All posts by actionmentalhealth

AMH Celebrates Adult Learning

March 11, 2019 actionmentalhealth

This year marks the fourth year of the annual Belfast Festival of Learning.

The theme of this year’s festival is celebration – celebration of our UNESCO status (Belfast joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2018, the first city in Northern Ireland to do so) and celebration of all the excellent opportunities that Belfast offers across the wide spectrum of learning. The festival showcases a wonderful array of free, fun and interesting events across the city, with something for everyone. Each year it is a fantastic and visible demonstration of ‘Belfast a Learning City’, bringing to life what learning really means and the impact this has on many people’s lives.

Action Mental Health was delighted to take part in a seminar examining the links between adult learning, well-being and work.

Organised by the NI Impact Forum on Adult Learning and EPALE UK, Professor Olga Tregaskis (University of East Anglia and What Works Centre for Wellbeing) presented on the latest research, and Mark Ravenhall presented a report from the Learning & Work Institute – Learning, Work and Health the next 70 years.

AMH’s Operation Manager Peter Shields presented on the work of Action Mental Health in Northern Ireland. He was joined on stage by AMH New Horizons client Robert Shanks, who is taking part in the ESF funded Working it Out project in our Ards Service, and one of our Workable (NI) clients – John Morgan.

Peter Shields, John Morgan (AMH Workable NI Programme – Employed at the Belfast Recovery College), Robert Shanks (AMH New Horizons Newtownards Client). All three spoke at this event.

Speakers at Event : Left to Right : Peter Shields – AMH, Professor Olga Tregaskis – University of East Anglia, John Morgan – AMH Workable (NI) Client, Mark Ravenhall – Learning & Work Institute, Robert Shanks – AMH New Horizons Newtownards Client, Joyce Black – Learning & Work Institute

AMH’s Working it Out project is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy. The Workable (NI) Programme is funded by the Department for the Communities. Action Mental Health is co-lead of the SES Supported Employment Solutions partnership, which is made up of seven disability organisations from across Northern Ireland who have come together to deliver the Workable (NI) Programme across the Region.

AMH News

Audrey Allen wins at CO3 Leadership Awards 2019!

March 8, 2019 actionmentalhealth

It is very fitting on International Women’s Day, that we can announce our Head of Operations – Audrey Allen has won “The Leading People Award” at last nights CO3 Leadership Awards.

Audrey has been Head of Operations at Action Mental Health since 2012 and has responsibility for
over 160 staff , including 16 managers, 60 tutors/skills coaches, employment officers and specialists,
drivers, administrative staff and a quality assurance team, plus a loyal band of volunteers supporting
operational delivery. Her span of responsibilities and staff complement has nearly doubled since her
role was first created six years ago. As a member of the Senior Management Team, she attends all
Board and most Committee meetings.

Joining AMH as a trainee manager in 1991, Audrey progressed to area manager, a role she filled for
11 years. Alongside developing her own skillset, she has also encouraged the long-term
development of AMH employees, resulting in great staff retention, while consistently attracting
people from within the Third Sector and beyond.

The comprehensive expansion of AMH services is testament to her dedication to invest in staff,
clients and volunteers who support the delivery of new client-focused services. Audrey’s approach
illustrates her commitment to improving the lives of those with mental health issues and to develop
resilience across communities in Northern Ireland.Audrey champions the training of staff across AMH and operational staff in particular, she recognises that engaged leaders who are well supported are better able to deliver services more effectively. She has championed a range of interventions such as a recently introduced Leadership and Development Framework and a new appraisals process linked to training and development. She has been pivotal with her involvement in the AMH Quality Improvement Team and the Staff Information and Consultation Committee which considers staff development issues and responds to the biennial Staff Survey. The outworking of these has been a range of supports to develop staff and managers including coaching and/or mentoring, placements and career breaks which has contributed to a culture of lifelong learning in staff and clients alike.

We are delighted that Audrey’s hard work and dedication has been recognised – Well done Audrey!

AMH News

Celebrating International Women’s Day with the wonderful women of AMH.

