It is estimated that approximately 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder with an estimated 18,000 and 20,000 individuals living with an eating disorder in Northern Ireland at any one time. That person might be you, your sibling, your parent, child, neighbour – anyone.

This year, Action Mental Health marks Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2021 during the unprecedented times of a pandemic, when one particular illness has been on the rise –  Binge Eating Disorder (BED). It is estimated that one in fifty people experience Binge Eating Disorder.

Fittingly, Eating Disorder Awareness Week this year focuses on Binge Eating Disorder and how it has thrived in the isolation Covid-19 has enforced on society, when sufferers have been denied their usual coping mechanisms and support networks.

Among Action Mental Health’s myriad services is its own specialist eating disorder service AMH everyBODY. Serving people with eating disorders in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) area, its team are this week sharing their expertise and guidance on coping with an eating disorder to everyone.

Seen as a ‘lifeline’ by the clients, AMH everyBODY not only supports service users, in partnership with the SHSCT, but also their families, who are often left feeling helpless and unsure how to help their loved ones in need.

Statistics show that eating disorders claim more lives than any other mental illness, with one in five of the most seriously affected dying prematurely from the physical consequences or by suicide.

AMH everyBODY promotes a greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders, promotes positive lifestyle choices in people about eating to develop preventative, self-supporting skills and break the associated stigma.

Often, unhelpful assumptions that eating disorders are merely attention-seeking behaviour or fad dieting is what stops people seeking the support they need – having an eating disorder is a serious mental health condition.

AMH EveryBODY project worker, Deborah McCready comments:

“The focus of Action Mental Health everyBODY’s approach is recovery through partnership; a partnership between the person, their family and the SHSCT, who, in working collectively, will provide comprehensive support towards recovery.  AMH everyBODY provides much needed support not only to the person affected but also to their families and friends at the very popular Carers’ Group monthly meeting – which is currently online.

“AMH everyBODY exists to bridge the gap on the clients’ journey from the moment they seek help until they eventually get to speak to a medical expert, as with existing waiting lists this can be a long time.

“When people have taken that important step and are willing to engage and seek help AMH everyBODY offers a recovery approach in sessions when people will receive information and support to develop skills, stay focused and healthy until they see a therapist.” 

Prior to appointments people can feel unsupported and alone, contact with AMH everyBODY at this time will help people support themselves and get the best from their therapist when they meet.

Eating disorders affect over 700,000 women and men in the UK at any one time, with research suggesting that this figure is vastly underestimated. It is thought some 80% of individuals who screen positively for having an eating disorder have never accessed help or support.  One of the most harmful symptoms of an eating disorder is silence – AMH everyBODY encourages people affected to speak out for support and know that a listening, understanding and confidential ear will be there to provide support towards recovery.

AMH everyBODY Manager, Colin Loughran said:

“This is a very practical model and one that could be used as a model of best practice throughout Northern Ireland. There is a significant shortfall in support services for people experiencing eating disorder and their families, prior to patients being seen by clinicians.”

If you live in the Southern Health Trust Area you can contact the AMH everyBODY Team – T: 028 3839 2314 or E: [email protected]

During Will to Give Week 22^nd – 26^th February 2021 and beyond, we are encouraging our friends old and new to consider leaving a gift in their Will to support the vital work of Action Mental Health. You really will be leaving a legacy of hope.

One in five of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives, and your support will make a tremendous difference to the people that we support, across Northern Ireland.

Now more than ever, during these very uncertain times, we are planning for the future of the charity. We are adapting and evolving our work to meet the changing needs of the Northern Ireland public. 

Whilst we don’t know what the future holds we do know that the services we provide can and do have life changing impacts for local people. We want those services to be there for future generations.

Writing your Will and keeping it up to date is something we should all do and we ask that after you have considered the needs of family and friends that you consider leaving a gift to Action Mental Health.

By planning your Will and making this special commitment, you will help us as a charity as we look to the years ahead and plan for the changing face of the world we live in.

You can find out more about leaving a gift in your Will and also download our Gifts in Wills leaflet by clicking the link below:

Find out more

You really will be helping to improve the mental health of future generations.

Action Mental Health’s well-being and resilience training for young people has been hailed as integral to an award clinched by the South Eastern Regional College (SERC).

AMH MensSana’s Mindset programme, which is funded by the Public Health Agency, was delivered to students and staff, helping to offset and alleviate some of the particular challenges of the past year. Mindset enables the charity to reach out and support young people and adults in the community, to maintain positive emotional well-being and build resilience, as well as teaching the telltale signs of what to look out for in others’.”

SERC, which has campuses in Bangor, Newtownards and Downpatrick, secured a WorldSkills UK Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Award for Network of the Year. The college received the award in the large employer category in a virtual ceremony on January 28.

