The founder of popular online magazine platform Belfast Times has been pounding the pavement for the last year in preparation for his marathon debut.

Jeff Meredith has been keeping his readers and social media followers up-to-date with efforts on and has been raising money for Action Mental Health with every tread of the tarmac.

Action Mental Health is one of five lucky charities selected to benefit from fundraising efforts by participants in the Deep RiveRock Belfast City Marathon 2019 which takes place this Sunday, May 5.

Jeff began running just last year, fulfilling a long-time ambition to join the countless runners who find their way to fitness out in the fresh air. His journey began with the goal to reduce his cholesterol without taking medication but he didn’t realise how beneficial running and outdoor exercise would be for his mental health.

He’s now a committed runner who is not only four stones lighter but also a vocal advocate for the mental health benefits that outdoor exercise and running provides. His path to a more streamlined self followed an emotional low point when a serendipitous meeting with an AMH volunteer helped steer him in the right direction.

Jeff explains: “I’ve chosen to raise funds for Action Mental Health because one day at my stall in St. George’s Market, when I was packing up after the weekend, I just burst into floods of tears. I didn’t realise how low I had got. A fellow trader, who is a volunteer with AMH, gave me leaflets to read which started my journey to better awareness of my own mental health.”

You can read all about Jeff’s journey in his own words, and also support his fundraising efforts for AMH, on his Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeffsfirstmarathon

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

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.

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.

As the spotlight shines on Autism Awareness Week this month a client at Action Mental Health’s Newry and Mourne’s Vision Project, Adrienne, shares her journey towards recovery…

My name is Adrienne. I’m 27 and I have Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism which affects my social interaction and communication skills. I also affects how I process and interpret information. I do not understand figures of speech unless I have learned their true meanings and tend to interpret things literally. So, I don’t always realise if someone is joking or not. I also have limited non-verbal communication and a poor short-term memory so I cannot process a lot of information at once.

My Asperger’s caused me difficulties at home, such as arguments with family members, and at university, as it took me longer to complete my coursework and other tasks in general. Not understanding my coursework, requiring clarification of things mentioned in lectures and in particular, group work, were all significant issues for me. I found assignments – in which I was part of a group of students – was particularly hard because of my difficulties with social interaction. My fellow students would carry on with the assignment, while I didn’t understand it, so my input in the completed assignment was minimal.

I also found my chosen degree subject extremely difficult, so as a result of all of this my course work piled up, I couldn’t do my exams and my stress levels became extremely high. In addition, I didn’t know about my Asperger’s until I went to university and when I found out more about my syndrome I thought I would never get a job or make anything of myself because I had a disability. So I became depressed.

Due to arguments at home and my difficulties at university, I was on the verge of quitting university and running away from everything. Then my aunt found temporary accommodation for me, which allowed me to move out from the family home. I left university with a Bachelor of Science Ordinary Degree, depression, no self-esteem and no intention of applying for jobs because I felt as though all the hard work and stress I experienced trying to obtain my degree had come to nothing.

I was unemployed for two years and in that time I completed a Prince’s Trust course (an organisation I would highly recommend). It gave me my confidence back so I started applying for jobs. I got many interviews and was capable of doing the work required, but because of my difficulties with processing and interpreting information due to my Asperger’s, the responses I gave at these interviews did not answer the questions being asked. Thus, I was constantly unsuccessful. The confidence I regained from the Prince’s Trust course was lost completely and I was on the verge of giving up, until my Occupational Therapist got me into Action Mental Health New Horizons Newry & Mourne.

I took the term ‘New Horizons’ to mean me moving on to bigger and better things – a new start, the beginning of a better life for myself. At New Horizons I completed many accredited training courses including New Clait, ECDL, Advanced ECDL, Digital Skills, Cookery and Personal Careers Preparation. I am currently accessing the Vision Service to complete my NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration and through this training and with the help of the Employment Officer in New Horizons I very fortunately secured a work experience placement in McKeown’s Solicitors. I was initially supported by the Vision Support Worker until I gained the confidence, knowledge and skills to do this on my own.

I have been employed there on Supported Permitted Work Higher 15½ hours per week as an Administration Assistant for two years now and I very much enjoy it. I get on very well with my colleagues who are a wonderful support to me and always include me in any of their planned social events.