March 8, 2019 actionmentalhealth

Today is International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate all of womankind. A day to hail the accomplishments, successes, complexities and inner beauty of women – the mothers, grandmothers and childless alike; young, old and middle-aged. That’s every woman: the pioneers, the flag bearers, the leaders, the artistic and talented, but also the disadvantaged, the displaced and the desperate.

As we celebrate with the rest of the world, close to home we can’t do so without praising the wonderful women who have come through the doors of Action Mental Health over the years. The woman who have sought refuge from anxiety or depression – some mere shells of their former selves. At AMH, they’ve been given support to transform into women they never knew they could become – strong resolute: women of substance, no matter how hard their journey or how long their road to recovery.

Women like Charis….

“I know how it is to feel empty and trapped in pain. If anyone is offering you help, just grab it with both hands, because it can and will get better. I promise you. You are never, ever alone in this fight. All I can say is-the staff in AMH New Horizons gave me my life back.”

Women like Rumer

“I get to brag to all my friends that ” I MADE this!” and it’s been getting me out of bed and out the house before noon every Wednesday for months which is a much bigger deal that it sounds, seriously.”

Women like Michelle

“I could not give up no matter how hard it got for me. Persistence and the goal to be the new person my family and I could be proud of and able to live with, kept me focused”.

Women like Emma

“I was willing to try anything in order to help with my social anxiety and confidence”.

Read their stories by clicking on their names – and discover more inspirational stories here.

AMH News

Action Mental Health commended as its vocational learners reap rewards for their labours

March 6, 2019 actionmentalhealth

AMH Clients receiving their OCN NI commendations are (from left) Anthony McCrory and Chloe Adams – both of AMH New Horizons Derriaghy; Lisa Cole and Veronica Trainor (AMH New Horizons Newry), Stephen Condie (Antrim) and Linda Stevenson (Craigavon). Missing from picture is Eileen Pollock (Craigavon).

Hard-working clients at Action Mental Health have been lauded for their labours to attain recognised qualifications, as the organisation was commended for providing them with the opportunity to achieve them.

Seven clients who attend a variety of Action Mental Health’s nine New Horizons Services around Northern Ireland received their Open College Network NI (OCN NI) vocational qualifications at its first Recognising Learning Endeavour Awards ceremony at Belfast’s Stormont Hotel on March 5.

All seven clients received ‘Highly Commended’ awards at the ceremony, while Action Mental Health also received a ‘Highly Commended’ Award in the ‘Provider of the Year’ Category.

OCN NI is a UK regulated awarding organisation and educational charity that designs and awards vocational qualifications for adults and young people across all sector areas. It awards professional and technical qualifications, tackling educational underachievement and addressing skills gaps in Northern Ireland.

Chief Executive of Action Mental Health, David Babington added: “AMH New Horizons have been a longstanding provider of OCN qualifications, which have acted as a catalyst for participants to engage in other service programmes with the ultimate goal of improving their well-being and quality of life.

“We’re delighted with these inaugural awards and look forward to celebrating the achievements of our learners. Supporting this event helps us contribute to realising our vision – a society which actively values and supports people on their journey to positive mental health,” he added.

AMH New Horizons is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.

Martin Flynn, CEO of OCNI said: “At OCN NI, we are continually inspired by the hard work, perseverance and accomplishments of our learners and approved centres. The Awards recognise the achievements of learners who seek to achieve their goals in life and work and their tutors/teachers and educational providers who help enable them to succeed. The OCN NI has a commitment to ensure that as many people as possible, irrespective of their background get an opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills in their chosen field of endeavour.”

AMH Regional staff, Anne Broughton, Peter Shields and Linsey Blair.

Testimonials

“You are never alone in this fight” – Charis’ Story

March 4, 2019 actionmentalhealth

As a kid, I was always told I was a ‘bright wee spark’. I loved to make people laugh, whether it be at
home or at school. I loved to learn, anything and everything and skipped my way down to Primary
every morning.

