Action Mental Health has launched its new mental health promotion programme for Primary Schools called ‘Healthy Me’. The initiative is designed to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing amongst Key Stage 2 children in the school setting, and provide them with the skills, coping strategies and resilience to prevent poor mental health.. The programme was launched at Carrick Primary School in Lurgan by Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington who said that the programme will help prepare primary school children for the stresses of transfer test and big changes in their educational life,

“Transition from primary to secondary school is a particularly stressful time for children and we believe that targeting the programme at P6/P7 children will help them cope with this transition. This approach is consistent with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence public health guidance which highlights that ‘children’s social and emotional well-being affects not only their mental health but also their physical health and can determine how well they do at school’. Modern life is stressful and can impact on mental health, so implementing strategies for protecting children from stress and helping them learn to cope with change is an extremely positive influence on their young lives. We hope to see the programme adopted across Northern Ireland in the not too distant future.”

Sinn Fein MLA Catherine Seeley who sits on both the Health and Education Committees at Stormont attended launch and warmly welcomed the initiative,

“As a former teacher I understand the importance of improving the mental well-being of our young people. We must ensure our young people feel confident enough to speak out and to discuss their emotions. Transitioning to secondary school can be life changing for a young person so I particularly welcome this programmes emphasis on transition.”

Alison Lindsay, Principal at Carrick PS, looks forward to the finalised Programme being rolled out. ‘

We know that the ‘Healthy Me’ resource will help our staff to identify at an early stage those children who are experiencing mental distress and provide sources of support by working with other agencies. We firmly believe this programme will improve children’s emotional literacy, Promote equality of mental health with physical health and support children as they move from primary to secondary school.”

A range of topics are covered using a mixture of games, small-group activities and discussion, including:

• What is health?
• Healthy body, healthy minds.
• .Coping strategies and accessing help.

The programme aims to promote awareness of emotional wellbeing and positive mental health, to provide teachers with basic training in promoting social and emotional wellbeing, and to encourage help-seeking behaviour among children and help them to identify sources of support.

Healthy Me emerged from the recognition of an unmet need in local primary schools. It was developed using modified elements of the secondary school mental health promotion programme run by AMH MensSana (Provoking Thought) and drawing on existing evidence based initiatives to promote emotional health and wellbeing among the 7–11 year old age group. The programme is delivered as an interactive workshop to Year 6 and Year 7 pupils.

Healthy Me has been developed in Northern Ireland through a collaboration between Action Mental Health (AMH) MensSana, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (NI) Public Engagement Committee (RCPsych NI) and Step 2 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

We were delighted to be joined by pupils and staff from St Oliver Plunkett School, Belfast who have participated in the Healthy Me Programme and made this amazing video about their experience!

The Brownlow Festival Committee, who organise the annual Brownlow Festival held a cheque presentation ceremony last week to celebrate the committee’s fundraising efforts. The festival’s designated charity this year was Action Mental Health (AMH).

Over 1000 visitors enjoyed taking part in the  week long festival  which ran from 27^th August to 3rd September.  The extensive programme of activities included a fantastic fun day at the Brownlow Hub, an art exhibition, a relaxing picnic at Moyraverty Centre; a nostalgic vintage tea dance and a tasty cookery demonstration!

Generous attendees made donations which amounted to an impressive £435.

Mr Gerry McIlroy, Chair of the Festival Committee explained why they had chosen Action Mental Health as the beneficiary charity:

“The issue of mental health is sometimes hidden. It is important to recognise that mental ill-health can happen to anyone at any time and Brownlow Festival Committee is proud to support this worthy cause”

Specifically, the festival organisers were keen for the money raised to be spent locally to highlight and support this important cause.

Fittingly, AMH Fundraising and Events Officer, Callum Clark announced that the funds would be allocated to the charity’s ‘New Horizons’ Service in Craigavon and Banbridge.

Callum stated “We cannot thank the members of the Brownlow Festival Committee and its visitors enough for choosing Action Mental Health to benefit from their efforts and kind donations”.

He continued, “AMH New Horizons helps people to overcome the effects of mental ill-health and in many cases return to work. Our Craigavon and Banbridge Service offers a range of recognised qualifications, training, personal development programmes, social and recreational activities. This donation will benefit local people who are on the path to recovery from mental ill-health”.

Valued members of the AMH team recently celebrated their silver anniversary with AMH.  In recognition of 25 years service, each of them were presented with a memento to celebrate the occasion.

We are very lucky to have such dedicated and passionate staff – congratulations and thank you to each and every one!

Clients from AMH New Horizons, North Down & Ards have been very busy in recent months, developing, scripting, filming and acting in their own short film which portrays some of the difficulties of living with mental health issues. Local film maker, Michael MacBroom worked with the group to develop their ideas and concepts into the short film which is to be screened at Belfast City Hall on Tuesday 11^th of October, as a fun and final event in a series of World Mental Health Day activities promoting mental health awareness. The special guests will be Deputy Lord Mayor Mary Ellen Campbell and Brian D’Arcy – writer, newspaper columnist and broadcaster, and everyone is encouraged to wear something bight and colourful to the event.

The film illustrates the restrictions that a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety, or long term conditions such as fibromyalgia, can place on an individual’s life. As part of the process, the film crew also looked at the positive things all of the clients in AMH had in their lives – their ONE THING – the thing, person, activity or place which helps them to push forward, that they can focus on, that makes a not-so-good day brighter and enables recovery. While their ‘one thing’ does not make all their problems go away, it can lessen the impact and help them to get through difficult times. The film is titled ONE THING as the film crew wished to focus on the most positive message in the film. The film project also involved the exploration of colour and our associations with it, through the creation of prints with a local artist, Eimear McCann. The film and artworks will be on show at the event in City Hall and the short film will be distributed across mental health and wellbeing agencies.

A civic reception and the use of Belfast City Hall has kindly been provided by Belfast City Council. The film has been part funded by North Down and Ards Borough Council through their Arts Grants Programme.   AMH is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.

Speaking about her experience, Caroline Fraser said, “I’ve really enjoyed being part of this project. The film maker has been so patient, I’ve learned so much and the group has really gelled and we are all really understanding how it all fits together now. I don’t want this project to end.”

Colin Wright also agreed, “It’s been extremely fun learning about the film-making process and how much work goes into making even a very short film!”

This trailer for the film – a one minute teaser – will be played on the big screen in the grounds of City Hall periodically between 9am and 9pm on 10^th and 11^th October 2016. ONE THING will premiere on Tuesday 11^th of October, 10.30am at the event inside Belfast City Hall

Those interested in attending should contact [email protected]

Join in the conversation on Social Media #livelife #infullcolour #onething