www.aware-ni.org
TALKING ABOUT DEPRESSION
ABOUT AWARE
ABOUT AWARE Formed just over 20 yrs ago in Derry N. Ireland The only N. Ireland mental health charity to focus exclusively on depression and bipolar disorder AWARE now has a network of 24 support groups in both rural and urban communities across N. Ireland We offer a range of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based programmes to individuals, communities, schools, colleges and businesses
Mental Illness in N. Ireland A research report to the N. Ireland Assembly in July 2017 indicated that: Mental illness is the single biggest health issue in N. Ireland. It has the highest levels of mental ill health in the UK with 1 in 5 adults and 45,000 young people affected at any one time. An estimated 20% of young people have a significant mental health problem. 1 in 6 of the population is currently on antidepressant medication
Contributing Factors include: Stressful or traumatic life events Social deprivation Conflict
Legacy of the Troubles Troubled consequences: A report on the mental health impact of the civil conflict in Northern Ireland 2012 An estimated 39% of the study population have experienced a conflict-related traumatic event. The prevalence of PTSD in Northern Ireland is the highest of all countries that have produced comparable estimates including the USA, other Western European countries and countries that have experienced civil conflict in their recent history. N. Ireland also has higher levels of multiple deprivation than the rest of the UK, with over a third of the population living on or below the breadline.
Depression and Anxiety in N Ireland Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Health Report 2013 noted that anti-depressant consumption has increased significantly in most (Western) countries since 2000. Iceland reported the highest prescription rates in 2011, followed by Australia, Canada, Denmark and Sweden.
Depression and Anxiety in N Ireland The Script Report The Detail, examined some 36 million UK prescription records. The Script Report found that N. Ireland generated 3.5 million anti-depressant prescriptions The analysis showed that, per head of population, N. Ireland was prescribing proportionately more than any of the 23 countries examined in the OECD study.
Depression and Anxiety in N Ireland The Antidepressant Social Prescribing Project (ADSoPP) AWARE are currently collaborating with the Ulster University on then ADSoPP. The project aims to promote social prescribing as an antidepressive agent. To do so, the team aim to gain access to information about the antidepressant medications being prescribed to the N.I. population. The research team have analysed: The population rates of antidepressant prescribing in Northern Ireland 2011-2015. Differences in prescribing across the lifespan. Variation in prescribing in urban and rural areas. The association between prescribing and deprivation. The findings will be published in August 2018 and AWARE will use the information to target our services more effectively.
AWARE SERVICES Free Support groups across N. Ireland for people affected by depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, including their relatives and carers. This is the first time I feel understood. I now know I m not alone. AWARE s support group changed my life it s my lifeline. This group has saved my life. I look forward to my group meetings- I feel safe and comfortable talking about how I feel. I only wish I had come here earlier
AWARE SERVICES Online support group offered weekly to people who are unable or who don t feel ready or able to access our face-to-face support groups and delivered through the means of a Skype video call. Support email service for individuals who are seeking support and information to cope with, manage or recover from depression, anxiety and related conditions. Sometimes it can feel too difficult to pick up the phone and talk with someone, so writing might be an easier option for some people.
AWARE SERVICES Wellbeing programmes AWARE offer a number of wellbeing programmes into communities, schools, colleges and workplace settings across N. Ireland. The programmes offered are based on Cogitative Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts and include: Living Life to the Full Mood Matters for Young People Mood Matters for Adults Mood Matters for Later Years Mental Health First Aid Mood Matters Parent and Baby Mood Matters in the Workplace
AWARE SERVICES Mindfulness Programmes Various courses are offered such as an evening session running for six weeks, condensed courses for professionals and a self-compassion course. There are also programmes for the workplace and primary schools. Paws b Mindfulness Programme - Paws b is a mindfulness programme for primary schools. It is ideally taught to 7 11 year olds and is adapted from the.b mindfulness curriculum for secondary schools as well as being influenced by adult Mindfulness courses..b Mindfulness Programme -.b, pronounced [dotbe], is the UK s leading mindfulness curriculum for 11-18- year-olds in schools..b stands for stop and be, a simple practice which is taught at the heart of this course.
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