Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 came at a time when the issue of mental health and well-being has never been in sharper focus.

As Prince William opened up about his emotional fragility following the death of his mother Princess Diana, Great British Bake-Off winner Nadiya Hussein allowed the cameras in to capture her battle with anxiety, and former Homeland actor David Harewood revealed a bout of psychosis in his 20s.

These high profile personalities were among headline discussions conveyed by the media over the week, highlighting the prevalence of mental health issues in society. They helped to prove that mental ill health knows no boundaries, whether social, religious, class or ethnicity.

Closer to home Action Mental Health helped steer the public conversation towards mental health issues, fundraising for our services through the second ever Great Big Purple Picnic (GBBP). Local politicians and community representatives descended on Action Mental  Health’s nine services across Northern Ireland to partake of the picnic which, this year, featured barbecues, pet therapy sessions, horticultural sales, yoga, music and a host of festive events.

Action Mental Health also supported a flagship initiative by Queen’s University Belfast to support better well-being among staff and students at the institution. The pinnacle of QUB’s week-long series of events was a panel discussion on mental health matters featuring the personal stories of local people like former GAA star Oisin McConville, who fought a gambling addiction and radio presenter Paulo Ross, who cares for his mother who suffers mental ill-health.

Action Mental Health supported the university’s itinerary which included a pedometer challenge, holistic well-being sessions, workshops, talks on cyberbullying and sleep-improving sessions, lunchtime walks and its very own Great Big Purple Picnic in the university’s historic quad.

Our corporate partners also got behind the week’s events with gusto. Ardent supporter Danske Bank’s Business Development Team walked a collective 500 miles across a number of its branches, raising funds and awareness with every step. Other staff embraced the Great Big Purple Picnic festivities as well as a host of other activities in branches across the country.

Staff members in our partners Allstate were also treading the pavement, raising funds and awareness with their ‘Walk a Mile and Smile’ event, while stands went up at its three branches to inform employees on the best ways towards mental health and well-being. Staff were encouraged to take part in a selfie- competition before a hair-raising zipline event brought the week to a finale.

All 53 branches of Gordons Chemists jumped on board the Mental Health Awareness Week bandwagon, raising awareness among customers through literature and selling wristbands while staff donned purple for the day.

Coca Cola too, participated, letting employees test their aim in an archery competition in a novel way of marking Mental Health Awareness Week.

Meanwhile WW (formerly Weight Watchers) turned purple with al fresco dining at venues across County Antrim, and Farrans Construction staff enjoyed a week of GBBP-related events.

SDC used the week to launch the new partnership between the truck and trailer parts firm and Action Mental Health, when staff got the opportunity to participate in stress tests and avail of the charity’s breadth of knowledge on mental health issues with information stands and awareness raising efforts.

In Warrenpoint & Lisburn, our corporate partner, CTS, got into the spirit by hosting Great Big Purple Picnics for all their staff.

Financial Services Compliance (Fscom) had a purple dress-up day on Friday, a week after launching their new charity partnership with Action Mental Health, while Medicare Osborne Pharmacy on the Lisburn Road also got in the purple spirit.

Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena held a GBPP  bake sale and have decided to continue their fundraising drive with a sponsored walk within the splendour of Glenariff Park on June 29.

 

Employers across Northern Ireland and Europe opened their workplaces to people with disabilities as part of Job Share Day on Thursday 16 May.  We were delighted that so many Action Mental Health clients were participating in the initiative, in a variety of roles and organisations across the country!

Our ESF “Working it Out” projects provides a comprehensive programme of specialist training in Personal Development, Vocational Skills and Employability, with the aim of helping our clients access employment or further education.  The Job Shadow Day is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment and is supported by its members.  Job Shadow Day is perfect for our clients as it can provide the perfect opportunity to get firsthand experience of the world of work and to discover and learn about the skills required to compete and succeed in the workplace.

One of own job seekers – Ciara McCormack – had the opportunity to shadow our Chief Executive, David Babington, as he went about his daily duties. The day kicked off meeting representatives from two Colombian cities with other community organisations and Belfast City Council.  The visit is part of an 18 month exchange programme for sustainable urban development. Next it was on to Queen’s University Belfast for the headline event in a week packed with initiatives to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week in partnership with AMH.  David was on a panel of special guests including familiar faces GAA star Oisin McConville, Cool FM’s Paulo Ross and our own AMH everyBODY’s Deborah McCreedy.  The discussion was hosted by BBC’s Tara Mills, Ciara got the opportunity to chat with all the guests and discover what the AMH Fundraising & Communications team get up to behind the scenes.

