Depression charity offering mental health support in Cookstown

The support group welcomes people living with depression, anxiety and bipolar, with AWARE-trained facilitators hosting the groups in a safe, respectful and confidential environment.

The Cookstown group meets fortnightly on Wednesday evenings in the Apex Music Centre. The next meeting is on Wednesday, November 2.

The group provide a safe space to meet others going through similar experiences and discuss coping strategies.

It has been funded for a year by local construction company, Henry Brothers who are a proud partner of AWARE.

Jordan Poucher, 22, joined an AWARE support group after suffering from depression and anxiety for several years. “Depression is a very lonely illness,” he said.

“It’s easy to feel alienated. But when I sit down at an AWARE support group, I look around at smiling faces and people of all ages. I realiseeverybody is in the same boat as me. Everybody understands what I’m going through.

“I think a lot of people when you tell them you’re depressed, because you’re smiling and putting on that mask if you’re on a night out or you’re out in public, people look at you and think ‘there’s nothing wrong with him’ ‘he’s not depressed’. I realised from coming to the group that everybody with depression dons that mask but when you’re around other people with the illness, you don’t have to.

“I would encourage anybody who is struggling with their mental health to come along to a support group. I know myself how hard it is to walk through that door for the first time but I’m just so grateful I did.”

Caroline McLoughlin, Support Services Officer at AWARE said: “We’re really looking forward to reopening this group for people in Cookstown. So many people are struggling with their mental health in silence and we want you to know that you are not alone. Mental ill-health is common and treatable. Our support groups offer you the chance to meet other people in the same boat and realise you aren’t alone.”

If you're interested in joining the Cookstown support group, please get in touch with AWARE's support services team at [email protected].