Action Mental Health is taking to the streets of Lisburn during September to raise awareness of the mental health services available at our Railway Street location and across the city – as well as helping to spread some positivity.
Our ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ initiative will see a variety of Action Mental Health pop-up stalls appear in the city centre over the next few weeks, where Lisburn residents can collect special tokens. These can then be redeemed for a free hot or cold drink at participating coffee shops throughout September.
“At Action Mental Health we believe that small acts of kindness can help make a big difference in people’s lives,” says Lisburn Service Manager, Ruth Green.
“Our goal with this campaign is to not only raise awareness about our services in Lisburn, but also to encourage people to take a moment to care for their personal wellbeing – whether that’s enjoying a quiet cup of coffee or connecting with loved ones. We invite anyone who’s passing by to stop at the stalls, pick up a token and say hello.”
Where to find our pop-up stalls
Look out for Action Mental Health’s Fundraising and Engagement Officer, Iain, at the following Lisburn locations in September to find out more about Action Mental Health’s services and to collect your free Random Acts of Kindness token:
PureGym Lisburn: September 16
Bow Street Mall: September 21
EUROSPAR, Laganvalley: September 27
You can trade in the tokens at the following Lisburn coffee shops:
Glasshouse Coffee
Percival Coffee
Sonas Lisburn
Action Mental Health provides a range of services throughout Lisburn, including training programmes which help to boost self-esteem and confidence, as well as building new skills and supporting people to gain qualifications which improve their career options.
Grief is something which will affect us all at some point in our lives, but everyone experiences it differently and will cope with it in their own unique way. What works for one person won’t necessarily be right for another – and that’s ok.
National Grief Awareness Day takes place on 30 August every year and aims to open up the conversation around grief, raising awareness about how it can manifest in our lives – and how we can cope when this happens. Whether you’re currently navigating the complexities of grief, or you know someone who’s grieving, understanding grief and the ways in which we can work through it can help both with your own experience and in supporting others.
We often associate grief only with death, but there are lots of circumstances that can lead people to grieve. This could include the loss of a family member/loved one (people or pets), breakdown of a relationship, job loss, coming to terms with a chronic illness or other health condition, financial losses or loss of freedom.
While there are no defined ‘stages’ of grief, there are some common emotions and reactions linked to loss. Physical effects can include weight change, poor sleep, resulting in tiredness and aches and pains from stress-related tension. Behavioural effects can include withdrawing from social activities/not leaving the house, forgetfulness, poor concentration, excessive worrying about loved ones. Emotional effects can include sadness, loneliness, anger, guilt or feeling numb.
No one’s experience of grief will follow the same path and, for some, this will be meandering while for others, it might be more linear. Whether grief ebbs and flows in your life in varying periods of intensity or peaks at a certain point, there’s no ‘right way’ to experience grief and all responses are valid. Learning to live with grief, in whatever form it takes, is a challenge, but there are ways in which you can support yourself and others.
While a nothing can make grief ‘go away’, there are things you can do that help you while navigating grief:
Self-care e.g. drinking enough water, showering and getting dresses, going outside
Speaking to someone, whether a therapist/counsellor or friend/family member
Looking after your physical as well as mental health e.g. getting enough sleep, moving (simply getting outside to go for a walk), eating well
Writing down how you feel – putting things onto paper can help you tell your own story and has been proven to reduce stress
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to support someone who is experiencing grief. There are small things you can do that could make a big difference:
Listen more, speak less.
Help with daily tasks e.g. cook a meal for them or do the shopping.
Encourage them to seek professional support if needed – and offer to drive them to their first therapy session.
Give them time and understand that there is no instant ‘cure’ for grief or a ‘one size fits all’ approach to handling it.
If you or someone you know is grieving and you would like to explore professional support, you can reach out to:
And if you require urgent help, you can contact Lifeline (Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline): 0808 808 8000 / https://www.lifelinehelpline.info /
Artwork from an eight-week project which aimed to bring people together to reduce isolation and support better mental health and wellbeing was officially launched at a special exhibition on Thursday, August 29.
Entitled ‘Home is Where the ’ART is!’ the exhibition explores the concept of ‘home’ and features work from people attending Action Mental Health’s southern Services. The project was funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Rural Engagement Arts Programme 2023/24, with the resulting artwork displayed at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre at Oxford Island.