Here’s what some of our other clients got up to!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The strongmen of Belfast Trojans are facing the might of a band of American footballers for a special community fun day in aid of Action Mental Health.

The local team face the Augustana College Vikings from Illinois on Saturday, May 25 during a day of entertainment for all the family.

Together, the Trojans are a strong band of brothers who enjoy a camaraderie that has taken them to success in their field. But it’s also a network of support that has provided a lifeline to members in their darkest hours.

The club decided to donate the proceeds of the Community Day to Action Mental because of its current focus on mental health issues, under the hashtag #LetEmKnow.

The campaign is being spearheaded by members like former Leeds University Gryphons player Andrew Marks, who lost a friend to suicide following a weekend night out with friends in 2017.

Andrew, 24, and his university rugby team had been with their friend James Burke only days before and said he had been ‘laughing and joking’ with everything. James, a law student who excelled in rugby league, had represented Jamaica in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Following his untimely death James’ mother Sharon set up the James Burke Foundation aimed at promoting better mental support for young people. In the wake of his friend’s death, Andrew  joined forces with the team, his family and community to fundraise for the foundation.

Now back in his native Northern Ireland, Andrew is sharing the message on which the foundation was based and is keen to keep the discussion of mental health matters going among players.

One of those players, John Mahon, only joined the Trojans this year following the death of his mother in January.

At 20 – and following the death of his father when he was just 13 and a pupil at Downe High in Downpatrick – the Ardglass lad felt desolate, alone and lost.

Though he has a supportive family, being the youngest of five siblings, he found that he was only leaving the house for college, to attend his software engineering course at Belfast Met.

But then his brother, a former member of the Trojans, told him to sign up. He followed his big brother’s advice – and it’s provided a much needed lifeline for him.

“There the most supportive bunch of people I’ve ever known,” he said.

Player Danny Tarr agrees. “They’re like a bunch of brothers to me,” he said.

Danny, 28, found comfort in the Trojan family after he was seriously injured in a head-on car crash in Donegal last July which put him out of running for the team’s semi-finals a month later.

Following the crash he developed PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) when he began dreaming of the terrifying collision. His inability to play in the team’s competitive clashes had a detrimental impact on his mental health, but it’s been through the fraternity and brotherhood of his teammates that he is able to focus on a positive recovery.

For further information about the fun day – when you’ll get the chance to ‘crack the safe’ and win £10,000 – or to purchase tickets visit www.trojanscommunityfunday.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Get Creative Festival is an annual campaign to celebrate and support the everyday creativity happening in homes and public spaces. From guerrilla gardening in your street to paint by numbers in your local library, via nail art, yarnbombing and singing in a choir, Get Creative Festival is building actively creative communities that cater for everyone of every age, background and ability.

Get Creative Festival is taking place this week from 11 – 19 May 2019 to celebrate creativity across the UK and Republic of Ireland with a whole range of amazing events!

Ards Arts Centre called out to all creatives in the Borough to share a little of their creative talent with the rest of us. Action Mental Health answered that call!

Pauline Matthew Skills Coach – Creative Crafts in AMH New Horizons North Down and Ards along with some of our artistic clients popped along to share a little of their creative talent! As you can see from the photos all ages enjoyed getting creative!

www.getcreativeuk.com 

 

Action Mental Health has teamed up with Queen’s University Belfast to mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week with a full range of activities and programmes dedicated to promoting better mental health across all aspects of the lives of Queen’s staff and students.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 takes place this week with a range of events, seminars and workshops taking place across campus at Queen’s University on a range of topics including cyberbullying, the importance of sleep and the role of mental health nurses.

A recent survey by the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland found that 78% of students said they had experienced mental health issues.

In February 2019, Queen’s Students’ Union launched an ambitious new campaign to tackle mental health issues facing students – ‘OMNI’ – under the resounding call to action “all in for mental health”. Queen’s has adopted a new, whole-university approach addressing mental health and well-being for staff and students that will help inform a new institutional three-year (2019-2021) Framework for Mental Health.

