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Health Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA has today welcomed two new services in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust which aim to help people with mental health issues through their recovery process. 

The Wellmind Hub and Recovery College have been launched by the Southern Trust to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.  

One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year.  

Co-produced by service users, carers and staff, the Recovery College programme aims to provide educational courses for people with mental health difficulties. In addition to helping people learn about recovery and manage their own mental health and wellbeing the wide range of courses available help families, friends and carers to understand mental health conditions so they are able to support their loved one on their recovery journey.  

Initially set up in the Armagh and Dungannon area, Wellmind Hubs offer a range of support options for people with common mental health conditions for example, anxiety, stress or low mood. Care is offered by a range of independent sector providers, community groups or from within the Hub, depending on the needs of the person. It is hoped by addressing these difficulties at an early stage the need for a referral to secondary health and social care services will be prevented.   

Welcoming the two new initiatives, Francis Rice, Chief Executive (Interim) of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said:  

“In the Southern area we are committed to taking a recovery approach in addressing mental health issues – helping people to find ways of leading meaningful lives, with or without the symptoms of their condition.  

“We are delighted to offer these two new services which have been very much developed in partnership with people who have experienced mental health issues, along with our voluntary and community partners.

“We hope that the Wellmind Hubs and Recovery College will help more people to recognise and address their symptoms at a very early stage and support them on their recovery journey with a much better quality of life.”