Artist, Hazel Boland, who also works as an artistic educator, programmer and engagement coordinator, facilitated the project, which brought together people from Armagh, Portadown and Newry. She said it was wonderful to see how everyone had worked together, offering support and encouragement to each other along the way.
“One of the quotes from the Armagh group was ‘trust the process,’” she said at the launch event. “You can’t always visualise something or see the outcome but you just have to go for it. Everybody embraced it, even if there was a bit of fear to start with. “There was lino printing and then something very different, which was the felting. Everybody tried both and the more they did it, the more confidence they had. I think the work is amazing. What I like about the exhibition today is that everybody has come together for it. It means much more to see what everybody has produced all together in the one place. I think you’ve all done a fabulous job.”
Throughout the project, participants had the opportunity to express themselves in their medium of choice, as well as enjoying social interactions within the group settings. The artwork subsequently communicates to others – be it friends, family or the wider community – positive mental health messages to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill-health, which often prevents people from accessing the support they need to stay well.
Action Mental Health chief executive, David Babington, welcomed everyone to the exhibition on Thursday and said it was great to see how beneficial the project had been to all those involved. “The pieces here really do reflect your journeys,” he said. “I would like to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for funding the project and to say a big thank you to our staff at Action Mental Health and the wider team, along with Hazel Boland for facilitating the workshops.”
Also saying a few words at the launch were some of the project participants, including Francis Johnston from the Action Mental Health Newry service, who was surprised at just how much he enjoyed the experience. With his last brush with art being in third year at school, Francis said it had been “amazing” to be introduced to new materials and creative processes, such as working with vinyl.
He added: “Whenever you were carving out the vinyl, you didn’t think about nothing – all the worries were gone. I had so much fun in the class. It’s so much better having a teacher to teach you. The enthusiasm is there. Hazel did such an amazing job with us and I would like to thank Siobhan and all the Action Mental Health staff who helped with the programme. I don’t think I missed a single day!
“I would never have dreamed of doing things like that. I thought I was just going to go and have a bit of craic. I didn’t think I would ever learn anything. It even got me to go and ask my brother, who’s an artist, to get me materials to do my own art.”
A participant from Armagh said her experience had been equally positive and that the group, who did not view themselves as artists, had thoroughly enjoyed the sessions with Hazel.
“Hazel proved that you can produce something,” she said. “She had faith in us when we had no faith. As the weeks went on we got more into it. The felting we produced has a deep meaning to every one of the members of the Armagh group. The name we gave it is ‘Our Circle of Community’. It represents our safe place, where we feel secure.
“We can find things very daunting. We didn’t have much faith in ourselves at times, but Hazel kept trusting us and delivered this programme, which we thoroughly enjoyed.”
Also speaking at the launch was Simona Ladygaite from Action Mental Health’s Newry group, who used to create her own art but then stopped, due to health issues. She said the ‘Home is Where the Art Is!’ project had allowed her to return to doing what she loved. One of her art pieces exhibited at the launch is an emotive work of Simona with her brother and sister, who she was separated from for a long time.
“I’m thankful to Hazel and the Action Mental Health staff because I started to do my art and explore it again,” she said. “When Hazel came into the class she opened my artistic view. I loved it every day in our class. It didn’t matter if I was in pain or in a bad mood or if there was bad weather – I enjoyed it. I’m so thankful to the staff.”
Colin Loughran, service manager at Action Mental Health, congratulated everyone who took part in ‘Home is Where the ’ART is!’ He added that the aim of the project had been to “bring everyone together – and I think we’ve done that.
“It’s really reassuring to hear that the work we’re doing is helping and making a difference,” he said. “I’d also like to thank Siobhan Black and Alison Reid, who coordinated the project with Hazel – and of course, to thank the Arts Council NI for their funding. In the earlier part of the project, someone said that ‘home isn’t a place, it’s where you feel most comfortable.’ I think ‘Home is Where the ’ART is!’ really hit the mark.”
While it’s important to stay informed about current affairs, exposing ourselves to a constant stream of distressing news can take a toll on our mental health. It’s therefore crucial to find ways to protect our wellbeing amidst the chaos.
Whether we’re impacted directly by events or indirectly via what we read or hear, this can affect our mental health in various ways – for example, causing fear, anxiety or feelings of helplessness. Recognising this and understanding the validity of our responses is therefore first step to protecting our mental wellbeing.
