New Resources For Mental Health And Suicide

A raft of new resources for mental health and suicide has been launched by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. Most people know how to look after their physical health, and people know who to ask and where to get help if they have a physical problem.  But we all need to do the same in relation to our mental health! In order to help people look after their mental health, NEW resources have been developed across the South Eastern area by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with the Public Health Agency, Investing for Health and the local Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Communities of Interest. The focus of these resources is to raise the profile of mental health and suicide support services across the area, and to highlight to people that help is available.  We have produced “Guides to Mental Health & Suicide Support Services in the South Eastern Trust Area” using two formats – an A2 poster and a Z card, which is a credit card sized document that folds out to A3. ZCard (allow upload time as these are large PDF files) SEHSCT poster services In addition an Online Directory of Services has been developed at  www.wellnet-ni.com/orgs. This allows you to search by category, type of service, locality and age, and it is very easy to navigate. Lifeline is also available and is a free helpline service providing confidential support and advice available 24 hours a day seven days a week – Tel:  0808 808 8000 or visit  www.lifelinehelpline.info. The words ‘mental health’ often bring negative associations. By buying into this idea, we are adding to the stigma, discrimination and social exclusion associated with mental ill health.  However, good mental health is the foundation for maintaining and improving overall health and wellbeing. The World Health Organisation defines mental health as “a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. Promoting good mental health is important for EVERYONE.  It helps us to manage major life events such as the birth of a child, change of job, redundancy, retirement or bereavement.  It is also important that we promote good mental health for those people who have mental ill-health, whether they have mild symptoms of a mental health concern or severe symptoms of a mental health disorder. Statistics show that one in four people have a mental health concern in Northern Ireland annually. David Tumilty, Mental Health Promotion Specialist with the South Eastern HSC Trust said, “These resources promote the wide variety of services available in our local area that people can access to improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing and where they can access help and support on issues such as suicide, depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug misuse.  It also provides an opportunity for statutory, community and voluntary staff to signpost clients to appropriate services”. “This is particularly important given the findings of a recent report by academics at the University of Ulster’s groundbreaking new Bamford Centre for Study of Mental Health in Londonderry, which found that many people (involving detailed interviews with 4,300 members of the public) in Northern Ireland were waiting 20 years on average before seeking help”. The members of the local Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Communities of Interest together with the South Eastern Health  and Social Care Trust wants to encourage people to obtain and use these resources for their own benefit. Over the coming months the South Eastern Trust plan to link with a number of the organisations that are providing services to highlight the success stories of people who have used them. When published, it is hoped people may read these stories, and if they find themselves in a similar position, contact the organisation to obtain help and support. For a copy of the A2 poster or Z card please contact Carol Brown, Health Development Department on Tel:  (028)  9151 0275, email carol.brown@setrust.hscni.net or visit]]>