The silverware is being polished as Action Mental Health’s Foyle New Horizons service prepares to mark 25 years of providing a lifeline for people experiencing mental ill-health.

Clients, past and present, will converge on AMH in Derry/Londonderry on August 29 for a celebration marking many milestones from a quarter century of providing support, camaraderie and practical help for local people.

The day’s festivities will feature a BBQ and an array of events staged to cast an eye down memory lane. New Horizons clients will then join staff and local supporters, including councillors and Assembly members to brace themselves for firewalking and glasswalking!

The event will also showcase arts and crafts created at New Horizons Foyle, including a feature flower meadow, finely crafted from fused glass and ceramics with a centrepiece being a glass sword set in a glass cage – depicting AMH’s overarching theme of cutting out the stigma surrounding mental ill-health.

New Horizons first opened up in the north western city in June 1993. Foyle Service Manager Mickie Harkin was one of those around as the charity started welcoming in people from the city and surrounding areas who commenced their journey to recovery and hope .

The past 25 years have witnessed numerous highlights, from anti-stigma campaigns, including the challenging ‘Don’t Lose Your Marbles’ events, to the one-of-a-kind sofa made from books, to mark the ‘What’s Your Story?’ initiative during the City of Culture.

The quarter century of activities also included the collaboration between AMH and artist Pat Ross, who brought his stunning ‘Read Between the Lines’ art, depicting his struggles with schizophrenia to New Horizons Foyle, as well as the creation of a fine, glass fiddle, by AMH client Billy Henderson, which had the honour of being displayed at Stormont.

Local dignitaries from district and borough councils, the Northern Ireland Assembly – even the Deputy First Minister, the late Martin McGuinness, visited in 2011.

The yearly World Mental Health Day celebrations, held every autumn, annually presented clients and staff with opportunities to mark the topic of recovery from mental ill-health, through informational and artistic outlets, while the QUEST programme – Foyle’s specialist Alcohol Outreach Project, has been a pivotal stepping stone for people suffering from addiction.

Fundraisers have come forth in many guises, from the individuals who have walked, run or abseiled their way for sponsorship for AMH Foyle, similar efforts include the generous local companies and statutory bodies – all helping to sustain the future of the regional service.

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

Mickie Harkin stated: “This anniversary event is all about the countless clients we have helped, from their first tentative and nervous steps into New Horizons, until they moved on to the next phase of their lives, more positive and usually clutching certificates of achievement in various vocational courses.

“But it’s also about the many individuals, organisations, employers, funders, partners, staff and our clients’ families who have all contributed to help us build the service, and who continue, to this day, 25 years later, to make it what it is, and will continue to be in the future.”

The annual display of back-to-school photos have begun to appear on social media already. Our children, young and older alike, are posing in shiny new uniforms – usually at the front door – and are heading off on either the first rung of their school ladder, or the next.

Our kids are leaving behind the carefree days of summer to return to the  routine of the classroom, which for some, may be at a very significant period in their school career. Many are transitioning to ‘big school’ for the first time, are entering milestone years of GCSE or A-levels, or are heading off to university. For our P6s around the country, many are about to face the pivotal and unquestionably daunting prospect of AQE and GL exams.

There are many online resources to turn to offering advice on a gamut of issues surrounding the resumption of school, including:

• Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/school/
• The BBC’s CBBC site https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/findoutmore/going-back-to-school-tips;
• Mumsnet https://www.mumsnet.com/education/back-to-school

Here at AMH, we are also lucky to be a partner of the Northern Area Mental Health Initiative. It is a portal packed with information and advice on dealing with a wide variety of issues related to childhood, from as young as eight years old.

As well as promoting the Five Ways to Well-Being, it offers a raft of resources on issues from exam pressures and bullying to coping skills and resilience, as well as fun and informative content. Visit the link below for more…

• https://northernareamhi.org.uk/
• https://northernareamhi.org.uk/2018/08/22/schools-and-colleges-urged-to-make-mental-health-top-of-the-class-this-term/

#FundraisingFriday this week is testament to another amazing show of courage and generosity from supporters of Action Mental Health.

Mother and daughter team, Ann and Joanne Galway, literally threw themselves into fundraising – by throwing themselves out of a plane to raise a whopping £1682 through a sponsored skydive.

The hair-raising effort had poignant significance for the pair, as they took part in the 10,000 feet tandem skydive in memory of Joanne’s father who died in 2013.

Meanwhile, a Northern Ireland man living in Scotland has been back home to run the Antrim Coast Marathon in aid of Action Mental Health. Aidan Mitchell raised £482.50 in a bid to help charities like AMH help raise awareness on men’s mental health issues.

Aidan explained: “I work in healthcare in Scotland but I am from N.I. I have raised money before for men’s mental health charities and it is still something I feel strongly about, especially in today’s world of ‘machoism’, men still struggle to speak out about their issues, plus the high number of young male suicides.

“I am aware it is has been said to be a larger issue at home so that is why I choose AMH. I like how you work with other charities, raising awareness of mental health.”

Aiden finished the race, which snaked its way through the beautiful coastline from Cushendall to Larne, in 4hrs 30 minutes.

Well done to you all for such amazing feats of endurance and bravado and thanks very much for choosing Action Mental Health as the beneficiary.

A YOUNG Newtownards woman has completed a 297 mile sponsored walk, in memory of the same number of people who took their own lives in Northern Ireland in 2017.