There was a part of me though, that was highly perfectionist. It hadn’t really become an issue until I
reached secondary school, which was a huge culture shock for my already sensitive disposition.
Academics became my life. Partly because of how isolated I felt there; how devoid I was of any real
friendships, but also because I felt the need to escape from the anguish at home. My Dad’s turbulent
battle with alcoholism had shredded the picture-perfect memory of my childhood, turning home life
into a constant pressure-cooker of stress and worry. Bullying also became a big part of my daily life
at school. The continual verbal and sometimes physical abuse affected both me and my twin sister
deeply, to the point where even the mere mention of school made us physically sick with nerves.
I finally hit a crisis point at the age of sixteen, just as I had entered my AS level. Depression had taken me over, snatched all emotion I had in my body and left me like an empty shell with no drive to continue my studies. I dropped out and spent the next two years hidden away from the world under my duvet, plagued with nightmares, voices and suicidal thoughts and too frightened to step outside my front door. By this point, I had attempted to take my life three times, and needed drastic help before it became too late.

Gradually, through Doctors referrals I accessed various programmes, all which helped to some degree, but the journey seemed interminable. It was my Mum that first suggested a short Drama course in AMH New Horizons Downpatrick. And although it was the very last thing I felt like doing (I was deeply insecure and was terrified of the
thought of acting), I took the plunge and signed up. As soon as I entered the building I felt welcomed, the whole atmosphere of the class was different than any group I’d been to before. Within a few weeks, I felt like I had a place to express myself without judgment, somewhere safe I could learn without pressure or expectation. I quickly signed up to the year long version of the course, which helped improve my confidence immensely. Kitty, the tutor, was more than I ever could of asked for in a support worker. She was patient and kind, incredibly understanding and selfless in her encouragement. She listened when I needed someone there the most, and allowed me to dip my toe into learning again at a pace that suited me.

After drama came communication skills, stress management, confidence building, employability and a slew of other personal development classes. I also went regularly to the weekly art class, run by Tom, whose humour and upbeat nature made even my most distressed days bearable.

The next step in my development was to get a placement in a work environment without the responsibility of being a paid employee. The possibility of getting a job utterly terrified me, but through completing my NVQ Customer Service skills with Kitty once again as my tutor, I was able to build up my skills and dilute my trepidation tenfold.

Over the next year my mood still fluctuated, with panic attacks almost weekly. No words are enough to describe the gratitude and admiration I have for the staff at AMH New Horizons Downpatrick for their support and understanding through those turbulent times. On completion of my NVQ, Stephanie, (my employment officer) encouraged me to consider getting a part time job in retail as this was something I came to really enjoy. She was incredible. She worked tirelessly on my behalf researching possible employment options, filling out my CVs and travelling miles to accompany me to interviews when I was too anxious to do it alone. She was always on hand
to encourage me, even when I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore.

Eventually I secured my first official job at Edinburgh Woolen Mill where I’m gaining confidence and experience with hours that suit my needs. It’s a wonderful working environment; every staff member is friendly and supportive. I actually look forward to work everyday, which I never thought would be possible.

I am always going to be a work in progress, but looking back over the last six years I hardly recognise the person that I was. As for my journey, I’ve been incredibly lucky to meet the most amazing and dedicated people, all of whom have helped me realise that life can be worth living again.

My message to anyone reading this:

Many thanks to Charis for sharing her story. Charis is taking 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 & Social Care Trusts. To find out more please click here.

AMH News

Eating Disorders Awareness Week – a powerful poem by someone who knows…

March 3, 2019 actionmentalhealth

For the final segment of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we give the last word to someone who knows only too well the personal battle being waged within individuals who deal with the issue of eating disorders day in day out.

(The names have been changed to protect the writer’s identity.)

A Journey with my ‘Best Friend’, ED.

By a client of AMH everBODY

On a journey with no final destination,

Looking for answers, impatiently waiting.

Moments of realisation come to the fore,

Moments of madness I seem to have more.

It’s Sunday now and I’ve survived another week,

The thoughts of a new one though is still as bleak.

I dread each one as much as the last,

Praying to God they pass by right and fast.

I’m wishing my life away, of that I know,

It feels like I’ve no other way to go.

