The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘tackling loneliness’. Hosting a Great Big Purple Picnic and getting out together in the fresh air and engaging with the Five Ways of Wellbeing * are positive ways to tackle loneliness and of course raise vital funds to support the work of Action Mental Health.
The Five Ways of Wellbeing *
Connect Give Take Notice Be Active Keep Learning
*The Five Ways to Wellbeing was developed by the New Economic Foundation. It is a set of evidence based actions to improve personal wellbeing.
Some great fun ideas are available in our Resource Pack which will be emailed to you upon registration.
We are encouraging our friends old and new to sign up and take part and are also delighted to be supported by Henderson Group for the Great Big Purple Picnic 2022.
As part of this support, any school registering will be automatically entered into our free prize draw to win one of six Henderson Group Great Big Purple Picnic Packs (one per county). The draw takes place by 1st May 2022 and the winning schools will be contacted to receive collection or delivery of their prize that they can enjoy at their picnic.
Further materials and merchandise are available upon request.
If at this point you have any questions, contact the team at [email protected]
Kathi is taking part in the Working it Out project at AMH New Horizons North Down and Ards. Below she tells us a little bit about the benefits and joy she has gained from taking on an OCN Level 2 Award in Floristry…
“Approximately 13 years ago I finished my third, third level qualification and jokingly said to my colleagues ‘The next course I do will be flower arranging or something else pleasant!!’
Fast forwards 13 years and I have had two break downs, I have been diagnosed with a range of mental illness’, I no longer work, I attend Action Mental Health New Horizons for support and I am studying for an OCN Level 2 Award in Floristry!!
This course has rewarded me in so many ways. I have, despite my self-doubt, panic attacks and tears completed a range of tasks in a set time frame!! I have felt a sense of pride in my achievements. I have enjoyed learning new skills and the two hours a week where I was able to focus on the task in hand and not have to deal with my bouncing, revolving anxious brain. I have enjoyed the creativity and have been able to make decisions. I have been able to be comfortable in the presence of strangers who were alsoworking on the course, knowing that we had the shared experience of suffering from mental illness and that we didn’t need to talk about it. There were times when I was crushed by the sensation that I was not capable of completing the award, but with the amazing support of the tutor I battled on through and succeeded.
Now when I buy a bunch of flowers I no longer open them and dump them in the vase,vase,vase! I arrange them! And I smile every time as it is a reminder of my success.
Kathi”
Kathi also produced this lovely little video about her course, capturing some stunning images along the way:
The “Working it Out” project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy and the five NI Health & Social Care Trusts.
Service manager at AMH New Horizons, Michelle Bolton, (right) assisting a client at the busy service
A client at Action Mental Health’s New Horizons in Lisburn said her unsung key worker literally saved her life during the pandemic.
Carol McGoran’s partner died shortly before the pandemic and when she most needed support, she found it, among staff and fellow clients at the charity.
Carol, a mother of two, found much more besides at the service, located at Railway Street in the city centre – namely a new zest for life and renewed hopes for the future, prospects she said had died when she lost her partner of ten years.
Carol, aged 60, is one of the almost 1500 adults aged 18 and over who are steered back to better mental health every year, with the support of the nine AMH New Horizons located across Northern Ireland.
AMH New Horizons support the recovery of adults experiencing mental ill health who are interested in progressing towards further education, training or employment. Clients take part in a range of courses, from therapeutic classes like arts and crafts, to accredited training and work placements through the “Working it Out” project. Working it Out is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy and the five NI Health & Social Care Trusts.
Carol was able to begin working it out for herself when she arrived at AMH New Horizons Lisburn.
“I was going through a lot of personal problems stemming back to when I was a child and the doctor referred me to AMH and then just after I joined the Lisburn service my partner died.
“I have a key worker called Mandy and when my partner died she was the first person I talked to. She has been a real life saver. When Covid struck she was really there for me, on the other end of the phone and she saved my life so many times when I felt suicidal. I still had her support when the lockdown meant AMH New Horizons had to close down to us coming in in person,” she said.
