Targeted Supports to Families during the Pandemic

Action Mental Health’s counselling service, AMH New Life Counselling delivers vital and life-changing counselling services in some of the most disadvantaged areas across Belfast, providing support at this time of need to communities and clients hardest hit by COVID-19.

Over the last 12 months of the lockdown, many clients have experienced an increase in psychological stress due to the negative impact of the pandemic. It’s recognised that the gaps in health inequalities have grown, and many of our clients, who are unemployed or in low paid work, have faced considerable financial struggles to make ends meet.

As a result of funding from Department of Health, Belfast Protect Life Implementation Group (BPLIG) has enabled a city wide response via a number of agencies including AMH/New Life Counselling, to support clients at their time of need.

Clients in receipt of counselling or bereavement services who have been struggling financially during the pandemic have been given a practical boost with the gift of emergency food hampers and helpful mental health resource pack.

AMH New Life Counselling will help lift the burden of COVID-19 a little and stay connected with clients providing access to services remotely while they wait for face-to-face counselling to resume.

Team leader with AMH New Life Counselling, Sarah Grant-Jones, explains: “For many of our clients already struggling financially, COVID-19 has brought additional challenges. The food hampers have provided not only practical help but also the offer of mental and emotional support through the resource leaflet that accompanied it. At a time when connection is challenged we have been able to show that we care and that we are still listening!”

Frances Dowds Emotional Health & Wellbeing Manager, Public Health Agency said: “This is one of three initiatives BPLIG have supported to address the needs of our community, city wide. A leaflet targeting  GPs will also raise awareness of bereavement services available across the city and joint work on improving access to services for families bereaved as a result of drugs and alcohol, is also moving forward. Working through local agencies such as Action Mental Health enables practical supports to be targeted to those in receipt of services who need them most.”

AMH New Life Counselling, is committed more than ever, to supporting the emotional health and well-being needs of clients. Services are provided through a caring, compassionate and non-judgemental counselling support service, at a time when people need it most.

For further information on the services AMH New Life Counselling provides, please check out our website: www.amh.org, which continues to work in communities hardest hit by the pandemic.