I would very highly recommend the Vision Service within Action Mental Health New Horizons for people with Asperger’s because it has been a huge part of the journey to the success and fulfilment in my life which I never believed was possible. Now I live in a larger house with lots of nice things and I have my independence. I have come a long way since leaving university and my life has changed for the better.

Clients of Action Mental Health in the North West have called for a greater focus on mental health services during a local elections hustings event at its Foyle New Horizon Service in Derry/Londonderry.

AMH Chief Executive, David Babington, also called for better investment in mental health services when he addressed clients, mental health stakeholders and representatives of the local parties who are running the forthcoming local council elections.

The event gave the audience the chance to quiz their local politicians on some of the issues that matter to them most – notably mental health and well-being.

Service users from the charity raised questions on a wide range of topics. These included the impact of Brexit and the ongoing stalemate at Stormont on mental health funding; issues around marriage equality; benefit reform and housing and how these factors can have a particularly severe impact on people with mental illness. They also asked what actions the Council could take to address issues at a local level, such as what could be done to promote early intervention and better signposting for local sources of mental health support.

Representatives who took part included Mark Durkan (SDLP), Rachael Ferguson (Alliance), Conor Heaney (Sinn Fein), Derek Hussey (UUP) and Ryan McCready (DUP).

Similar events have taken place around some of Action Mental Health’s nine New Horizons service across Northern Ireland  in the run up to May 2nd local council elections.

David Babington said: “For too long Northern Ireland’s mental health services have remained the Cinderella service within the NHS. Add to that the lengthy hiatus of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont and we have a mental health provision that’s not fit for purpose. Northern Ireland has the highest incidence of mental health problems in the UK, and the lowest level of spending on mental health services and as a result the situation is unsustainable.

“The share of the health budget allocated to mental health is much lower than England yet our incidence of mental health problems is 25% higher. It’s a similar picture in comparison to Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Our need is greater yet we invest the least.”

“If we don’t break that cycle, it is self-evident that the problems will continue to mount and that mental health provision will continue to be the forgotten service in our NHS locally. To simply match the rates of investment seen in England we would need to see an increase of £130m each year, however our overall trend is of investment declining.”

Clients who attend New Horizons take part in the Working it Out project which is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy and the five NI Health and Social Care Trusts.

Autism is a hidden disability. Subsequently, it’s not easy to recognise when someone has the condition. To counter this difficulty some people with ASD carry a card or information leaflet to advise others they have the condition. Others don’t and these people often struggle within society. Individuals with autism have difficulty in accessing a variety of services, from housing, training, employment, health and social care to sport and leisure activities. But the right support can make a huge difference: understanding autism has the power to change lives.

Importantly, the unique aspect of the Vision Project is its integration within the wider AMH New Horizons service. Supported by skills coaches, the Vision Project provides clients with the opportunity to engage in all training areas, from personal development, vocational and employability, to the complementary addition of the social and recreational activities on offer. The potential for group-based learning, which the Vision Project affords, is a vital development for clients.

The Regional Strategy, driven by the Regional ASD Network (RASDN), identifies two key strategic priorities in respect of employment and employability:

• To work towards increasing the number of people with autism entering all levels of employment and safeguard the rights of those people with autism already in work.
• To increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to attain skills and qualifications through access to appropriate training and lifelong learning opportunities.

Difficulties

People on the autism spectrum suffer a number of particular difficulties, which AMH Newry and Mourne’s Vision Project aims to alleviate through its specialised support. Though individuals’ experience differing symptoms, a number are common, including:

• Social and language difficulties: Establishing and maintaining relationship difficulties occurs with the majority of people with autism. This can be as a result of poor understanding of social cues and a literal interpretation of others’ language, which can result in social isolation. As a consequence, vocational needs are often ignored or overlooked. Moreover people who have been supported to engage socially, either by family members or statutory services throughout their development can struggle to function independently as adults.
• Mental health difficulties: People on the autism spectrum experience a wide range of mental health difficulties, with the most common difficulties being anxiety and depression. Some experience personality difficulties, with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) being common. Some people can also display irritability or aggression although that is often a consequence of poor understanding amongst caregivers and acquaintances.
• Functional difficulties: Individuals with autism may struggle to live independently, or they may require the assistance of family members or statutory services to support them with the routine of daily life, from tending to personal care, getting groceries or general community living skills which bring them in to contact with other people. They may also take considerable time to perform basic tasks as a result of their symptoms – or’ checking behaviours’ – or cognitive rigidity.

