Tens of thousands of people affected by, or at risk of, mental illness throughout Northern Ireland have a greater chance of improving their quality of life thanks to a partnership between Libraries NI and four leading mental health charities: Action Mental Health, Aware Defeat Depression, Cause and MindWise.
The Health in Mind Partnership secured almost £1million from the Big Lottery Fund’s Live and Learn programme to work together to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness by improving the understanding of mental health in the wider community and by providing opportunities to join in activities based on the themes of Information, Learning and Reading.
The Health in Mind Team is now working to deliver on all the project activities across Northern Ireland in libraries and community venues. The five team members have been meeting with other library staff, to raise awareness of the project and identify local interests in this wide ranging subject.
Frances Dowds, Health In Mind Project Manager, said:
“People are really interested in learning from the life experiences of others and books are a wonderful medium to do this. There are so many positive, self help stories out there, in books, on the web and in other formats; it’s really exciting to be in a position to identify and promote them to the wider NI public.”
Information Co-ordinator Sarah Crowther elaborates,
“We have just established and will be further developing a website to act as a central resource for Health in Mind: www.healthinmindni.net
We will be working closely with mental health practitioners and with our partner agencies to encourage and promote the use of library resources; sometimes reading a book is enough to help people realise they’re not on their own, other people have felt this way before and that there are practical every day things that can keep our mental health intact. Access to reliable information, finding a really good website, joining a reading group, learning a new skill, or simply meeting other people in a relaxed and welcoming setting can provide a range of tools that all contribute to mental health and well being.”
Rae and Helen, Health in Mind Outreach & Information Officers, stated:
“What works for one person won’t work for another, we aim to concentrate on particular themes like overcoming anxiety, stress management, relaxation and themed booklists. So we are advising the public to check at their local library and on the Libraries NI website, for courses, events and learning opportunities, or talk to library staff about the areas they would like more information on and we will do our best to help.”
For further details of all events and initiatives being held in Northern Ireland libraries to support the Health In Mind programme, go to www.librariesni.org.uk
