Action Mental Health’s services have been busy providing mental health support this summer, and having some fun in the process.

The ‘Art of Recovery’ Photo Exhibition

On Monday 1 June, clients from Newtownards and Antrim came together to celebrate the launch of their joint art exhibition, the ‘Art of Recovery’.

Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, opened the Flax Gallery exhibition in Mossley Mill on her last day in office.

The exhibition ran until the end of June. All profits raised from the artwork support our local Action Mental Health services.

Get ready for Summer Event!

Our Lisburn service hosted a fantastic series of events, helping service users focus on well being, activity, connection, and planning for the months ahead.

Well-being. Participants took part in confidence and well being workshops, mindfulness and relaxation sessions, and self-care activities while collecting stamps in their well-being Passports. Everyone created their own Summer Vision Board and Bucket List, exploring their goals and identifying ways to overcome any barriers to achieving them.

Movement and Fun. The focus shifted to staying active with a range of challenges, including boccia target practice, bean bag toss, an egg relay race, balloon volleyball, and the exciting Tower of Tension challenge, where some participants truly excelled!

Discovery and Connection. Service users strengthened their communication skills through interactive sessions, enjoyed a creative activity, and revisited the 5 Ways to well-being, reinforcing positive habits for health and happiness.

We wrapped up by reviewing the Summer Bucket Lists and the plans that have put in place to help turn the goals into reality. The events concluded with a special presentation to celebrate those who successfully completed their well-being Passports.

Downpatrick Summer Party

Action Mental Health Downpatrick hosted a fantastic summer party at the end of July. There was plenty of friendly competition from welly wanging, giant bubble blowing, music and a BBQ to finish the day.

A huge thanks to Seana Kelsall for providing the music and Marcella from Community Tribal Drummers for the expert level giant bubble blowing. Both generously gave up their free time to provide us with first class entertainment.  Finally thank you to Linda – Community Champion from ASDA Downpatrick for providing fitting prizes for our welly wanging winners!

Are you passionate about mental health and wellbeing?

We’re looking for young people aged 15-25 to join Action Mental Health’s youth panel. Help us to raise awareness, create positive change and be a voice for young people across Northern Ireland.

We’d love to hear from you!

Tension and stress might be high for many heading back to school. If your child or loved one is feeling apprehensive about going back to school after Summer, consider the Seven Cs to help them rally the storm.

1. Conversation: talk about the return to school. Acknowledge any concerns or worries they may have but don’t forget to highlight the positives. Emotions are complex and giving your child a safe space to talk is important.
2. Connection: hold hands and hug your child and remember that their connection with you is the most important factor in the successful return to school. And just as friendships are crucial for everyone, children will thrive with the social interaction and play with their friends.
3. Calm: try to be a model of calm for your children. They are like sponges and look to the adults in their lives to learn how to respond to difficulties, so if you feel anxious you need to deal with that, whether by working on self-care, like meditation, exercise, or other healthy means of finding your own calm.
4. Coping: feeling worried, nervous and frightened from time to time is entirely normal and you can help your child overcome their fears by relaying a time when you felt the same way and how you overcame it. You can use your example as an opportunity to talk about coping strategies, like hobbies, breathing exercises, getting out into nature and exercising. Action Mental Health’s Schools & Community teams also promote useful methods to help children cope, like Grounding Techniques. Find out more about our programmes here.
5. Changes: when you consider everything that might change for your child at school, it’s useful to help your child write a list, to help prepare them for what lies ahead, including changes to the usual school day due to the continuing pandemic, like more handwashing; new routes and signs to allow children to observe social distancing; staggered arrival, departure and break times; changes to PE and games routines, plus increased outdoor learning.
6. Check in and monitor progress: without incessantly asking your child ‘how was your day?’ Instead, asking things like ‘tell me three good things that happened today’ while you are carrying out an activity is a great way of helping your child to open up.  
7. Celebrate success: praising successful coping strategies and behaviours is so important and leads to more of the same.

Find out more about our mental health and wellbeing programmes in school’s and communities, or other services available for children and young people.

For the second year running, Action Mental Health has triumphed at this year’s CIPR Pride awards by winning Gold in the coveted Healthcare and Public Affairs categories for its ambitious Regress, React, Resolve campaign.

Competing against some of Northern Ireland’s leading communications agencies, judges praised the widespread media attention AMH received for Regress, React, Resolve, which skilfully challenged Government to tackle underinvestment and fragmentation of mental health services in Northern Ireland.

