Trust modernising mental health service

The Deputy Mayor Alderman Thomas Kerrigans, who officially opened the Mental Health Recovery Services Awareness event in the Guildhall, pictured with Western Health and Social Services Trust representatives at the Supporting Mental Health in Lived Experience (SMILE), stand. Included are Gerard Guckian (seventh from right), chairman, WHSST and Trevor Millar (fourth from right), head of adult mental health, WHSST. 2315-7752MT.

The Trust has just launched its Recovery College for the northern sector of the Trust, as part of its ‘Discovery to Recovery’ health fair event at Guildhall, Londonderry.

Gerard Guckian, Western Trust Chairman said: “The vision of the Western Trust Mental Health Service is to support people on a journey of recovery by making the best use of their talents and resources in becoming experts in self-care.

“The Trust has embarked on a change process, moving from primarily providing traditional care and treatment, to supporting service users on a journey of recovery as a partner. We plan to do this by empowering those people who have mental health challenges, as well as their families, friends and the community through co-produced education and learning together.”

Carolyn Maxwell, Western Trust Head of Recovery Services, Adult Mental Health and Disability Services said: “The Western Trust is committed to supporting people to realise meaningful recovery and lead healthy, fulfilled lives. We currently provide recovery services to approximately 2,700 people with long term mental health conditions.

“Traditional mental health services are changing to promote recovery principles, promoting hope, control and opportunity. Recovery is a unique and individual experience, and we will support people with mental health issues by encouraging them to make the best use of their talents and resources to develop expertise in self-care, and to work towards achieving personal goals and ambitions.

“We are promoting empowerment through education and will be launching our Recovery College workshops due to commence in the Londonderry area in Autumn 2015.”

For further information on the Recovery College and the courses available contact Olive Young 028 7138 2963.

If you are in distress or despair counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Lifeline (0808 808 8000) to listen to you and give you the help and support you need, in confidence.