Nervous
“When I first came here I was very nervous. When you come in everyone has their own problems, but I quickly made great friends and got great support from them. They have their own issues but you are able to help each other.
“Every day that I leave this place I am so happy, and I’m not only saying that, I really do feel that. I can’t wait for the next day and it encourages me to get out of bed and get on with things.
“When my partner died I couldn’t’ get up in the morning; there was just no point in trying anything at the time, but AMH New Horizons has been a life saver, 100%.
“Doctors and nurses in the hospitals are top of the ladder saving people’s lives but in my opinion the key workers in AMH New Horizons were certainly saving lives, just being on the end of the phone in the lockdown, dealing with people’s anxieties and uncertainties.
“They are the unsung silent saviours,” she said.
To date, Carol has been enjoying a number of courses available at AMH New Horizons and is engaging with the Employment Officer. She recently started to attend the Women’s Tech where she plans to volunteer in the near future.
Carol McGoran, busy updating her skills at AMH New Horizons Lisburn
Support
Susanne Berrill first came to Action Mental Health New Horizons after what she described as a ‘so-called breakdown’. But she soon came to realise that her poor mental health was due to the impact of a difficult marriage which also had her seeking the support of Women’s Aid.
First a client at AMH New Horizons North Down & Ards, Susanne, a mother of two grown up boys, gleaned a great deal of comfort from her time there. But following a house move to the Lisburn area, a fire at her flat combined with a number of other personal issues had her reaching out for AMH’s support once again.
“I can’t say enough about AMH New Horizons. The support they give you on a one-to-one basis is so amazing, not just in improving your mood but for improving you overall. There’s so much empathy, but in a positive way. They allow you to be ill, when you feel ill – it’s OK to not be OK all the time and not every place allows you that. But they help you realise you will not always feel that way, and that you will get better,” she said.
“Very often, talking to other clients at break and during the courses, really does make a difference too. When you know you are not the only one it really does help.”
Looking back at my time with AMH New Horizons, Susanne recalls being apprehensive before taking that first step towards recovery.
“Before I started I was nervous, but I have always had the attitude that you have to try to help yourself, so I was willing to give it a go,” she said.
Like all clients who attend AMH New Horizons, Susanne has been able to supplement her education with the help of accredited courses she has undertaken.
“On top of all the courses I have done here, I was supported to go to Lisburn tech to do a course in counselling skills, and also an entry level degree in mental health. Though I don’t think I want to go down that route for a future career, it is a good thing to have done.”
A former hairdresser, Susanne now suffers health issues which prevent her from continuing in that field, but she remains optimistic of the future, nonetheless.
“My keyworker encouraged me to learn to do nails so I have another potential employment opportunity which I can pursue when I have fully recovered. I also engaged with the Employment Officer who supported me and set up a voluntary placement with the Atlas Centre. This gives me the opportunity to use my skills and help people.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever work again but as long as I can do the volunteering, then that’s fine, because I love helping people.”
“I’ve done all the courses I wanted to and now I’m happy to move on to just the volunteering but I know that if I need them at Action Mental Health they are there for me and I can phone them or touch base if I feel I need it. It’s like a crutch, a lifeline and it’s great to have them in the background if I need them.
“It’s just such a great organisation.”
Susanne Berrill
Priority
AMH New Horizons really does offer a lifeline to clients through routine, structure and hope, the new manager at AMH New Lisburn, Michelle Bolton reiterated.
“Mental health has increasingly come under the spotlight since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, but at Action Mental Health, the wellbeing of its clients has always been its number one priority,” she added.
Overseeing life at AMH New Horizons Lisburn, post-lockdown, Michelle explained how clients and staff adapted successfully through ‘hybrid working’.
“The teams of clients were split and came in on different days. The skills classes are offered online through Zoom and accredited and non-accredited courses, in a blended approach meaning that we can have people in the classes, while others at home can join in via zoom.
“The size of the room allows us to accommodate up to six people at a time, bearing in mind continuing social distancing and enabling us to observe continuing Covid measures.