As a direct result, the Northern Ireland Executive has pledged to improve mental health provision in the forthcoming Programme for Government, which has been hailed a milestone achievement by clients, organisations and healthcare professionals alike.

Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, David Babington said:

“We are honoured to be recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations for our efforts in driving the mental health agenda forward and ring fencing government funding for support services in Northern Ireland.

“We are proud to have been shortlisted amongst some of the largest and most successful communications agencies across the province and humbled to have been awarded first place in two categories. This serves as a testament to the talented and resourceful communications team we have in Action Mental Health, who I personally would like to thank for making this campaign a huge success through their hard work, dedication and creativity.”

 

Translink has announced Action Mental Health (AMH) as its new Charity Partner for the next three years. The local charity works to raise awareness of mental health and supports the many people affected right across Northern Ireland.

With one in four adults in Northern Ireland showing signs of mental illness at some stage in their lives and psychiatric support services facing funding challenges, this new partnership will be an opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of many people at a local level.

Announcing the new partnership, Translink’s Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said:

“Translink has a long history of supporting local charities up and down the country. We are delighted to now partner with Action Mental Health as our Corporate Charity who were nominated and selected by our employees.  Mental health is so important at every stage in life from childhood right through to adulthood and we look forward to developing this partnership.

“This is also a great fit to help us promote all the benefits of ‘active travel’ such as giving people regular physical exercise and more ‘me’ time with a walk to their local bus stop or train station as well as more time to socialise and connect with others on board our services – all positive ways to support your own mental wellbeing.

“I have been so proud of our staff in recent years who make a huge effort to get behind our chosen charity.  As a major employer and by working together our efforts can make a big difference for the benefit of others.   We already have an exciting calendar of events being planned with fundraising going towards the AMH – ‘Healthy Me’ Programme aimed at local primary school children to positively promote mental health, social and emotional wellbeing.

“Over £30,000 was raised in three years for our previous charity partner which is fantastic and I would encourage our staff and customers to get behind our new Action Mental Health partnership.”

In the last 5 years Translink employees have raised over £200k for a range of local charities across NI.

Action Mental Health’s Chief Executive David Babington commented on being appointed Translink’s Charity Partner:

“Action Mental Health is delighted to be chosen by Translink employees as their new charity partner. There are many people in Northern Ireland who have a mental illness or know someone impacted by it, so it’s fantastic to know that with the help of Translink’s staff and passengers we can raise the awareness of this serious issue even further and reach out to those who need our help most.”

Action Mental Health (AMH) warmly invites local residents to Clotworthy House, where three portraits from talented artist, Ross Thompson, will be auctioned to raise funds for the charity.

Entitled “Calibre 22” the event will take place on 10 October, when three multi-medium artworks depicting some of Northern Ireland’s most famous faces, such as Seamus Heaney and Queen Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, will be auctioned. Ross Thompson will also be showcasing other pieces of art as part of his “Art as Therapy” exhibition.

Harnessing his personal journey of mental resilience and recovery through the medium of pencil sketching and copper plate work, Ross is celebrating his return to art and design.

He said:

“I have experienced a number of traumas which left me questioning whether life was anything more than an endurance test. I found it extremely hard to cope both emotionally and psychologically as every aspect of my life was impacted by my mental ill-health, including my relationships and career.

“However, since attending AMH New Horizons I have started to feel more valued as a person and secure in my own skin. My Employment Officer, Anne McKernan, has been hugely encouraging and has given me the confidence to pursue my passion for art again.”

Located on Steeple Road, the New Horizons division of AMH (which is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy) provides support to those experiencing mental ill-health by aiding their recovery through employment, volunteering, training and advice.

Ross continued:

“The continuous care, support and understanding I receive from New Horizons has been amazing and I am grateful that such a life-changing service exists for those who are finding it difficult to cope mentally.”

Ross, who studied graphic design in Edinburgh, now works as a freelance artist in his home town of Coleraine.

John Davis, Services Manager of AMH New Horizons Antrim, said:

“Art can often be the key to unlocking motivation and positivity for people who have low self-esteem and poor mental well-being.

“New Horizons therefore provides a supportive, encouraging and safe environment where everyone has a voice and a creative platform to express themselves and support each other through their journey.

“We are incredibly proud of Ross and are in awe of his talent for creating such beautiful pieces of art, which we are sure will impress those who come to admire it also.”

The exhibition will be on display in Clotworthy House, Antrim.

If you are unemployed, living with a mental illness and are interested in taking part in the New Horizons Employment Program, contact your Community Mental Health team, Condition Management team or Jobs and Benefits advisor, and ask for a referral to the service.