Here are some tips from Action Mental Health to help you cope with distressing news:
Choose reliable sources: Our social media feeds can quickly become saturated with different voices and channels each putting their own spin on an event or issue – and some are more biased than others. Ensure you’re getting your information from reputable news outlets to avoid sensationalism and misinformation that can amplify distress.
Set boundaries: Designate specific times for checking the news instead of having a constant stream of updates. Consider turning off notifications to avoid being overwhelmed. Taking a step back from the news doesn’t mean you’re ignoring the world’s problems; it means you’re prioritising your mental health. By finding a balance, you can stay informed and compassionate without becoming overwhelmed.
Acknowledge your emotions: Allow yourself to feel and process emotions rather than suppressing them. Writing in a journal can be a helpful outlet.
Practice mindfulness: Deep breathing or meditation can help centre your thoughts and reduce anxiety. Getting a change of scenery, especially if you can get outside and move your body, can help your perspective and also ease physical symptoms.
Connect with others: Sometimes talking to friends and family can provide comfort, whether you’re discussing the issues that are worrying you or just seeking some encouragement and connection.
Take positive action: Volunteering or supporting community initiatives can mitigate against feelings of helplessness and help you gain a sense of community and solidarity as you stand with others for good. If you don’t feel like you can leave the house, you can write to people in positions of power, sign petitions or donate to important causes – these are incredible ways to make a difference.
Seek professional help. If you find that distressing news is affecting your daily life, speaking to a mental health professional can provide strategies and support tailored to your needs.
We know things feel hard right now – but you’re not alone.
Last year, Matthew took on the Dublin Marathon to raise vital funds for Action Mental Health. We asked him to share a little bit about why he did it – and this is what he said…
Hi! My name is Matthew Heath. I’m 28 years old and living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I am a Software Engineer by profession and love the chase of new challenges and learning new things.
My running journey started in March 2023 with limited fitness and a desire to get away from my laptop every so often. I began with an 8-week Couch to 5K program, aiming to complete leg one of the Belfast Marathon Relay with colleagues. After successfully achieving that goal, I gradually increased my distances, tackling a 12-week training block for the Hillsborough Half Marathon, marking my first step towards longer distance races.
I first came across Action Mental Health while scrolling on social media. Before this, I had limited knowledge of the services available locally. The post I saw highlighted various fundraising challenges organised to support and enhance their services, and one of these was the Dublin Marathon.
I was struck when I saw the post – Action Mental Health were providing vital services and support to those struggling with mental health issues, offering a lifeline to many in the local community, and I realised that participating in Dublin Marathon was the perfect opportunity to combine my new passion for running with a meaningful cause, raising awareness and genuinely making a difference for people.
So, for the Dublin Marathon, I took on another 12-week marathon-specific training block, running 5 days a week to try and hit my ambitious target of under 4 hours with a mix of easy, tempo, and interval runs, maxing out at around 70km during the peak week.
The training itself was both challenging and rewarding, providing me with an outlet to refresh my mind across many miles. Having structured sessions mapped out on an app for 12 weeks gave me the accountability I needed to stay on track. Additionally, the support and encouragement from the Action Mental Health team were crucial to keeping me motivated even when the training got tough – they were there every step of the way!
On race day, I was incredibly nervous, as many people are before a big event. I had been constantly checking the weather for weeks leading up to the marathon and barely slept the night before! After loading up on pasta the previous evening and having two bagels for breakfast, I set off in Wave 3 at 9:25 am.
The course winds its way out from Dublin city centre towards Phoenix Park and through several quaint villages. The latter part of the route passes by UCD, into Ballsbridge, and past the Aviva Stadium.
With over 16,000 people running in Dublin, the event featured a diverse mix of characters and abilities, all cheering each other on. The support along the entire route was amazing, with numerous cheer zones providing much-needed boosts. Dublin is known as the ‘Friendly Marathon,’ and it certainly lived up to its reputation. Despite the classic Irish weather of experiencing all four seasons in one day, many people lined the streets offering nutrition and even deep heat spray!
The race ends with the ‘Purple Mile’ towards the finish line, and this was probably my favourite part. Both sides of the streets jam packed with noisy supporters in the heavy Dublin rain and knowing that all the hard work had paid off to get to the finish line of my first ever marathon was special. The post run feed and hydration were also exceptional – who knew a burger and Guinness could taste so good?!
