All posts by actionmentalhealth

Events

Regress? React? Resolve? – Time to Resolve!

Branding copy

Northern Ireland’s First Mental Health Summit

24th February 2016
09.30 – 15.30
Stormont Hotel, Belfast

On 24th February 2016, Action Mental Health will be hosting Northern Ireland’s first Mental Health Summit. The event will focus on the future of our mental health services and provide delegates the opportunity to influence the future of Departmental Mental Health Strategy in NI.

Through this process we aim to prioritise Mental Health in the next Programme for Government and gain a commitment to resolving mental health service provision during the life of the new Assembly.

 “Let’s resolve Mental Health ……. together”

The Mental Health Summit is Northern Ireland’s most senior-level, private networking debate forum focusing exclusively on improving our Mental Health Services.

This invitation-only, one day summit will bring together representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Justice, Mental Health Professionals, MLAs, Commissioners, Voluntary and Community Sector reps and service users. The summit will focus on key themes resulting from AMH’s Recent research Project – Regress? React? Resolve? – An evaluation of mental health service provision, published in October 2015.

We are now in the ‘Resolve’ phase of our project. Having launched the Queens University report in October, we have briefed departmental officials, and widely publicized our findings.

Now it is time to move on and take the findings of the report, and drive forward into the process of influencing the next Programme for Government.

The summit will enable us to demonstrate what needs to be done, how it can be achieved and the impact of concerted action on resolving the deficiencies in mental health policy in Northern Ireland.

The DHSSPSNI has committed to considering all of our proposals in advance of the forthcoming programme for government.

All attendees will hear a presentation on the detail of the report, hear the Minister for Health, Simon Hamilton’s response and hear from Natasha Devon, MBE, mental health champion for Schools across England. Attendees will be participants in a workshop-style, interactive, well-moderated group discussion.  We are looking for participants who will voice opinions, raise hard questions, and contribute to a working document which we will be submitting to the Department of Health and Health Minister.

It’s time to stop the drift in mental health services, to tackle under investment, fragmentation and lack of direction. Come to the Mental Health Summit for Northern Ireland and be part of the drive to Resolve mental health service provision.

To register you interest please email [email protected]

Invitation

Making the big push to resolve Mental Health Service Provision - Chair of the Health Committee Maeve McLaughlin MLA, AMH Chief Executive David Babington and AMH Communications Officer Amy Black.
Making the big push to resolve Mental Health Service Provision – Chair of the Health Committee Maeve McLaughlin MLA, AMH Chief Executive David Babington and AMH Communications Officer Amy Black.
AMH News

‘EDYTATHLON’ raises £352.42

Craig Connor completed his mini triathlon event; ‘EDYTATHLON’ honoring his late wife, Edyta, raising a staggering £352.42. The mini triathlon which consisted of a 5K treadmill, 5K bike and 5K on the rower, took place in the Manor House Hotel and Killyhevlin Hotel, Fermanagh. Craig also ran a raffle, well done to the winners: 1st Sally Rees & 2nd Nigel Glover. Craig would like to thank everyone who took part & helped him to raise awareness of mental health!!!

Thank you very much Craig!!! We deeply appreciate your donation & support! #TakingActionOnMentalHealth

Read Craig’s story below:

“In memory of my beautiful wife Edyta, I have organised a fundraising event to raise awareness of Mental Health Illness and hopefully reduce the stigma associated with it.
With physical activity being one of the best ways to combat the symptoms of many mental health illnesses, I wanted to arrange an event that would encourage this. The EDYTATHLON consists of three CV exercises (Treadmill, Bike & Rower), with each participant trying to complete a total of 15k (Ideally 5k on each). However, as the primary goal of the EDYTATHLON is to increase physical activity and improve the self-esteem / motivation levels of people who don’t get regular exercise, I want to include as many people as possible. Therefore, this 15k can be completed in a single day or accumulated throughout the week, and may also be completed on one, two or three CV exercises”

AMH News

AMH Gears Up To Put A Stop To “On The Rip” Culture

On the RipAMH’s Boost Programme in Fermanagh launches “On the Rip”, a unique community arts project aimed at young people.

By exploring the medium of art, a group of young people will transform a scrap car by ripping it apart and creating a dramatic, show stopping art installation.