Waiting for each day to pass by,

Doing everything in my power just to not cry.

Some days however the tears they do stream,

Other days all I want to do is scream.

Nobody to talk to who will understand,

So I just hold it all in and say ‘I’m grand’.

People don’t get it and rightly so,

They can’t see how I’m feeling this low.

I don’t blame anyone as it’s my own fault,

I’ve locked my real self away in a vault.

I’ve thrown away the key as far as I can,

And to start searching I need to lift the ban.

To do that though I have to actually want to,

I need to wake up and change my whole view.

I really wish at the minute I knew how,

But with myself stuck in this rut, I can’t allow.

No room for change or flexibility,

To me this is easier, the simplicity.

People won’t understand how I can say this is easier,

Than to sit with feelings of getting fatter and lazier.

To carry on like this and stay in the comfort zone,

Is easier than to fight and face the unknown.

I don’t see where my life is going,

I suppose with anyone there’s no way of knowing.

I would like some small changes with a few things,

At the minute I’ve no idea what the future brings.

I’ve no security in any aspect of my life,

This feeling cuts me deep like a knife.

I have visions of the future of how I foresee,

Jake and I plus a few mini me’s!

What I’m doing now I’m ruining that chance,

My life is flashing by me at a glance.

I want to settle down with my boo,

But I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to.

Who in their right mind wants to deal with this,

The moods, the anger, the indecisiveness?

Every part of my life has now felt the blow,

Jake, my family and even my job, I know.

No social life like a normal 24 year old,

These should be my best years I keep being told.

Instead I sit here starving myself,

Even though I see what I am doing to my health.

Spending my days running and avoiding food,

Even though I see clearly how it’s affecting my mood.

Feeling cold and lethargic most of the time,

Even though I know why in my own mind.

All these ‘even thoughts’ still don’t make me stop,

My head is going crazy, it’s about to pop.

As I sit here writing this I could say so much more,

I could just keep going and let the feelings pour.

It’s not until I take a step back and think,

What I’m doing to myself, it makes my heart sink.

Why am I doing this to myself I just can’t tell,

Why am I putting those who love me through hell?

It’s the most selfish thing as it’s affecting others,

But to me sometimes none of that matters.

I am so caught up in my own little bubble,

I don’t think about how I am causing all this trouble.

To wave a magic wand and take this all away,

For that I would give my whole life’s worth of pay.

I’m writing everything negative down,

But I know it still won’t turn things around.

Nothing seems to be enough no matter what,

What the hell is it going to take to crack this nut?

My head is tormented, going round in circles,

Wakening each day and hoping for miracles.

Praying to God this is all a bad dream,

But it’s just as raw and real as it seems.

I want to love and be loved and laugh and dance,

I need to allow myself to have that chance.

Please somebody, anybody, help me rediscover,

The Katie of old, the Katie the ‘nutter’!

I can’t remember ‘normal’ so I need to relearn,

And to loosen this grip that is holding me so firm.

I want to be free from my ‘Best Friend’,

As I’m too young yet for my real journey to end…

AMH News

Eating Disorder Awareness Week – AMH everyBODY – a model of best practice for NI

March 3, 2019 actionmentalhealth

As Eating Disorder Awareness Week draws to a close, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the incidence of the issue in Northern Ireland society.

Each year in Northern Ireland some 50-120 people develop anorexia, while around 170 develop bulimia nervosa. There are around 100 admissions to acute hospitals for eating disorders every year, excluding patents requiring inpatient treatment outside Northern Ireland.

Between July 2012 and September 2015 the HSC Board revealed that 52 patients had to be sent to other hospitals or clinics in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland because the necessary treatment wasn’t available here for them at home. Two of those were under 18.

But there is hope – especially in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area who collaborate with Action Mental Health to deliver AMH everyBODY.

Since its relaunch in September – having undergone a facelift from its former guise ‘Adapt’ – the new look eating disorder service has helped support 177 people, who have benefited from one to one support, alongside a recovery plan back to health.

