World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2016
ARC is encouraging people to think about suicide prevention on world suicide prevention day, and every day.
Recently, in an attempt to highlight the reality of suicide ARC youth drama group delivered a very impactful piece focusing on a young person experience of bullying, anxiety, coping with home, study and how seeking help can be mistakenly perceived as attention seeking.
The feedback from the audience was incredible and there was definitely an increased empathy in regards to the mental health pressures young people face. Now, for World Suicide Prevention Day if we can help in any way communicate a message, we have a team of 15 young people ready to perform one of the most thought provoking pieces and they deserve a wider audience. If you want to know more contact Arc directly on 028 686 28741.
It’s impossible to guarantee you will never get a mental health condition, but you can take steps to improve your mental health.
If you’re stronger emotionally, you may find it easier to cope with stressful or upsetting incidents, reducing your risk of developing a mental health condition, such as depression, and the risk of suicidal thoughts. Our aim is to help people help themselves and we introduce theories of resilience throughout our programmes.
Research shows that for some people with mild depression, exercise can be as effective as antidepressant medication in reducing depressive symptoms. Being physically active helps to:
- lift your mood
- reduce stress and anxiety
- encourage the release of “feel-good” chemicals, called endorphins
- improve self-esteem
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends exercise should be used to treat depression in people of all ages.
It’s also important to eat a healthy diet. Eating healthily may be as important for maintaining mental health as it is for protecting against physical health problems. At ARC we run a series of programmes such as “families fit together” actively promoting exercise and healthy eating, this project has recently been evaluated by the University of Ulster and the outcomes are particularly encouraging.
At ARC we understand that drinking alcohol can be tempting as a way of trying to cope with problems or unpleasant emotions. But alcohol is a depressant, which means it can make unpleasant emotions worse, such as sadness and hopelessness.
To avoid common mental health problems associated with alcohol misuse, don’t drink more than the recommended daily limits of alcohol. These are:
- two to three units a day
A unit of alcohol is approximately half a pint of normal-strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits. A small glass of wine (125ml) is 1.5 units.
See your GP if you have difficulty moderating your alcohol consumption, or call our SOLACE service to get an alcohol audit and practical support to reduce your drinking.
People who have problems or unpleasant emotions also commonly use drugs as a way of coping. However, as with alcohol, persistent drug misuse can increase your risk of developing a serious mental health condition, such as depression.
If you find it difficult to stop taking drugs, you may require counselling or medication, again we suggest you talk to your GP or speak to our Solace team
Becoming socially isolated is a significant risk factor for suicide. Try to remain engaged as much as possible with the world around you. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel and maintain your friendships and interests, even if you don’t feel like it at times. We have a wide range of services advertised on our website www.archlc.com
If you find it difficult to make friends, you may benefit from calling in to one of our programmes, we have a wide range of services from surestart to older peoples befriending, call in see what we have to offer.
Research has shown that people who regularly spend time helping others through charitable activities or other voluntary work are typically more mentally healthy than the general population. You may benefit from volunteering, we have a range of volunteer opportunities with training and support. All charities and most voluntary organisations are grateful for any help. Simply choose an issue you feel strongly about and contact a relevant organisation.
Staying positive may sound like a meaningless phrase, particularly to someone with severe depression, but it’s important to try to remain as positive as possible. Persistent negative thinking can mean you risk withdrawing from the world and becoming more isolated. Breaking this pattern usually requires a conscious effort, such as “stepping back” when an event upsets you and considering how you can respond in a more positive way. If you can’t change negative patterns of thinking, you may benefit from attending our mindfulness workshops, contact Anne at the ARC for more information.