Caroline Ferguson, AMH Service Manager explained:

 “Over the next few months this programme, funded by the Public Health Agency, will take a creative approach to tackling the local lad and ladette culture of going “on the rip” which is a growing concern amongst locals in the Fermanagh area.

“On the Rip will address alcohol and recreational drug use, physical fitness, road safety and drink driving, and the resultant legacy of lives being ripped apart.

“Although we are going to be tackling some very serious subjects, we fully intend to have a lot of fun with this programme and I can’t wait to see the final art piece.”

On the Rip will also incorporate the “5 ways to wellbeing model” which encourages young people to stay connected, be active, continue learning, be kind and stop and take notice.

If you would like to be involved in the programme, and are aged 18 – 30, or of you have a car which you would like to donate to the charity  give Rosemary Cupples,  AMH skills coach,  a call on T028 6632 3630, or email [email protected].

Events

 

giving tuesday

Action Mental Health has joined the global campaign #GivingTuesday.

Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back; taking place on Tuesday 1st December 2015. The Tuesday after #BlackFriday & #CyberMonday we are asking individuals, families, businesses, community centers, and students to give something back.

You can simply make an online secure donation by clicking here or if you’re doing something sponsored you can create your own fundraising page through JustGiving.

Here are some fundraising ideas to get you started:

  • Have a dress down in work or a Christmas Jumper day
  • Organise a quiz night
  • Wear fancy dress on the commute to work
  • Ask you friends or family to guess how many jelly beans in a jar
  • Start some healthy competition with a football match: HR vs PR
  • Hold a coffee morning
  • Organise a sponsored walk
  • Nominate your teacher or boss to get their legs waxed
  • Organise a spelling bee

We know funds can be tight at this time of year so why not simply raise awareness of mental health through social media.

Your generosity will help Action Mental Health to support the resilience and recovery of 1 in 4 people in Northern Ireland who are affected by mental ill health. We deeply appreciate your support!!

Don’t forget to let our Events & Fundraising Officer, Callum know what you are up [email protected] 02891828494 and if you’re doing any social media tag us @amhNI and use the hashtag #GivingTuesday

 

 

AMH News

Wilson Group Raise Over £11,000 for Mental Health

 

The healthcwilson groupare division of Wilson Group has presented Action Mental Health with a cheque for an incredible £11,634.04.

 

Employees from the nursing homes located in Belfast, Bangor, Whitehead and Larne collectively raised the substantial sum of money from a catalogue of fun-filled fundraisers including a corporate clay shooting day with local celebrity Pamela Ballantine.

 

The proceeds will go towards teaching members of the community in Northern Ireland about the importance of mental health and emotional wellbeing.

 

Celebrating the success of the charity partnership, Chief Executive of Wilson Group, Desmond Wilson said:

 

“It is a great pleasure to present this cheque to AMH who do an amazing job supporting individuals living with mental ill-health by giving them the tools needed to get back onto the career ladder and realise their ambitions.

 

“In our profession, mental ill-health is something we come across every day, which is why we are extremely passionate about promoting positive wellbeing and breaking down the barriers of social stigmatisation that people with a condition can unfortunately experience.

 

“For this reason, we are delighted to have played a part in not only helping to raise funds for Action Mental Health, but also bring awareness to the mental health issues that thousands of people across Northern Ireland face and open it up for discussion.”

 

Research has shown that one in five adults in Northern Ireland will show signs of mental ill-health at some stage in their lives and is 25% more prevalent here than in England.

 

Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, David Babington said:

 

“We cannot thank Wilson Group enough for being such a fantastic support in the last year and for being so creative in all their fundraising efforts.

 

“There has been a tremendous amount of camaraderie amongst Wilson Group staff and we have had so much fun working closely alongside them in what has been a hugely successful charity partnership.

 

“Everyone who took part in this year’s fundraising events deserves credit for their achievements and it has been a privilege to share the adventure with them.

 

“The money raised will enable us to continue our hard work in providing life-changing services from 12 locations in Northern Ireland and teach members of our society about the importance of mental health.”

 

Testimonials

“Believe in yourself”

A BoyleFormer AMH Client, Aidan was invited back to AMH New Horizons in Foyle to share his experiences and journey of engaging with the service. Aidan talked openly to clients about how he came to need the service, his first day, his feelings, the thoughts that were running through his mind, the settling in process, building trust and undertaking accredited training. Aidan gave an insight to his previous career as a painter and decorator and then went on to explain how by attending Foyle and developing new skills, undertaking personal development courses and engaging with the employment officer he slowly began to turn his life around again.