She continued: ‘We are being more creative in the way in which we deliver our services and It’s smart to use the technological advances like Zoom which we have all had to adopt to from the beginning of the pandemic.
“This smart technology will, in future, allow clients who are feeling physically unwell or going through a period of poorer mental ill-health to still join the classes, rather than miss out all together as would have happened in the past if they weren’t able to physically attend.
“We continue to support clients to attend work and voluntary placements and to support them to achieve their individual, person-centred goals. AMH New Horizons offers clients realistic outcomes that they can see. That’s really important and so helpful. They are supported to achieve their own goals.”
AMH New Horizons continues to work to capacity in this hybrid mode, enabling clients to continue to glean the comfort of fellow clients and their staff key worker.
The “Working it Out” project is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy and the five NI Health & Social Care Trusts.
L-R Matthew Carson, Shirley Black, Sotonye Frank, Sarah McAvoy
Action Mental Health is delighted to announce their new charity partnership working with Factor – based in Belfast.
Shirley Black from Factor stated:
‘We are delighted to support this vital cause; we know that the pandemic has been so detrimental to the lives of people here in Northern Ireland, and if we can make a positive difference by raising money to support the services Action Mental Health provides across the country then we are glad to be involved. We will endeavour to raise not only funds but also awareness of the important cause of mental health and wellbeing.’
Action Mental Health has a fantastic calendar of events for people to get involved in and Factor have signed up as team to launch their partnership by taking part in the Europa Hotel Abseil on the 20th March 2022.
Samantha Coleman from Action Mental Health stated:
‘For Action Mental Health, working with corporate partners is rewarding as it allows us to communicate our message to a new audience and of course raise important funds to support the work that we do across Northern Ireland. 1 in 5 of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives and we as a charity are dedicated to providing services that promote resilience, wellbeing and recovery to people of all ages. Without our friends in the corporate sector like Factor, much of this would not be possible, so we are excited to embark on this new relationship with them.’
Action Mental Health’s ambassador, Olympic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan is going to dizzying heights of effort in a Guinness world record attempt to raise awareness of mental health.
The Newtownards gymnast, a Commonwealth gold medallist and European champion, is making a staggering attempt at 40 Russian circles in one minute on the pommel horse on April 8. His effort is being staged to raise funds for Action Mental Health’s activities which support the mental health of people of all ages across Northern Ireland, with the current world record standing at 35.
Rhys, 22, an ambassador for Action Mental Health, has spoken out about the challenges he has faced in his own mental health, particularly after his gold medal bid for gold on the pommel horse at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics was thwarted.
Rhys has also offered words of support in the past to a fellow gymnast who withdrew from the USA Olympic team events in Tokyo last summer, citing mental health issues. Four-time gold medallist, American gymnast Simone Biles, bowed out of the 2020 Games and urged people to be mindful of the great stress athletes find themselves under.
From the Olympic village in Tokyo, in the delayed Games which took place in 2021, Rhys had said in a Tweet: “Mental blocks ain’t no joke. I’ve experienced this first hand throughout my career and they are still the most challenging times I’ve faced. Only people who have experienced this can fully understand the stress that comes with it.”
Rhys has been lending his support to Action Mental Health since 2018 when he became the charity’s ambassador as part of the 2019 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. He has continued his support of AMH ever since, supporting our 2020 campaign to mark Children’s Mental Health Week and other similar events.
In preparation for the Guinness World Record attempt this April, at his Dublin training centre, Rhys was back at home in Newtownards to show his spinny skills that will go into the effort.
“The record is 35 but I have been set a figure of 40 and although I am pretty confident I can do that, the arms really do start to get tired at around the 30 mark. It does make you pretty dizzy and some people can feel sick after it but it’s the tired arms that’s the challenge for me,” he said.
Rhys also explained why he has chosen Action Mental Health to benefit from the money raised through his globally recognised record attempt.