Some 2167 people have benefited from 41 awareness-raising sessions, delivered by specially trained staff who take the message of hope AMH everyBODY offers into the community. During that time, another 436 have had the support they seek via telephone or email – and that’s not an insignificant arm of support for people who feel afraid, desperate and alone in dealing with their eating disorder.

When Action Mental Health relaunched AMH everyBODY, it offered a model of best practice for the rest of Northern Ireland – but this potentially life-saving provision is available only within the Southern Health and Social Services Trust area.

During a special relaunch ceremony in September 2018 we shared the previous successes of the Adapt project, testament that was echoed by service users, some of whom readily declared that their lives have been saved by its intervention.

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.

And as people with eating disorders face waiting lists in Northern Ireland AMH everyBODY provides the route map for other trust areas to emulate.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington comments:

“AMH everyBODY helps to promote a greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders and to break the stigmas attached to a condition, including unhelpful assumptions that it is attention-seeking behaviour or fad dieting – having an eating disorder is a serious mental health condition. The focus of everyBODY’s approach is recovery and its emphasis is on the hope for those affected can and do recover.

“AMH everyBODY provides much needed support not only to the person affected but also to their families and friends and it is such a such a successful programme that we look forward to the day when it might be rolled out across other Trust areas across Northern Ireland.”

Shauna Duggan, Eating Disorder Team Lead SHCT adds,

“The Adult Eating Disorder Service in The Southern Trust Treat people with eating disorders at all levels of severity. Anyone presenting with an eating disorder has the opportunity to link in with AMH everyBODY as a means of support while they await their first appointment. Acknowledging that you have an eating disorder and taking the first steps to seek help can be very daunting. AMH everyBODY can help to support suffers and their families to prepare for treatment and know what is expected from them and the Trust. Carers can continue to receive support through 1:1 sessions with AMH everyBODY or at a monthly support group which is co-facilitated by both everyBODY and the Adult eating disorder service. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about themselves or a loved one to speak with their GP or make initial contact with AMH everyBODY who can support you to be referred”.

Click here to find out more about AMH everyBODY

AMH News

Eating Disorder Awareness Week – Bodytalk: keeping it real

March 2, 2019 actionmentalhealth

Eating Disorder Awareness Week will soon be over but the issue of eating disorders is ever-present in Northern Ireland society.

As part of Action Mental Health’s aim to foster resilience in future generations, one vital facet of AMH everyBODY’s work is the delivery of BODYTALK workshop within schools in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area. BodyTalk is an interactive workshop that aims to raise awareness and understanding of eating disorders, whilst looking at body image concerns in today’s society.

The workshop focuses on:

eating disorders – the signs and symptoms, myths and misconceptions, causes and prevention, and where to go for support;
body image concerns amongst young people – the role of the media with fitness, beauty and diet industry, and how to be aware of dangers and challenge harmful body ideals;
building a body positive image through self-supporting skills of resilience and confidence building.

These workshops include clips from the Dove Self-Esteem campaign, https://www.dove.com/uk/dove-self-esteem-project.html along with interactive self-esteem group activities that offer opportunity for group discussions. Free of charge, the workshops have been received very positively by schools and colleges within the Southern Trust area.

Speak out and find support

AMH everBODY advises anyone with concerns about eating disorders to break the silence and speak out. Whether confiding in a friend, teacher, youth worker or family member, the next stop should be with their GP. The GP will then make an initial assessment and decide whether or not a referral is needed into the Eating Disorder Teams within the Health and Social Care Trusts.

Anyone unsure about contacting their GP could first get in touch with the following community organisations:

Eating Disorders Association NI
28 Bedford Street
Belfast BT2 7EF

Tel: 028 9023 5959

http://www.eatingdisordersni.co.uk/Contact

The Laurence Trust
15 Muskett Glen
Carryduff
Belfast BT8 8QU

Tel: 07510 371 335
Email: [email protected]

Fight ED
7 Cove View
Groomsport
Co. Down BT19 6HR

Tel: 07999 901 936
Email: [email protected]

Northern Trust Area

Professional Support

Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder service – 02894424600

Adult Eating Disorder Service (18 and over) – 02894413307