It’s #FundraisingFriday again and this week we’ve a great deal to be grateful for. Roisin Doherty has had a close shave for Action Mental Health! The beauty blogger and Coalisland salon owner recently kicked off fundraising for AMH by shaving her head during a special event. And we think you’ll agree she looks incredible.
Roisin wanted to support AMH due to her own experiences of post-natal depression and her concerns for the many young social media followers contacting her to share their own anxieties.
So far she’s raised £500 for us and we’re very grateful. Roisin will be hosting an event in Belfast on 10th February, featuring big names in the local beauty industry and Instagram, when guests will be treated to on-stage demos.
See for yourself below the amazingly brave lengths she went to and sacrificed to shine the spotlight on mental health.
In another fundraising effort, the brethren of Broomhedge Loyal Orange Lodge No 121 raised £730 during their lodge’s annual harvest service. Thanks so much to the lodge which were keen to support mental health services in the Craigavon area.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has been told that the region has the lowest spend per capita on mental health – with no sign of that position being reversed.
Action Mental Health was among the organisations giving evidence today to the NI Affairs Committee in London, as part of the Committee enquiry into health spending in Northern Ireland.
David Babington, Chief Executive of Action Mental Health told the Committee that Northern Ireland has the ‘highest incidence of mental health problems in the UK, and the lowest level of spending on mental health services.’ He told the Committee that the situation is ‘unsustainable.’
“The share of health spending which is invested specifically on mental health services in Northern Ireland is 6%. In England that percentage is almost 12% yet our incidence of mental health problems is 25% higher.
“In Scotland and Wales spending on mental health is also higher than in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland the Government has committed to an increase in mental health spending of 10%, significantly higher than the amount spent locally. Yet our need for investment in mental health well-being is higher than anywhere else in these islands
“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.
“If we were to match the English spending on mental health our investment would increase by £130m each year, yet our spending is falling rather than increasing.”
Today’s hearing comes almost a year after Action Mental Health traveled to Westminster to meet MPs from across the UK to lobby for additional funding.
“At that time, a meeting with the Secretary of State was promised , one year on we cannot even get a reply to a request for a meeting.”
The members of the NI Affairs Committee heard that the DUP Confidence and Supply money has not made the difference which was heralded at the time of the deal.
“Figures from the Department of Heath show that that money has been spent on meeting existing pressures rather than delivering any new services. The money is not guaranteed on a recurring basis so that does not allow for long term transformation. Rather than providing a boost for mental health provision locally, this money is a sticking plaster.”
“The trajectory of spending on mental health in Northern Ireland is downward. If we are serious about meeting local mental well-being needs that simply has to change.”
Dr Gerry Lynch, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland and Vice President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Professor Peter McBride, Chief Executive, Inspire, Professor Nichola Rooney, Chair of the British Psychological Society and David Babington, Chief Executive, Action Mental Health
Thinking of choosing a local charity to benefit from a donation while wishing your loved ones a very Merry Christmas? Action Mental Health knows that many people like to celebrate the joy of the festive season by sharing with others so this year we have created four beautiful seasonal cards to let you do both.
Just get in touch with our fundraising team 0289182 8494 or [email protected] and we’ll tell you all the ways you can donate and send you the E-card of your choice.
By choosing one of our Christmas cards you can send your family and friends an attractive festive greeting while also helping people reclaim their lives from mental ill-health and ensure the well-being of Northern Ireland’s future generations.
One in five people in Northern Ireland will experience a mental health difficulty in their lifetime so by buying our Christmas cards you’ll be supporting the wide range of services designed for people from primary school to their later years. Options include donations in lieu of either presents or cards.
£30 could pay for learning materials for a school class taking part in resilience awareness training
£100 could help pay for personal development sessions for adults recovering from mental ill health£
£300 could fund specialist mental health promotion sessions for up to 30 young people
Action Mental Health is proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading mental health charity, offering services across the region, for young and old alike, offering steps to employment, education, training – and most of all, hope.