‘I’m going to make use of the platform I have and do something special to raise awareness for Action Mental Health, and mental health in general. Achieving a Guiness World Record has been a dream of mine since I got my first World record book in 2006. I’m very proud that I can not only achieve this dream for myself but hopefully bring some positivity to others’ lives by doing so, too,” he said.
“Action Mental Health has demonstrated to me their amazing efforts time and time again to help others, and it’s still one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen to date. I’m honoured to be supporting such an incredible charity.”
Head of Communications & Fundraising at Action Mental Health, Jonathan Smyth commented: “We are so delighted that our loyal ambassador Rhys is continuing to support Action Mental Health through this amazing Guinness World Book of Records attempt.
“With physical activity being a scientifically-proven benefit to people’s mental health, we are always really pleased to see fundraising activity that embraces this ethos. We are confident that Rhys will achieve his global record attempt on his apparatus of choice that has won him such international acclaim, the pommel horse, whilst also raising vital funds to support our services, which are seeing such demand.”
A Just Giving page has been set up to allow Rhys’s fans and followers to support his objective. Rhys sponsor and Ireland’s largest and most recognisable athleisure brand Gym+Coffee are donating a full athletic outfit to the winner, plus a water bottle, keepcups and socks.
Eating Disorders are serious and complex mental health disorders, influenced by a facet of factors. Though the exact cause of eating disorders is unknown, it is generally believed that a combination of biological, psychological and social factors contribute to the development of these illnesses. They are a coping mechanism for difficulties in that individua’ls life, and are much more about feelings at the core, than they are about just food or weight.
Eating disorders have no look, shape or size. They can affect anyone, at any age, gender, race, ethnic background, from all walks of life. Eating disorders are as individual as the people they affect.
Behind every statistic, every diagnosis, is a person who feels. You deserve to be heard, you deserve to be valued. EveryBODY deserves support.
If I could offer anyone reading our content this week for EDAW that may be struggling in silence with their eating disorder, I want to remind you that you are so much more than your eating disorder. You are more than numbers, shape or size. You bring value to this world simply by being you. Eating disorders thrive in isolation, recovery begins with support.
If you are struggling today please know that your voice matters, you deserve to be heard. It is never too soon, or too late to ask for help. EveryBODY can be affected by eating disorders, so everyBODY deserves support.
Action Mental Health’s specialist eating disorder service, AMH everyBODY, is looking inward, aiming tosteer attention to its clients’ voices – and their own personal experiences. To highlight Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2022, one of AMH everyBODY’s clients, shares their own thoughts on eating disorder recovery.
RECOVERY By AMH everyBODY Client
“I think the biggest misconceptions connected to eating disorders (ED) are that it is attention-seeking behaviours and that they can be diagnosed/recognised based on physical appearance alone. This downgrades the experiences of those living with ED.
My ED thoughts and behaviours started around 11 years of age. I first saw a professional in school when I was 12. It is now that I’m older (28) that I can observe the grip of those false dark thoughts and behaviours have significantly loosened. I remember reading or seeing things promoting speaking out when I was younger and thinking; no way could anyone understand any of this. I was so controlled by the thoughts inside my head. It wasn’t easy starting to let go of something that has lived with me for so long.
But trust me, there are people out there that want to, will and can help. Maybe we don’t exactly need someone to understand per sae, but when things are verbalised they become less intrusive and talking becomes a stepping stone to freedom. There are people out there who are equipped to help us recognise and reframe our ED thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We deserve to be empowered and to make that empowerment much stronger than the voices in our heads.
To me recovery means the road to becoming free from the internal dialogue that lives inside. We cannot do this alone; it is easier when we are provided with a toolkit for dealing with and overcoming ED. Realise that we deserve to be free and we are worthy of help and support. It is remembering, no matter how long it may take if we continue to fight we can start to release the control ED has over us. We can start to realise that it is not us, we become observant rather than obsessed.”