Kevin’s Story

Kevin, (not his real name) is a 23-year-old man who lives at home with his parents and sibling. He was referred to AMH in 2016 following a diagnosis of ASD and because he required structure to his daily routine.

On commencing with AMH, Kevin, who is a bubbly young man who usually integrates well with others, sometimes engaged with other people in an inappropriate manner. He also suffered mild anxiety in certain situations and sometimes has a tendency to make inappropriate comments which can often lead to conflict. Kevin recognised that he needed to learn how to cope better in social situations and that he needed to further develop his confidence and self-esteem.

Kevin harboured a long-term goal to gain part-time, paid employment in the retail sector, having previously achieved a number of qualifications in this area. He completed retail training at the Vision Project to develop his customer service and social interaction skills and was fortunate to secure a training work placement in a branch of a multi-national company.  As a result, his communication techniques and social skills with both staff and customers have developed a great deal.

Kevin, who has been at the Newry and Mourne Vision Project for two and a half years, is extremely eager to attain qualifications and to further develop his existing knowledge and skills. He has completed 35 accredited modules including a range of vocational, employability, personal development qualifications and also achieved his Level 2 Essential Skills in English – recognised by employers as a GCSE equivalent.  Kevin is also currently repeating his maths in order to improve his opportunities for future employment.

Subsequently, Kevin secured temporary, part-time work in a retail outlet, which gave him experience of working with customers, money, stock etc. He really thrived in this environment  and though the post was temporary, Kevin has been through a number of job interviews and he is confident that the right job is just around the corner. Kevin remains focused, and with the support of his family and Action Mental Health he hopes to secure permanent employment in the very near future.

Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate with and relates to other people. It also impacts on how they experience the world around them. The causes of autism are still unknown but many experts believe there is more than a single cause and that genetics may play a significant factor.

There is no known ‘cure’ for autism but that does not mean nothing can be done to help individuals on the autism spectrum develop and flourish as a person. So much has been learnt about the condition since it was first identified in the 1940s, including the fact that it can affect people in many different ways – and indeed two people with the same diagnosis can have a very different profile of needs and skills.

Alongside Action Mental Health’s New Horizons service in Newry and Mourne – which supports the recovery of individuals with mental ill-health through the delivery of vocational, employability and personal development training – is its Vision Project. The project is designed for people with the comorbid diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome/high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and mental ill-health. It is delivered in partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) and the Department for Economy through the European Social Fund. It was developed in 2003 in response to identified need in the Newry and Mourne area with the aim of supporting them to achieve their full potential through the provision of a person-centred training and employment service.

John’s Story  

John, (not his real name) is thirty years old and lives at home with his parents. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of 15 and suffers from social anxiety which affects his ability to engage in social settings. Prior to attending AMH he was reclusive, remaining at home for ten years, engaging only with family members. He had received support in school but had availed of no other services until 2016 when he was referred to mental health services.

When John first attended AMH New Horizons Newry and Mourne’s Vision Project he lacked confidence and self-esteem. He found it difficult to engage with others, solely focusing on completing computer courses as this did not require any interaction with others. One-to-one support was provided for him initially, but he was then encouraged to participate in group training within the service and to interact with other service users.

Due to the success of the support John has received, he has progressed from attending the service from just half a day a week to two to three days each week, depending on courses offered. He is actively working with an AMH Employment Officer to secure paid employment and has attended interviews with Tesco and other local organisations. He also recently completed a training placement with a major local company. Through skilled intervention and consistency there has been a notable improvement in the development of John’s social interaction and communication skills.

With a total of 30 accredited modules under his belt, including vocational, employability and personal development qualifications John completed all of these qualifications in a group setting which required interaction and discussion with group members. John, who spent  two years with AMH Newry and Mourne, is also considering completing his essential skills in numeracy, as he left school without his GCSE in maths and hopes that this will increases his opportunity for employment.

John’s parents have also stated that he has shown huge progress in terms of personal development and appropriate learning since engaging in this service.