Brian Parkes, People and Culture Director, Queen’s University Belfast, said, “At Queen’s, we are committed to creating a compassionate culture that supports and promotes the mental health and wellbeing of all our people and we are delighted to partner with Action Mental Health for Mental health Awareness Week 2019, with a range of events that will bring staff and students together to raise awareness, drive conversations and show their support for better mental health.”

As part of the week’s events at Queen’s, a host of local personalities will lend their profile and voices to a panel to highlight the wide range of issues surrounding mental health and well-being, including former GAA star Oisin McConville, who will discuss his experience with gambling addiction. Cool FM’s Paulo Ross will also give an insight into his experiences while caring for his mother when she developed mental health difficulties.

The panel will also feature BBC Newsline anchor Tara Mills and Radio Ulster commentator Linzi Conway alongside Action Mental Health’s everyBODY service’s Project Worker Deborah McCready, who will focus on one of the themes of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 – body image – how we think and feel about our bodies.

Mental Health Awareness Week is also the springboard for Action Mental Health’s Great Big Purple Picnic fundraising drive which focuses on ways to improve knowledge of positive mental health and well-being. Queen’s University staff and students will be supporting the effort by hosting their own Great Big Purple Picnic in the university’s iconic Quadrangle on Wednesday, May 15.

The university will also launch its annual Pedometer Challenge with proceeds raised going to Action Mental Health and staff will be invited to enjoy a range of events including holistic therapies, a performance of the university’s staff choir and a guided tour of Botanic Gardens.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington expressed delight at the collaboration between the charity and Queen’s University.

“It’s gratifying to see such a prestigious institution shining a light on mental health issues and taking the lead to cultivate and promote the mental well-being of their staff and student body.”

 

 

 

Northern Ireland’s leading mental health charity is inviting everyone to join in its annual Northern Ireland-wide picnic event.

Action Mental Health is asking people to host a Great Big Purple Picnic to help mark Mental Health Awareness Week from 13^th to 19^th May and wants schools, businesses, community groups, families and friends to get their picnic hampers out and join in the fundraising fun.

The Great Big Purple Picnic is one of the many initiatives organised by AMH to help raise awareness of positive mental health and also raise vital funds to help support their work across Northern Ireland. Most of all AMH wants you to have a bit of fun while you’re doing it.

In Belfast a Great Big Purple Picnic will be hosted at Queen’s University of Belfast’s quad as part a packed programme to mark the focus on mental health in collaboration with Action Mental Health.

Picnics and other activities are also being hosted in support of AMH by a host of our corporate partners and businesses, including Danske Bank, Gordon’s Chemists, Farrans Construction, Medicare Osborne Pharmacy. In Derry-Londonderry the city’s branch of the Bank of Ireland will also partake of a picnic.

Clients at AMH New Horizons Newry will be enjoying their Great Big Purple Picnic al fresco, tucking into a barbecue at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor next Wednesday. Meanwhile a number of local businesses including the Employers Forum, Autoline and Newry Building Supplies are set to host their own Great Big Purple Picnics for staff.

AMH New Horizons Foyle is continuing the celebrations into the next week, hosting its Great Big Purple Picnic in Derry city’s Guild Hall Square where people will have the opportunity to ‘Take Five’ – based on the Five Ways to Well-Being, as Service Manager Pauline Flanagan explains: “Pack your lunch and join us outside on our purple canvas; CONNECT and  meet the AMH team; LEARN how we provide mental health support and services; TAKE NOTICE of the opportunities you can avail of; BE ACTIVE and get involved in our impromptu entertainment; GIVE yourself a mindful lunch break support mental health.

Members of WW, formerly Weight Watchers, throughout County Antrim will be hosting picnics, in Glenarm, Larne, Cushendall and Carrickfergus.

The focus for the Great Big Purple Picnic is quite simply about giving people a way to improve their knowledge of positive mental health and also a way to improve their mental well-being.

By hosting your very own Great Big Purple Picnic you and your guests will be actively engaging in the Five Ways to Well-being: connecting with those around you; being active, by choosing one of Northern Ireland’s picturesque settings to host your picnic and combining it was a nice walk; taking notice, by just taking time out to enjoy the moment; keep learning, by thinking of healthy food options for your picnic to help maintain a healthy body for a healthy mind; and by giving the funds you raise to AMH which aims to change the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promote resilience and wellbeing to future generations.