The college received the award for its work to ensure an inclusive learning environment across its campuses and in recognition of its commitment to ‘promoting and supporting diverse and inclusive practices and celebrate those making a real difference’.

Pivotal to the award was the delivery to 1500 students of AMH’s Mindset programme, along with a trans-student support service and well-being recovery room.

Karen Hillis, AMH Projects Service Manager commented: “Action Mental Health is delighted to partner with SERC to deliver Mental Health Awareness programmes to both students and staff alike to ensure that student wellbeing is at the forefront of college life during what has been a particularly challenging year. 

“Our ‘Mindset’ programme – funded by Public Health Agency – enables us to reach out and support young people and adults in the community to maintain positive emotional wellbeing and build resilience as well as know what to look out for in others’.”

In 2018, SERC was nominated in Action Mental Health’s inaugural Head First Awards in the category ‘Championing Young People’s Mental Health’. The nomination was secured for the college’s efforts and commitment to improving the emotional well-being and resilience of young people.

Catherine Shipman, Student Engagement Manager, SERC said the award ‘pays tribute to our staff, students, volunteers and community partners for their hard work and dedication in championing equality and diversity for our students at SERC’.

They have been busy bees in AMH New Horizons in Antrim despite lockdown! The AMH team have been out delivering Needle Felting packs to clients.

Each pack contains all the materials and equipment needed to participate in the Zoom Needle Felting classes. Current projects include a toadstool teacup garden and a picture!

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There is lots of evidence about the physical and mental health benefits of taking up a craft like needle felting. Needle felting is very therapeutic and clients say it really relaxes them and clears their minds of any worries they might have (quite useful in the current circumstances), it also gives the group the opportunity to catch up and have a chat.

The process of felting requires focus and concentration, so it has an inbuilt meditative quality.  This tends to bring a peaceful, calming atmosphere to the group as they work. 

One client, who is new to AMH New Horizons, attended the first of a set of needle felting classes and as a result has ordered and received quite a substantial delivery of materials so he can engage in this hobby himself, in his own time at home!

We are so looking forward to seeing the results!!

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Clients at AMH New Horizons Antrim take part in the ESF ‘Working It Out’ project which is part-funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, Department of Economy and Northern Health & Social Care Trust.  

Share the love this Valentine’s Day and support people in Northern Ireland affected by mental ill health.

Instead of sending flowers or gifts, why not make a donation to Action Mental Health?

You’ll also be helping us to promote positive mental health and resilience to local children and young people.

You can donate here……..

When donating please quote the text ‘SHARE THE LOVE’ in the Reason for Donating Box.

We will then send you an electronic Valentine’s Day card that you can share with your loved one to let them know you’ve made a donation on their behalf.

Now more than ever, we need your support! Please get involved and help Share the Love this Valentine’s day.

For more information – email [email protected]

Grounding is a powerful way to interrupt anxious thoughts in the present moment! It is an ideal way to deal with children’s anxieties and worries. As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is understandable that children have absorbed extra worry from the media and the people around them. Perhaps they have experienced loss or illness in their own family, a school friend or a person they consider as a role model.

Although talking, journaling and other activities such as keeping worry dolls are a tried and tested way to overcome negative feelings, there are other practical ways to stay grounded.

5-4-3-2-1 Senses

Exercising the senses helps children to stay grounded. Depending on age this is an effective means to halt thought streams

• 5 things you see
• 4 things you hear
• 3 things you smell
• 2 things you can touch
• 1 thing you taste

Or try an exercise with just ‘sight’.

• 5 colors I see
• 4 shapes I see
• 3 soft things I see
• 2 people I see
• 1 book I see

ABC in the room

This exercise will get students connected with the here and now and the place where they are right now.

Be a tree

Few things are more grounded or rooted than a tree. “My feet are firmly planted” or “I can feel the ground under my feet.”

Power Hug

Firm pressure is reassuring and great for grounding. “I am safe now.” The child places their left hand on their right shoulder for a tap and then their right hand on their left shoulder for another tap. Then squeeze into a self hug and affirm – tap, tap, squeeze, affirm.

Focus on an object

Noticing colour, texture of various items.

Here & now hand trace

Child traces a hand on paper. They can write down within the outline things they see in their surroundings.

Reorientation

Students list facts about the present moment:

• My name is…
• I am in…
• Today is…
• The season is…
• The weather is…
• I am wearing…

Dress to express

This activity is currently being promoted online to help grounding and bring a bit of fun into Children’s Mental Health Week.

Bringing children into the present moment helps reduce worries about the future and anxieties based on past experiences. Creating a safe environment, building on positive outcomes and helping reduce an escalation into additional worry are all helpful ways to keep children grounded.