Ultimately, John successfully gained employment working for a cinema and although he is not currently still with them, the experience of going for an interview, being successful and starting work has added significantly to John’s self-esteem. He is confident that he will find the right job for his skills and personality and is putting in the hard work to make this a reality. On the personal side, John has got engaged and is happily making plans for his future. John has come a long way since the young man who couldn’t leave his house and AMH New Horizons Newry and Mourne Vision Project  could not be more proud of his achievements and of the part the organisation has played in his development.

Volunteering your time to help Action Mental Health raise funds is not only good for us –  it is also good for you, as well as your community.

The reasons for volunteering for a good cause are manifold. Volunteering provides vital help to people and groups in need right across your community.

But the benefits don’t stop there.

Not only will your time, offered freely, help raise funds for charities, like us at Action Mental Health, it can actually improve your own mental health and well-being.

Studies have shown that volunteering is beneficial at combating stress, depression and anxiety and also serves to keep you mentally stimulated, improve your self-confidence and provide you with a sense of purpose.

• It doesn’t matter whether you volunteer for a single event, or whether you want to make a more long-term commitment and volunteer on a regular basis, you’ll be a valued member of team AMH – and it will be worth it. Any time you can give on a volunteer basis can make a meaningful difference to people with mental health needs throughout Northern Ireland.
• You will meet like-minded people who are passionate about making a positive difference to people’s mental health and well-being.
• It’s an excellent opportunity to boost your career prospects by enhancing your CV or UCAS application and help you stand out from the crowd.
• Volunteering helps boost your own well-being. According to the Public Health Agency the act of giving is one of five evidence-based steps – and one of the Five Ways to Well-Being – that we can take to improve our mental well-being. Giving to others stimulates the reward areas in the brain, creating positive feelings. Read for yourself how it can benefit you: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/give-for-mental-wellbeing/
• It will help teach your children about the impact of giving back to the community. Children watch everything you do, so, by following your example, it will give them first-hand experience of the benefits of volunteering, both to those on the receiving end, and to themselves.
• You’ll have lots of fun! We have plenty of fun opportunities such as volun-cheering to support our runners at the Belfast City Marathon.
• You’ll meet new people and make new friends! Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area.
• It will provide you with an opportunity to gain valuable new skills, knowledge and experience – such as communication, problem solving and teamwork.
• Volunteering is a great opportunity to give back to a charity that you believe in or that has impacted you either directly or indirectly.
• It will help boost your confidence and self-esteem, by gaining personally from new experiences and meeting new people.
• It will also help you log volunteering hours for Gold Duke of Edinburgh – for those over 18.
• Even if you have limited mobility there are still ways you can help us here at Action Mental Health. You can volunteer to man one of our cheer stations at the upcoming Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon, on Sunday, May 5; host your own Great Big Purple Picnic, an annual event which takes place in spring; or devise your own fundraising effort to suit your personal requirements.

What’s Involved?

Join us cheering on our fantastic runners and cyclists across Northern Ireland, promoting AMH at glamorous wedding fairs or join the team on collection days.

You will be notified of our exciting volunteering opportunities and then it’s up to you to pick and choose which events you would like to participate in.

Who can Volunteer?      

No experience is necessary to volunteer for Action Mental Health, however, you must be at least 18 years of age unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What Volunteering Means to Us?

By volunteering with us you’ll be helping to raise money and awareness to help change the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promoting resilience and well-being to future generations.

The next Local Government Elections will be held on Thursday, 2 May 2019, Councillors will be elected for each of the eleven council areas in NI.

• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
• Ards and North Down Borough Council
• Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
• Belfast City Council
• Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
• Derry City and Strabane District Council
• Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
• Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
• Mid & East Antrim Borough Council
• Mid Ulster District Council
• Newry, Mourne & Down District Council

Councillors are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the local community about:

• Local Services – such as waste collections, cemeteries, sports, leisure services and recreational facilities, parks, open spaces and playgrounds, arts, heritage and cultural facilities, registration of births, deaths and marriages
• Planning
• Off-street parking
• Local economic development
• Local tourism
• Heritage

Councillors are also appointed to represent their councils or elected members in general, on a number of public bodies.

We held a Hustings in AMH New Horizons Newry recently, where clients has the chance to ask candidates who are standing for election  lots of questions on a range of subjects.

The next event will take place in our Foyle service – details of how to get involved below!