All you have to do is to choose a date, a venue – indoors or outdoors, in the garden, at home, school or work – and then invite your friends to your Great Big Purple Picnic. But don’t forget to think purple: whether it’s purple bunting, purple picnic blankets, purple wigs or purple drinks, it’s up to you!

You can download a fundraising and information pack on www.amh.org.uk or request one by emailing [email protected] or by calling 028 9182 8494.

The good-hearted people of Northern Ireland – known the world over for their generosity – have lived up to their reputation, helping to raise nearly £50,000 to support Action Mental Health’s services through the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. And we’re still counting…

There was a carnival atmosphere at the popular event which attracted record numbers of participants in the first ever marathon to take place on a Sunday.

Thousands more people turned out to line the route to cheer on the participants of the 38^th marathon event in the city with a route that started at Stormont and snaked its way through Belfast – from east to west, north and south.

Around 18,000 took part in the five different events of the day, including the full marathon, the wheelchair race, team relay, walk and fun run. Some 5,000 took part in the full marathon, marking record numbers for the event which began in Belfast in 1982.

Around 500 people took part in Sunday’s event on behalf of Action Mental Health which was one of five designated charity partners – and the amount raised so far has the charity glowing with appreciation, knowing the impact that these vital funds will have.

Team AMH were out in force with a mix of participants braving the full marathon, the team relay, the 9 mile walk and the fun run.

Action Mental Health was delighted by the participation by its charity partners Danske Bank, Allstate, CTS Projects and Phillips Healthcare who were all represented. AMH was also fortunate to have the support of a number of other local firms and organisations including Queen’s University, Ulster University, the Henderson Group, Clanmill Housing Association, City of Belfast Boxing, Donaldson Consulting, Wilson Salt, Doran Consulting, Framar Health, Murlands Solicitors and B Connected Media.

AMH was also lucky to have a number of high profile personalities on board for its ‘Dream Relay Team’ including Cecilia Daly, BBC weather presenter; Steve Thornton, manager of the Belfast Giants; and UTV broadcast journalist Deborah McAleese and her husband Jonathan McCambridge, former deputy editor of the Belfast Telegraph and author of popular blog ‘What’s A Daddy For?’

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington was overjoyed by the support shown in its first marathon charity designation.

“Action Mental Health was lucky enough to clinch one of the five designated charity spots of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon 2019 and because of that opportunity, a staggering amount has been raised to help fund vital mental health services provided by Action Mental Health.

“Almost £50,000 has been raised so far by the generous people of Northern Ireland who have once again dug deep to support us – be they individuals, community groups, our faithful corporate partners and other businesses who selected Action Mental Health as the recipient of their marathon efforts in both physical and fundraising terms.

“We are indebted to each and every one of them, and we also want to place on record our deep appreciation to Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon which opened the door to such a great opportunity, not only to raise funds, but also to raise awareness of mental health in Northern Ireland.”

For Responsible Business Week 2019, Action Mental Health would like to shine a light and say a massive thank you to Corporate Partner Danske Bank who have just entered into their third and final year with the local charity. Danske Bank highlights the pinnacle of what the week stands for. Building a better and healthier workforce, helping to sustain our local economy and fostering healthier communities all across Northern Ireland.

Partnering with Action Mental Health in January 2017, Danske Bank dedicated themselves to not only highlighting positive mental health amongst their own staff, but also raising funds to support vital work across the country in promoting positive emotional health and well-being for now and for generations to come.

One in five of us in Northern Ireland will experience a mental health issue in our lifetime. This equates to 1 in 5, that we know of. Sadly, many still do not receive the support that they need and more shockingly, half of all mental issues begin before the age of 14. A staggering 10% of 5-16 year olds in Northern Ireland have a diagnosable mental health problem and Danske Bank have put themselves at the forefront of addressing this problem so we can nurture a healthier youth. With Action Mental Health’s early intervention resilience and emotional well-being programmes, we hope to tackle issues head on before they begin.

With these school’s programmes not receiving any government funding and with the charity providing the programmes free of charge to schools, Action Mental Health rely solely on the generosity of local businesses, associations, community groups and individuals to continue with their vital work. The charity currently has a 6 month waiting list for their school’s programmes which shows just how high the demand is within our schools for help and support for their students. Danske Bank have played a critical role in helping to ensure Action Mental Health continue to be there to support and help our young people develop healthy coping mechanisms for the struggles daily life throws their way when they need it most.