It was (and still is!) fantastic knowing that my efforts would mean more people in Northern Ireland could access mental health services when they really need them. At just halfway through the collective efforts across the #teamAMH runners, we had already raised enough to provide 22 secondary school classes with mental health awareness sessions, potentially impacting over 600 pupils. Given the ongoing concern about access to mental health services in Northern Ireland, it is crucial to advocate for local charities that are helping to address some of the stark statistics associated with mental health issues.
Creating greater awareness around local charities making a real difference in people’s lives is something I hope to continue doing and would encourage others to do too. With such a range of services, from counselling to mental health education in workplaces, Action Mental Health really is making a significant impact here in Northern Ireland.
If I were to speak to someone who was considering taking on the challenge this year, I’d want them to know that it is an incredibly rewarding experience. It will push both your physical and mental limits, but the sense of accomplishment is unmatched. The support from the Action Mental Health team and fellow runners is fantastic and you’ll be part of a passionate group working towards a common goal of improving mental health services for all.
Enjoy the process and trust in your training. Increase speed and volume slowly over time to avoid potential injuries (I found this out the hard way!), and if it is your first marathon, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Go out there and soak up the amazing Dublin atmosphere and all that is has to offer!
We still have a few spaces left for Dublin 2024 – get in touch today to ensure you don’t miss your chance! Contact [email protected].
Omagh-based Powergrid Civils (PGC), the specialist engineering and consultancy company operating throughout the UK and Ireland, have just announced a partnership with Action Mental Health, which will help support the charity’s vital work in local schools and community groups.
Founded in 2012, the company has built an enviable reputation for their corporate social responsibility when it comes to supporting local communities through donations, sponsorship and time. As a result of this partnership, Action Mental Health will now be able to expand their delivery of mental health programmes to children and young people across Co. Tyrone, helping them reach many more schools and community groups. One of the schools involved is Omagh Integrated Primary School, where pupils will take part in the charity’s Little Healthy Me and Healthy Me programmes which are vibrant and engaging mental health promotion programmes, designed specifically for primary school children.
Lisa Colton, Managing Director, said, “We recognise how difficult it is for charities to raise funds to support the great work they deliver in our communities. We feel proud that our business is in a position to support Action Mental Health in the delivery of their mental health programmes to our local schools and community groups”.
Michael McClean Project Worker at Action Mental Health said: “We are delighted that as a direct result of our partnership with Powergrid Civils we can now reach even more children and young people in Omagh and across Co Tyrone. with our invaluable range of mental health programmes. It is so vital that we equip the younger generation with the skills and knowledge that they need to deal with the inevitable challenges they will face growing up, and indeed right throughout life.”
We are so delighted that Christine, a client at our Southern New Horizons service, received the 2024 OCNNI Learning Endeavour Award as Health and Wellbeing Learner of the Year and as joint winner of the prestigious Hilary Sloan Learning Endeavour award!
This year’s Open College Network NI Learning Endeavour Awards took place at Titanic Belfast, where over 350 learners, teachers, tutors, and special guests celebrated together. Now in its 6th year, the event acknowledges the achievements of learners who have gone to exceptional lengths to achieve learning goals. It’s a powerful reminder of the profound impact of education on individuals and communities.
Our New Horizons service exists to support the recovery of adults experiencing mental illhealth with courses and qualifications, personal development and skill-building and social and recreational activities. Christine began coming to Action Mental Health just over a year ago, and she soon realised that with the right support, she could build her confidence and gradually develop the ability to pursue a new career.
Over time, she overcame many challenges and claimed all five units of the Personal Success and Wellbeing Level 1. This achievement gave Christine the self-assurance to complete a City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Techniques at Southern Regional College.
Service Manager, Colin Loughran said, “Christine’s progress might have been difficult to imagine just a year ago. With guidance and support from the Action Mental Health team, Christine now feels much better about herself, her place in the world and her future, as she currently contemplates work placement opportunities. Her journey is testament to the power of recovery through Action Mental Health’s holistic approach.”
We want to wish Christine the biggest congratulations! We are so proud of all of our clients, and the steps they are taking for themselves. We think you are incredible.
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside your mind? Inside Out 2, the sequel to Pixar’s 2015 hit, is in cinemas now, ready to take you on a journey through the colourful and complex world of our emotions. Here are four things we think the new Pixar film can teach us about our own mental health (please read with caution – this blog post will contain some spoilers!)
