Looking Back – Christmas 2011

Our Christmas Celebrations got off to a wonderful start, when AMH were invited to take part in the “annual switching-on of the Christmas lights” in Parliament Buildings.  The event, hosted by The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, was dedicated to people who face the daily challenge of living with mental health issues and attended by a range of guests including the Health Committee and other Mental Health Organisations.

The Speaker welcomed his guests, and Ann Donnelly, who works closely with AMH in Craigavon & Banbridge, kicked off the evening by performing a monologue entitled “Persona Non Grata”.  David Babington, CEO AMH then spoke briefly about the work of AMH, followed by Bronagh McVeigh from AMH New Horizons Newry, who talked about living with mental ill health and her road to recovery.  The evening concluded with Dinner.

David Babington said, 

“I’d particularly like to thank the Speaker for recognising the important issue of mental health.  Mental Illness is not going to go away, quite the contrary, the number affected in our community is growing and likely to increase particularly in these challenging economic times. At this festive event, it is worth pausing and thinking how all of us can work together to help those people living with mental ill health. “