He explained how Valerie the employment officer discussed several potential options before he finally settled on the self employment route. Aidan explained that the crafts area and skills he developed within Foyle got him hooked on the possibility of creating his own niche products.

In Aidan’s words the rest is history –

 “I set up Mindcrafts, named in direct reference to the importance of keeping the mind occupied and acknowledging my time in New Horizons”.

Aidan not only produces pieces of saleable art and crafts but has also become a tutor with “Time 2 Choose”, a project that aims to address risk in the lives of young people, their families and the wider community through support, education, mediation, prevention and early intervention .

Aidan’s message is,

“believe in yourself, the staff here are here to help, take it, take it all.  It was tough leaving here but I’m glad I did. Don’t get me wrong, recovery won’t just happen overnight, I, along with all the help, support and guidance, had to work hard to recover but believe me it’s not impossible”.

Events

Together For You Campaign

Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength

Mens Health AdTogether For You throughout the month of November are running a campaign to encourage Men to look after their mental health and wellbeing by seeking help early.  By asking the question “Are you trying to remain strong and silent?”, Together For You is encouraging men to talk, to ask for help or to simply say to a friend or loved one “I’m not feeling myself”. Together For You is a mental health and wellbeing project funded by the Big Lottery Fund providing services across Northern Ireland.

The stigma that surrounds mental health in addition to the reluctance to admit there is something wrong is quite literally killing men, who are three times more likely to die by suicide than women (77% of those who completed suicide in Northern Ireland between 2005 and 2011 were men). Men are also three times less likely to visit their GP and four times less likely to visit a pharmacist than women (National Statistics, 2015). This stereotypical view that men should remain ‘strong and silent’ needs to change, which this campaign hopes to highlight also.  Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength!

Speaking out and challenging the stigma of mental health is courageous, and doing so may just help to save not only your life, but the lives of other men who are suffering in agonising, lonely silence.

Dan’s story highlights that help does help……

“I have been in long term depression since 2002. I felt like no one could help as they didn’t understand. This left me isolated even more, which made the spiral downwards worse”

I then asked for help and received 10 weeks of counselling support through the Together For You project with Relate counselling to try and bring about a little awareness and understanding about how to deal with myself on an everyday basis. The counsellors helped by having an impartial view of the situation, teaching me about overcoming any problems by looking down on the problem and not seeing it from one angle only but many different views.

Counselling works but only if you let it. It can’t be used as a tool to prove you are right and the other person is wrong. It is used to be enlightening, to help you see others perceptions and maybe a perception you didn’t think of, hence you are learning about yourself.”

Other men who have been brave and asked for help have said:

“Without help, today I would maybe still be in my bedroom in my parents’ house avoiding the world instead of contributing to it and being part of it”, Michael (Together For You Beneficiary)

“Before getting help I felt frightened, confused, sad, no energy, low self esteem. Now I best describe myself as: happy, confident, high energy, motivated, high self esteem…..Loving Life!”, Jerry (Together For You Beneficiary).

So if you notice that you are feeling more stressed, sad, angry or agitated, feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, overly tired or detached from friends or family, it could be early warning signs of mental ill-health not to be ignored.

Help is available. Pick up the phone or drop us a short email

Call 028 9032 9150 or email [email protected] or visit www.togetherforyou.org.uk

AMH News

Read Between the Lines – Sold Out!!

P Ross Auction-15The auction of ‘Read Between the Lines’ by artist Pat Ross in association with AMH New Horizons Foyle took place on Friday night in the Playhouse, Derry after a year-long tour around Northern Ireland.

 

Read Between the Lines” was launched in The Play House on Friday 10th October 2014. The exhibition went on tour and was displayed in a host of different venues across Northern Ireland including Magee University, Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Hall, Libraries NI, Northern Ireland Assembly, The Guildhall-Derry and many more.  Throughout the tour, one question was continually asked; Where can we buy a copy? Are they for sale? Well on Friday the public got their chance and all the prints were sold.   At the start of the year Pat stated that he wanted the prints to be sold with all the monies raised coming directly to Action Mental Health and so far almost £700 has been raised! Thank you to everyone who has been involved, and special thanks and good luck to the very talented Pat Ross!