To take part in New Horizons Employment Program email [email protected] or call 028 94428081.

Cycling enthusiasts are invited to put their endurance skills to the test by competing in the annual Granite Challenge event to help raise funds for Action Mental Health (AMH).

 

Taking place on Sunday 2nd October at 10am, the long distance cycle will commence shortly in advance of World Mental Health Day with proceeds going towards the charity’s Men’s Shed project.

 

The money raised will enable AMH to provide men aged 60 and over with a friendly and inclusive environment where they can enjoy each other’s company while working on a variety of activities such as joinery, photography and gardening in a bid to form new friendships and learn new skills.

 

Supported by cycling club La Lanterne Rouge, cyclists will be put through their paces by embarking on a 55 mile route that starts at AMH’s New Horizons Service in Downpatrick, through the scenic surroundings of the Mournes and Spelga Dam before returning back home via Bryansford, Maghera and Clough.

 

Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, David Babington said:

 

“Any form of physical activity plays a huge role in not only keeping our bodies fit, but our minds healthy as well. With as many as one in four people in Northern Ireland experiencing mental ill-health at some stage in 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.

 

“With this year’s World Mental Health Day theme being Dignity in Mental Health, we couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute other than hosting a large scale sporting event that unites the community in a show of support for those impacted by mental illness.

 

“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 almost doubles, so we are very much looking forward to participating and sharing in what is sure to be another highly motivating experience for all involved.”

 

Food and refreshments will be provided for on the day, with the added benefit of a soothing sports massage at the finish line for competitors, kindly provided by North Down Physio and Sports Injury Clinic.

 

AMH ambassador, Therapie Miss NI, Emma Carswell said:

 

“I am delighted to be an ambassador for AMH and support the famous Granite Challenge!

 

“Mental ill-health is a growing issue here in Northern Ireland, but those who are living with it often feel unable to speak out and seek the support they need due to the stigma that still exists.

 

“It’s important for people to know that in difficult times they are not alone, so what better way to show family, friends and colleagues that you want to change the conversation and be vocal about mental health, than taking part in The Granite Challenge on behalf of a great cause such as The Men’s Shed Project.”

 

Entrance fee is £20 which includes a delicious tea stop at Spelga Dam where all your favourite tray bakes and sweet treats await, followed by a freshly prepared lunch at the finish line.

 

Spaces are limited so register your interest now by clicking on www.granitechallenge16.eventbrite.co.uk

 

If you wish to volunteer for this event please contact Callum Clark on [email protected] for details on how to get involved.

 

Earlier this month, Action Mental Health (AMH) New Horizons Belfast hosted a certificate presentation day to celebrate the individual achievements of clients.

 

Located in Belfast city centre, the New Horizons service (which is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy, and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust) provides life changing services to those experiencing mental ill-health by aiding their recovery through employment, volunteering, training, support and advice.

 

Presenting clients with a range of OCNNI, BCS and City and Guilds certificates, Service Manager Joanne Stroud said:

 

“It’s an honour to celebrate with clients who through their own hard work, determination and drive, have gained transferable skills that will open up opportunities in terms of their personal and professional development.

 

“When trying to overcome the often debilitating effects of mental illness, it is important to remember that support from loved ones and services like AMH New Horizons are vital in the recovery process.

 

“Not only is it inspirational to see so many people develop new skills which will be helpful to them both in the workplace and in their personal  lives, but also to see the improvements in their mental well-being.

 

“This provides reassurance to others who are perhaps experiencing hard times that with the right support and encouragement, anything is achievable.”

 

David Babington, Chief Executive of AMH added:

 

“Over the course of the last year we have witnessed how much our clients have grown professionally and in their own personal resilience.

 

“In the last year, 75 new clients joined our New Horizons service in Belfast, achieving 329 units or full awards of accreditation in a range of vocational areas.

 

“Research shows that as many as one in four people in Northern Ireland will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.

 

“We at AMH New Horizons therefore connect with organisations to create employment and volunteering opportunities for clients who are recovering from a mental illness and want to re-join the workforce.

 

“Our long-term vision is to break down the barriers of stigma and isolation by encouraging more people to open up and talk about mental illness and integrating individuals back into society.

 

“We are hugely proud of our clients’ incredible achievements this year and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

 

If you are unemployed, living with a mental illness and are interested in taking part in the New Horizons Programme, contact your Community Mental Health team, Condition Management team or Jobs and Benefits advisor, and ask for a referral to the service.

 

To find out more visit the AMH website at www.amh.org.uk or call the New Horizons Belfast service on 02890278283.