Council briefed on mental health services

Back row - Elaine ODoherty, PHA, Geraldine McDonnell, Northern HSC Trust, Pat Smyth, HSC Board, Mary Hinds, Northern HSC Trust, George Dorrian, Larne Borough Council, Paul Cummings, Northern HSC Trust, Maurice Young, Magherafelt District Council, Anne Donaghy, Ballymena Borough Council, Karen Hargan, Ballymena Borough Council, Adrian McCreesh, Cookstown District Council
Front row - Sheila McClelland, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Alderman Jim Brown, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Tommy Nicholl, Ballymena Borough Council, Evelyne L. Robinson, Ballymoney Borough Council, Margaret Ann McKillip, Moyle District Council and Jackie Barr, Coleraine Council. INCT 50-724-CON — Back row - Elaine ODoherty, PHA, Geraldine McDonnell, Northern HSC Trust, Pat Smyth, HSC Board, Mary Hinds, Northern HSC Trust, George Dorrian, Larne Borough Council, Paul Cummings, Northern HSC Trust, Maurice Young, Magherafelt District Council, Anne Donaghy, Ballymena Borough Council, Karen Hargan, Ballymena Borough Council, Adrian McCreesh, Cookstown District Council Front row - Sheila McClelland, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Alderman Jim Brown, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Tommy Nicholl, Ballymena Borough Council, Evelyne L. Robinson, Ballymoney Borough Council, Margaret Ann McKillip, Moyle District Council and Jackie Barr, Coleraine Council. INCT 50-724-CON

Representatives from a number of local authorities, including Carrick and Larne, met with staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, who are working with the Public Health Agency to produce a directory of locally available support services.

The PHA directory lists a range of services, some of which can be accessed by visiting your GP, while others are available through 24-hour helplines.

There are also local drop-in centres and websites so that people can connect with support in whatever way fits best.

Senior Director Paul Cummings said: “We would also encourage carers and concerned friends to contact these services if they wish to discuss their concerns, or for more information on new services which might help someone they are concerned about.

“We need to ensure that anyone who thinks they are alone or that there is no help available can access these services, realise that there is support available and that staff will do their level best to help them find a way through their crisis.”

Targeted both at people who may wish to use the services themselves and those who might want to signpost others to them, the PHA has developed the directory as a user-friendly resource to raise awareness and provide a comprehensive guide to the wide range of support that can be accessed locally to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The directory aims to empower all age groups and support them to make positive choices in relation to their own mental health.

A copy of the directory can be downloaded from the Northern Trust website at www.northerntrust.hscni.net. Anyone who would like copies of the directory for their organisation or community group should contact the NHSCT Health Improvement Service on 028 2563 5575.

Support services are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at free service Lifeline by ringing 0808 808 8000 or visiting www.lifelinehelpline.info.