Healthy Me is one of Action Mental Health’s emotional well-being and resilience programmes delivered in Northern Ireland’s primary schools. Healthy Me is supported by Danske Bank.
Action Mental Health has responded to a new study on the number of schools paying for mental health support for pupils as thousands of children across Northern Ireland report mental health issues. The report (see below) into the study by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) revealed that 79 schools which took part in the research collectively identified a total of more than 4,000 pupils with emotional health and well-being issues.
As a result many schools are paying for help from their own budgets, as they face long delays in accessing statutory help and intervention.
Amanda Jones, Operations Manager Resilience and Well-being commented: “Action Mental Health understands the challenges faced by parents, carers and teachers in supporting the mental health and well-being of children and young people. AMH deliver a range of programmes for children and young people which support promotion of positive well-being and early identification of mental and emotional health concerns.
“These programmes are designed to address a range of issues faced by children and young people experiencing their own transitions in our ever changing world including stress, body image and self – esteem and they have been shown to be effective in raising awareness, building resilience and increasing help-seeking. Through the support we receive from our funders and donations from the public we are able to deliver theses services across Northern Ireland for children, young people and their key contacts in primary, post primary and community setting. To find out more about our services or book a programme for your group contact us here at Action Mental Health, and while the sessions are delivered free of charge to schools, we rely on donations and fundraising by businesses and the local community to support the deliver of these sessions.”
#FundraisingFriday deserves a bit of a drum roll this week… AMH is one lucky charity to have supporters like Bernie Walsh raising funds for us. The Weight Watchers leader in Lisburn hosted a special ABBA night and raised an amazing – wait for it…. £6225! The big night out featured tribute act Abba Sensations and took place at Lisburn Blue Supporters Club. Everyone who joined in the fun dug deep into their pockets for Action Mental Health. We doff our cap to you Bernie and to all who supported you in this amazingly successful charity event.
The hospitality industry has also been busy, with specialist recruitment agency, Miller Hospitality getting on their bikes for us here at AMH. Staff from the Belfast based company held a 12-hour treadmill and spin bike marathon, raising a hefty £725. Newly appointed staff member Meabh organised the event which saw chefs on the books of the company sharing 15 minutes slots, meaning every calorie spent on the equipment raised much needed funds for AMH.
Bernie Walsh of Weight Watchers Workshops presents their mammoth cheque worth £6225 to AMH’s Amanda Calder.
Miller Hospitality present their cheque to AMH’s Amanda Calder.
Action Mental Health is delighted to have scooped a trophy in this year’s Leadership and Governance Awards. The awards, organised by the VSB Foundation in partnership with CO3 and Volunteer Now, recognise voluntary organisations’ efforts to improve governance.
AMH won in the large category of the 2018 round, one of three categories, including small and medium-sized third sector organisations. Chief Executive David Babington attributed the win to the dedication of the charity’s Board of Directors.
Nora Smith, CEO, CO3 commented: “The Governance and Leadership Awards have substantially grown in profile. Now in their 3rd year this is the perfect platform to recognise and reward leadership and good governance at Board level. We all know that charity governance makes a huge difference and by sharing examples of truly inspirational boards through these Awards it is fantastic recognition of their leadership, commitment and hard work.
“By shining a spotlight on the best of the sector, we want to demonstrate how effective governance can transform a charity and even more of the lives of its beneficiaries. I am delighted to announce that in tandem to the overall prize, every nomination to the Awards this year will receive complimentary membership to the CO3 Trustee Network for the year.”
Chief Executive David Babington accepted the honour by paying tribute to Action Mental Health’s Board of Directors. “It’s great to see Third Sector leadership and governance being recognised. Hats off to all our board, who freely give of their time and expertise, and it is to them we are indebted for this award.
“The win is further testament to their great dedication and commitment in supporting Action Mental Health’s mission to support and promote positive mental health in Northern Ireland.”
