in Northern Ireland will experience a mental health difficulty in their lifetime so by buying our Christmas cards you’ll be supporting the wide range of services designed for people from primary school to their later years. Options include donations in lieu of either presents or cards.

£30 could pay for learning materials for a school class taking part in resilience awareness training

£100 could help pay for personal development sessions for adults recovering from mental ill health£

£300 could fund specialist mental health promotion sessions for up to 30 young people 

 Action Mental Health is proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading mental health charity, offering services across the region, for young and old alike, offering steps to employment, education,  training – and most of all, hope.

To order cards and donate email [email protected]

Action Mental Health has responded to a new study on the number of schools paying for mental health support for pupils as thousands of children across Northern Ireland report mental health issues. The report (see below) into the study by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) revealed that 79 schools which took part in the research collectively identified a total of more than 4,000 pupils with emotional health and well-being issues.

As a result many schools are paying for help from their own budgets, as they face long delays in accessing statutory help and intervention.

Amanda Jones, Operations Manager Resilience and Well-being commented: “Action Mental Health understands the challenges faced by parents, carers and teachers in supporting the mental health and well-being of children and young people. AMH deliver a range of programmes for children and young people which support promotion of positive well-being and early identification of mental and emotional health concerns.

“These programmes are designed to address a range of issues faced by children and young people experiencing their own transitions in our ever changing world including stress, body image and self – esteem and they have been shown to be effective in raising awareness, building resilience and increasing help-seeking. Through the support we receive from our funders and donations from the public we are able to deliver theses services across Northern Ireland for children, young people and their key contacts in primary, post primary and community setting. To find out more about our services or book a programme for your group contact us here at Action Mental Health, and while the sessions are delivered free of charge to schools, we rely on donations and fundraising by businesses and the local community to support the deliver of these sessions.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-46379273

Healthy Me Flyer

Action Mental Health is delighted to have scooped a trophy in this year’s Leadership and Governance Awards. The awards, organised by the VSB Foundation in partnership with CO3 and Volunteer Now, recognise voluntary organisations’ efforts to improve governance.

AMH won in the large category of the 2018 round, one of three categories, including small and medium-sized third sector organisations. Chief Executive David Babington attributed the win to the dedication of the charity’s Board of Directors.

Nora Smith, CEO, CO3 commented: “The Governance and Leadership Awards have substantially grown in profile.  Now in their 3^rd year this is the perfect platform to recognise and reward leadership and good governance at Board level.  We all know that charity governance makes a huge difference and by sharing examples of truly inspirational boards through these Awards it is fantastic recognition of their leadership, commitment and hard work.

“By shining a spotlight on the best of the sector, we want to demonstrate how effective governance can transform a charity and even more of the lives of its beneficiaries.  I am delighted to announce that in tandem to the overall prize, every nomination to the Awards this year will receive complimentary membership to the CO3 Trustee Network for the year.”

Chief Executive David Babington accepted the honour by paying tribute to Action Mental Health’s Board of Directors. “It’s great to see Third Sector leadership and governance being recognised. Hats off to all our board, who freely give of their time and expertise, and it is to them we are indebted for this award.

“The win is further testament to their great dedication and commitment in supporting Action Mental Health’s mission to support and promote positive mental health in Northern Ireland.”

Students on Belfast Met’s Childcare Level 2, Playwork CACHE and the Foundation Degree courses have been getting an insight into mental health and well-being through Action Mental Health’s Mindset programme.

AMH’s Mindset programme is a mental and emotional health and well-being awareness programme for young people aged 14-17 years and adults funded by the Public Health Agency. Its programmes are delivered to youth and community settings by AMH MensSana Project Workers.

The students were so impressed with the programme they decided to raise funds for Action Mental Health by hosting a Halloween fancy dress party – raising an impressive £556.56. Tutor Sakina Brennan, pictured with some of the spooky students, paid tribute to MensSana project worker Hannah for organising the programmes and supporting their fundraising. They also produced a great video, encapsulating their Mindset experience which you can view below:

With an impressive quarter century at Action Mental Health in Derry/Londonderry behind him, Service Manager, at AMH New Horizons Foyle, Mickie Harkin was among the staff recently rewarded for their commitment to the charity.

Mr Harkin began with Action Mental Health – then called the Industrial Therapy Organisation – 25 years ago as a Woodwork Instructor. He was promoted to acting Deputy Manager on October 19 1998, until March 31 a year later. He was appointed as official Deputy Manager on June 8, 2000 before his promotion to Service Manager on February 10, 2003.

Three other members of staff, Communications Manager Tricia Browne, and Service Managers Colin Loughran and Pauline Flanagan were also recognised for their service, each clocking up 15 years with Action Mental Health.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington commented: “As an organisation we are very fortunate to have a talented and highly committed team and this commitment is clearly demonstrated by these long-serving employees.

“This dedication and loyalty is seen across the organisation and it is vital to providing services to our clients and the wider community in Northern Ireland.

“We would also like to pay particular tribute to Mickie Harkin, who, after 25 years in various posts at New Horizons Foyle, is retiring from the organisation. I want to thank Mickie for his unwavering commitment and energetic approach to his pivotal role at Foyle and we wish him every success and happiness in his next chapter.”

“A passionate and committed man with unstinting enthusiasm for his clients,” is how some colleagues described Mickie, who bids farewell to the charity on 31^st October.

“A Derry man through and through,” is the affectionate description of some other staff members who have worked with him over the years.

Just this summer, the Foyle service where he spent a quarter of a century working for people with mental ill-health, passed the same silver anniversary milestone that Mickie has under his belt.

It’s been an eventful tenure at Foyle, for Mickie, who has witnessed many changes, the great and the good pass through his doors, but more importantly, he has been part of a team which have helped people with mental health issues reclaim their lives and acquire new hope.

One of Northern Ireland’s most popular chefs, Stephen Jeffers, has been unveiling the tricks of the culinary trade to future chefs at Action Mental Health.

Proprietor of the Forestside Cookery School, chef Jeffers visited with clients working toward their NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in Professional Cookery in New Horizons North Down and Ards.

Stephen hosted a masterclass in preparing a “fakeaway” type meal – sharing his flair for replicating a takeaway, for clients and staff alike keen to try it at home in their own kitchens.

The chef spent time talking to clients about working in the catering industry and gave them hints and tips for preparing healthy meals at home. His trademark wit and sense of fun made the day very enjoyable and he also encouraged clients to keep learning and enhancing their skills while still having a great time in the kitchen.

Emma Jayne Begley, Employment Officer at AMH said everyone was so grateful to Stephen for taking time out of his very busy schedule to give of his time and effort freely.

“It was it was a great opportunity to learn from an industry expert and the team was motivated and inspired to complete their training and progress further. Action Mental Health, New Horizons provide training opportunities for adults with mental ill-health who wish to return to employment, volunteering or further education. Stephen was able to make the event fun and engaging and we look forward to welcoming him back to New Horizons.”

The project the clients take part in is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy

Stephen said he was more than happy to offer a few tricks of the trade to AMH clients.

“It was a great morning seeing the people, training to enter the industry, producing what they did. There were a lot of smiles and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and I was delighted to offer my experience to help them along their journey.

The former restaurateur, who owned the popular and award-winning Jeffers by the Marina, in Bangor added: “I think we are all vulnerable to periods of mental ill-health, as I was myself a few years back so I’m very happy to support a local charity like Action Mental Health.”