“ED can erode relationships with ourselves and others. The internal dialogues that come from ED will tell you are ok the way you are, but seeking help can help release us from that headspace that traps us. This ED brain may convince you that you don’t need help from the outside and/or you can survive without support. Yes, we are all individual but we need to move away from that internal individualistic dialogue and mindset that ED creates. Seeking external support can enhance internal wellbeing. Sometimes it feels impossible or too scary to reach out but as long as the fight continues, talking and seeking help can make a huge difference in how you see and experience all that comes with living with ED.
If we can bring ourselves to view thoughts and behaviours as a product of the ED brain and not our rational brain, this can provide a more true and rational understanding of what is going on. The ED brain can be toxic and fill us with contempt and crippling false narratives. We do not like the thoughts and behaviours it produces, especially when they are left to ruminate and can become trapped and spark off other negative thoughts. They can erode the real YOU.
When stuff gets trapped inside our heads, it feels so true but having someone to verbalise things to without judgement can help rationalise how true they really are. Openness is key. Recovery is a struggle but it is worth it. It is nothing compared to the struggle we go through when we live with ED alone.“
AMH everyBODY’s Client Coping Plan aims to help people on the journey through their eating disorder, offering practical tips and ultimately hope, to ensure people know they can and will get better.
My coping strategies
Limit exposure to triggering news or social media – If you have to check in on the news, once in the morning and once at night is more than enough.
Implement a flexible routine, structure can help to reduce anxiety.
Ensure you have emergency contacts written out somewhere you can easily access them – ED team, Lifeline, Out of hours GP – Southern Trust wallet card have lots of key contacts.
Set a daily intention – One thing daily you would like to focus on – It could be an activity, organising, learning, connecting, etc
Connect – Check in daily with family and loved ones. Just because social distancing is in place doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to connect – Text, WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, phone call, write a letter. Know I can also connect with professional support, Helplines and telephone support.
Give – Myself kindness, comfort and compassion – pick one thing daily to use off your comfort list. Use affirmations of kindness.
Take Notice – Practice grounding tools to bring you out of your head and into the present. Tapping, Deep Breathing, 5,4,3,2,1, muscle relaxation. Stop.Think.Breathe App, Headspace or Calm app.
Learn – Read, Listen to podcasts, online virtual courses or training, perhaps use the time to explore a new interest without any expectations.
Be Active – Allow time for movement in a way that focuses on the body feeling good, not for punishment. A walk outside where you can safely distance, online yoga classes.
https://youtu.be/VVqJN1g2O7Y
Coping Statements to deal with heightened Anxiety
This is an opportunity to get to know, and accept your body at rest.
It’s okay if eating and moving is different right now, because life and routine is different right now. What’s the same? You still need to eat regular meals and snacks, movement is meant to feel good, you’re allowed rest and food does not have moral value.
Now is a good time to practice self-compassion as it is normal to have heightened emotions.
You need adequate food throughout the day even if you do not leave the house.
Eating and exercise do not require compensation, they are two separate things that we do for our body, not against our bodies.
Resting is healthy, an act of self-care, healing and relaxing is needed for all of us. You can choose to rest without explanation.
We may be in a time of uncertainty, but the one thing we have in common is that we are all in the same boat together.
Like any situation in life, whilst it may feel difficult now it will pass. We will heal and we will come through this.
I have survived all of my toughest days so far, I can get through this too.
We always have choice no matter what the situation is, sometimes new choices lead us to new opportunities and strengths we didn’t know we had.
Eating is an essential need to keep me alive and well, it will help support my immune system and give me the energy to recover if I was to be unwell.
Undereating increases anxiety and lowers your ability to think clearly.
I have permission to rest. Health is multifaceted, the ability to slow down and rest is not lazy, it gives us time to heal and grow and recover.
Nourishment and rest will keep my immune system strong.
All my feelings are valid right now, my feelings matter. “I accept that I am feeling anxious right now and that is ok”
Health is not just what you’re eating and how you move your body. It’s also about what you’re thinking and saying.
I still need to eat even if I’m not leaving the house, my body is still working hard for me when I’m sitting still. My heart is still beating, my brain and body need still need glucose and energy.
Some strengths are only realised in times of uncertainty.