In particular, Danske Bank have been strong advocates and supporters for the ‘Healthy Me’ programme aimed at 8-11 year olds in primary school settings. This programme helps young people to identify their vast range of emotions and ensure they know who their key points of contact are should they feel they need help and support. In their first 2 years of the partnership alone, Danske employees have raised a staggering £130,000 allowing Action Mental Health to reach a further 13,000 young people across Northern Ireland. From abseils, picnics, dragon boat races and marathons to name but a few, these incredible employees know no bounds in offering their support and everyone can’t wait to see what 2019 brings.

In addition to all the employees incredible work around the ‘Healthy Me’ programme, they are also keen volunteers in assisting Action Mental Health with their adult recovery programme, ‘New Horizons’ and also helping them keep their buildings up to code and fit for purpose for the attending clients. The ‘New Horizons’ programme focuses on local adult’s journey to positive mental health by offering a range of recognised qualifications, training, personal development programmes and social and recreational activities with the aim of aiding clients progress towards further education or employment.

Over the last 2 years, Danske staff have been active supporters in providing CV skills, interview skills and customer service skills coaching alongside courses such as fraud awareness and money management, all of which have been invaluable for Action Mental Health’s clients. Just recently, staff have delivered training in the Newtownards service, Antrim and Downpatrick, with more training upcoming for Craigavon. These service locations have also benefited from some TLC from enthusiastic volunteers helping with painting and gardening. Action Mental Health’s service locations have slowly been spreading across Northern Ireland from 1963 and many are tucked away in industrial estates as they were established at a time when mental health was seen as an issue better out of sight and out of mind. The care the team have been pouring into the buildings really has helped give them a new lease of live and created a warm, welcoming and safe environment for clients.

Not forgetting, Danske Bank also go to extraordinary lengths to support the mental health and well-being of their own staff encouraging the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’* – connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving. Staff from across several Danske sites took park in several parkrun’s at the end of March 2019. While they did very generously raise funds for Action Mental Health for this, the main focus was on them getting out, taking in some fresh air, exercising and connecting with their colleagues while doing so and it was lovely to see. Physical well-being has direct links to our mental well-being and the team at Action Mental Health were thrilled to see the team taking time out of their own busy schedules to spend some important time reflecting on their own health, both physical and mental.

Danske Bank staff celebrating with Oakfield Primary School, Carrickfergus in January 2019 following raising an incredible £130,000 at the end of their 2nd year in partnership with Action Mental Health

With Mental Health Awareness Week fast approaching (13^th – 19^th May 2019), the Danske team are once again going to be shining a light on employee mental health and well-being. On Tuesday 14^th May, the Business Development Team will be taking on a 500 mile walking challenge involving circling parts of some of their different sites. Connecting with colleagues, being active, taking notice of their surroundings (and hopefully the nice weather!), learning about their colleagues and more about Mental Health Awareness Week and also giving their time and energy to such a great cause that affects so many of us in Northern Ireland – either through personal experience or through the experiences of friends and family.

Danske Bank could not be more highly commended and recognised for their dedication in tackling mental health within Northern Ireland. Their commitment to their employees, to our young people and to communities right across Northern Ireland is not just recognised by Action Mental Health, but from other professionals across the country as shown by being short listed for no less than four awards in the Business in the Community ‘Responsible Business Awards 2019’ – Responsible Digital Innovation, Wellbeing at Work, Diversity & Inclusion and NI Responsible Company of the Year.

 

 

Alex Murdock, Fundraising & Engagement Coordinator at Action Mental Health had this to say:

“I cannot think of a more deserving company and staff to receive these awards and wish Danske Bank the best of luck for the upcoming awards ceremony in May. Their incredible support of Action Mental Health over the last two years has completely blown me away and I am thoroughly looking forward to helping them create a lasting legacy surrounding positive mental health for both their employees and Northern Ireland as a whole throughout 2019. On behalf of everyone at Action Mental Health, thank you for embracing our journey to create a society which actively values and supports people on their journey towards positive mental health, thank you for stepping up and sharing the responsibility for creating a healthier community and thank you for helping us create a better today and a better tomorrow. We honestly could not do it without you.”

*The Five Ways to Wellbeing was developed by New Economics Foundation. It is a set of evidence-based actions designed to improve personal wellbeing.