Katie Graden, a sixth form student at Glenlola Collegiate devoted two months to complete the milestone effort and yesterday (Tuesday, August 21) handed over a cheque for the £1051 raised by the feat of endurance to Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington.

The cheque was presented during a ceremony at Stormont’s Parliament Buildings, supported by MLAs from across the political divide.

Katie explained her motivation for the mammoth achievement under her belt at just 17 years of age.

“I cherish my community and want to do everything I can to help anyone who is suffering an episode of poor mental health. Anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts are far too common these days and I wanted to play my part in supporting the fantastic work of Action Mental Health.”

The fundraising initiative is an extension of Katie’s proposal for a mental health pupil leadership team for every school in Northern Ireland.

Katie said: “My proposal is for a student mental health and well-being council in every school, where pupils are elected through an application and interview process. This team would hold regular meetings with the teacher-led pastoral care team to discuss recent issues, review processes and identify more effective solutions from a student perspective.

“The team should be trained in confidentiality to allow students to speak freely and any issues would only be passed on if necessary. Students should be shown how to deal with panic attacks, self-harm and students experiencing suicidal thoughts in particular, just like students are trained in first aid.

“I have delivered my proposal to the Department of Education and the All Party Group on Mental Health. We are currently waiting for the results from an international research report carried out by Stormont’s research team and today, I am pleased so many politicians from so many parties were here to support me.

“I am hopeful of securing a one year pilot scheme and I have already had interest from Glenlola Collegiate, Lagan College and The School of Engineering at Queens University. If any other schools are interested, please contact me via email, [email protected].uk.”
Action Mental Health’s David Babington expressed his admiration for Katie’s determination and endurance.

“Katie is a very determined young woman, with an incredible passion and commitment for her local community. We are delighted, here at Action Mental Health, to support a future leader and wish Katie every success in her bid to secure a student mental health and well-being council in schools in Northern Ireland.

“Her efforts compliment Action Mental Health’s programmes in schools designed to support positive mental health and well-being and promote resilience among school children, including our Healthy Me and Provoking Thought, among others.”

An Omagh man is tackling a beautiful scenic trek throughout some of Northern Ireland’s most picturesque terrain to help raise funds for Action Mental Health.

Travis Farrell, 23, has gathered up a hardy band of family and friends to walk Fermanagh’s Legnabrocky Trail in the Cuilcagh Mountain Park to raise cash for the charity which helps people experiencing mental ill-health

Running 14.9km long (or nine miles), the trail, affectionately known as the Stairway to Heaven for the stunning views afforded from the peak, is notable for its boardwalk, which runs for 1.6km across protected bogland.

Travis chose the route as it was one he has yet to traverse, even though he is a regular hiker, especially in the Gortin area.

He and his party will form a procession along environmentally important route  on Sunday, September 2, in an attempt to raise as much funds for Action Mental Health as possible.

The young man, a personal trainer by profession and who plies his trade from his Co Tyrone home, was motivated to choose AMH in the aftermath of a suicide of a former classmate he had attended Omagh High School with.

“I drove past him one day and waved and the next day he had taken his life,” he said.

Travis has already received a huge lump sum of £300 from King’s Barbers in Omagh after they hosted a DJ event last Saturday. The cash boost has helped bolster the fundraising effort which continues on a Just Giving page opened for his initiative.

“I always wanted to do this walk and actually went down one day to have a go but there was such heavy rain I decided to leave it for another time because it’s such a long walk.”

Approximately 40 people have already committed to join him on the Stairway to Heaven and as an added incentive he is offering anyone who raises more than £100 a free personalised Travis Farrell personal training hoodie.

Travis hopes to raise at least £1000 through the collective endeavour of his walking party.

Action Mental Health’s Fundraising Officer Callum Clark said: “We are delighted that Travis has chosen Action Mental Health to benefit from the Stairway to Heaven trek next month.

“We wish him well on the walk and hope the weather holds for him so he and his fundraising party can fully enjoy the spectacular views at the top!”

One of the people tasked to ensure Action Mental Health’s varied training programmes are delivered to the highest standards has been rewarded for her efforts.

Anne Broughton, AMH Quality Assurance Officer, has received the coveted Chairman’s ICE Award – just the fourth recipient of the award launched in 2016.

Anne, who is based at AMH Antrim Regional office, introduced a Framework Assessment to help clients get the utmost of their various training assessments.

The Chairman’s ICE award recognises individuals’ contribution to Innovation, Creativity and Excellence within the organisation and are presented twice a year to celebrate individual achievement. Recipients are presented with an ICE award and also win an extra day’s leave.

The awards were conceived in recognition that AMH’s people are “the organisation’s most important resource in achieving its mission and advancing its vision”, according to chairman Peter Fitzsimmons.

“The commitment, enthusiasm and skills of staff are vital to the success of AMH and to the quality of the service experienced by clients and customers. As such, AMH is committed to recognising and rewarding the achievements of its staff, “ he said.

Action Mental Health Chief Executive David Babington congratulated Anne on her achievement.

“Anne has a very distinct role as the Quality Assurance Officer and she ensures the quality of AMH training achieves appropriate standards. Many Skills Coaches will be aware of her in services undertaking assessment observations to support delivery which has ultimately raised the clients’ experience. The new Framework Assessment she introduced has been very well received and contributed to the recent positive ETI inspection outcome, as well as OCN and BCS audits.

“She has shown Innovation, Creativity and Excellence and really enhanced the client experience in AMH.

“I wish her well for her one day’s leave. There were a number of really strong submissions and the Chairman would like to thank all those who took the time to submit an application.”