Marie Ireland, Investec presents the award to Action Mental Health’s Chairman Peter Fitzsimmons and Chief Executive David Babington.
Students on Belfast Met’s Childcare Level 2, Playwork CACHE and the Foundation Degree courses have been getting an insight into mental health and well-being through Action Mental Health’s Mindset programme.
AMH’s Mindset programme is a mental and emotional health and well-being awareness programme for young people aged 14-17 years and adults funded by the Public Health Agency. Its programmes are delivered to youth and community settings by AMH MensSana Project Workers.
The students were so impressed with the programme they decided to raise funds for Action Mental Health by hosting a Halloween fancy dress party – raising an impressive £556.56. Tutor Sakina Brennan, pictured with some of the spooky students, paid tribute to MensSana project worker Hannah for organising the programmes and supporting their fundraising. They also produced a great video, encapsulating their Mindset experience which you can view below:
Retiring after 25 years, Mickie Harkin receives a long service award from chairman Peter Fitzsimmons.
With an impressive quarter century at Action Mental Health in Derry/Londonderry behind him, Service Manager, at AMH New Horizons Foyle, Mickie Harkin was among the staff recently rewarded for their commitment to the charity.
Mr Harkin began with Action Mental Health – then called the Industrial Therapy Organisation – 25 years ago as a Woodwork Instructor. He was promoted to acting Deputy Manager on October 19 1998, until March 31 a year later. He was appointed as official Deputy Manager on June 8, 2000 before his promotion to Service Manager on February 10, 2003.
Three other members of staff, Communications Manager Tricia Browne, and Service Managers Colin Loughran and Pauline Flanagan were also recognised for their service, each clocking up 15 years with Action Mental Health.
Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington commented: “As an organisation we are very fortunate to have a talented and highly committed team and this commitment is clearly demonstrated by these long-serving employees.
“This dedication and loyalty is seen across the organisation and it is vital to providing services to our clients and the wider community in Northern Ireland.
“We would also like to pay particular tribute to Mickie Harkin, who, after 25 years in various posts at New Horizons Foyle, is retiring from the organisation. I want to thank Mickie for his unwavering commitment and energetic approach to his pivotal role at Foyle and we wish him every success and happiness in his next chapter.”
“A passionate and committed man with unstinting enthusiasm for his clients,” is how some colleagues described Mickie, who bids farewell to the charity on 31st October.
“A Derry man through and through,” is the affectionate description of some other staff members who have worked with him over the years.
Just this summer, the Foyle service where he spent a quarter of a century working for people with mental ill-health, passed the same silver anniversary milestone that Mickie has under his belt.
It’s been an eventful tenure at Foyle, for Mickie, who has witnessed many changes, the great and the good pass through his doors, but more importantly, he has been part of a team which have helped people with mental health issues reclaim their lives and acquire new hope.
AMH Chairman Peter Fitzsimmons with Pauline Flanagan.Service Manager Colin Loughran with Peter Fitzsimmons.Communications Manager Tricia Browne receives her award from chairman Peter Fitzsimmons.He’s some punk – Mickie Harkin
A younger Mickie Harkin!Mickie always had some big idea up his sleeve – this was just one of the many art projects – “What’s your Story?” A sofa made out of books!
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has been told that the region has the lowest spend per capita on mental health – with no sign of that position being reversed.
“At that time, a meeting with the Secretary of State was promised , one year on we cannot even get a reply to a request for a meeting.”
Thinking of choosing a local charity to benefit from a donation while wishing your loved ones a very Merry Christmas? Action Mental Health knows that many people like to celebrate the joy of the festive season by sharing with others so this year we have created four beautiful seasonal cards to let you do both.
#FundraisingFriday
Action Mental Health is delighted to have scooped a trophy in this year’s Leadership and Governance Awards. The awards, organised by the VSB Foundation in partnership with CO3 and Volunteer Now, recognise voluntary organisations’ efforts to improve governance.