1. Sometimes change happens – and it can affect us!
Inside Out 2 takes us into Riley’s mind as she experiences significant change. She’s preparing to move from middle school to high school, and learns that her closest friends will not be going to the same school. She’s also entering puberty, dealing with changes in her body, mood, and relationships. So much of Riley’s experience in the film reminded me of the more challenging times in my own teenage years! (Speaking of which – did you know that Action Mental Health run wellbeing programmes in schools to support children and teenagers through changes and challenges? Check out our MensSana service page for more information!)
The thing is, change doesn’t stop when we become adults. It’s a natural, frequently occurring part of being human. And change, no matter if it’s positive or negative, can significantly impact our mental health. Transitions such as moving home, starting a new job, or going through changes in relationships can shift our normal rhythms and sense of stability, leaving us feeling unsure or uncertain.
It’s vital that we take extra care of ourselves during times of change. Maintaining some sort of routine can be really helpful, offering a sense of ‘normal’ and predictability. Practice self-care – and I don’t mean just treats and bubble baths (although these are great, too), but activities that help you feel calm, in control, and balanced. Talk about how you’re feeling with someone you trust. Get outdoors if you can, and move your body. Eat nourishing food, drink water, and get enough sleep.
2. None of our emotions are ‘bad’
The first Inside Out film showed us that while we often see ‘sadness’ as a negative emotion to be avoided, it actually serves a very important purpose. Inside Out 2 reinforces the powerful message that no emotions are inherently ‘bad.’
In Inside Out 2, we meet Anxiety, whose drive is to keep Riley safe. We all need a healthy level of anxiety to protect us from potential threats and prepare us for challenging situations. Which leads to my next point…
3. Anxiety exists to protect us – but sometimes it can get too loud
In the film, Anxiety takes the reins. She banishes the original gang of emotions from the first movie to the back of Riley’s mind, becoming controlling and domineering. Anxiety came in to protect and prepare Riley, but instead, it became overwhelming and overshadowing, dominating every thought. This isn’t healthy.
Anxiety can look different for different people, and sometimes it can be hard to spot right away that it’s becoming overwhelming. For Riley, Anxiety manifested in worry and fear, racing thoughts, and, towards the end, a pounding heartbeat, blurred vision, and shortness of breath. However, for others, anxiety might look like restlessness, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating. Some people might feel more irritable, while others may feel the need to withdraw from social settings or activities.
It’s important to know how to spot these signs in ourselves and others. In Riley’s case, it was her two best friends who noticed she was having a difficult time – a great reminder for us to keep an eye on those around us and reach out if we feel they might need support.
4. Our feelings are not our whole identity
The plot of Inside Out 2 revolves around a mission to restore Riley’s ‘sense of self.’ At the beginning of the film, Joy shows us Riley’s ‘belief system,’ essentially a set of values guiding Riley’s life, made up of a carefully curated collection of Joy’s favorite memories. Summed up in a sentence, Riley believes that she is a good person.
Anxiety disrupts this belief system. She discards it, replacing the positive memories with moments dominated by worry and apprehension. Over time, a new sense of self is built – one telling Riley she’s not good enough.
The film poignantly shows how easy it is to mistake how we feel for who we are. It reminded me of something I saw few years ago, a quote from local poet Padraig O’Tuama made the rounds on social media. He points out that in the Irish language, when expressing emotion, you don’t say ‘I am sad.’ The direct translation is ‘sadness is on me.’ This simple linguistic detail can hugely transform our mindset. We’re feeling sadness right now, but it’s not who we are. We’re experiencing anxiety at the moment, but it’s not our whole identity.
At the end of the film, a new belief system is formed, based on all of Riley’s memories – the joyful ones, the anxious ones, the sad ones, the fearful ones, the angry ones. Riley’s new sense of self can no longer be summed up in just a sentence. It becomes fluid, nuanced, and complex. It’s multi-coloured, changing in shape, size, and volume. There are wonderful things, and there are hard things. It’s a much more realistic depiction of the human experience.
Inside Out 2 reminds us that while our emotions can be intense sometimes, they are just one part of our experience. They are not who we are at our core.
As Inside Out 2 beautifully shows, navigating our emotions and mental health can be challenging, especially during times of change. It’s a friendly reminder to take care of ourselves and support those around us. For lots of us, it will be a really enjoyable watch – but please do keep in mind that the themes might hit close to home if you have personal experience of anxiety. And if, after watching the film or reading this blog, you are feeling concerned or overwhelmed by your own thoughts or feelings, please reach out to a friend or family member, or a professional such as your doctor. You are not alone!
