30th January 2024
With 1 in 5 people in Northern Ireland experiencing some form of mental health problems in their lifetime, the relaunch of the Southern Trust Recovery College aims to create a stigma free environment which focuses on the person, not the illness.
This year the Recovery College has many courses available, for free, to everyone over 16 years of age in the Southern Trust area. Courses include top tips for anxiety, introduction to the menopause, understanding trauma and practicing self-care.
All courses are educational and while they do not replace therapy, many will find therapeutic benefit from them. The Recovery College works closely with those with lived experience of mental health problems and those with learned experience (health care professionals and those from community/voluntary sector) to co-design and co-deliver Recovery College educational programmes.
Kathy Lavery, Directorate Lead for Social Work in Mental Health and Disability says
“Recovery can be a voyage of self-discovery and personal growth, which does not impose limits on people. Experiences of mental illness can provide opportunities for change, reflection and discovery of new values, skills and interests.”“The Southern Trust Recovery College works to empower those with experience of mental health problems to realise their potential and foster hope, opportunity and control. We aim to provide an opportunity that is free from stigma, is strengths based and focused on the person and not the illness.”
To view the full list of courses and to enrol you can visit https://southerntrust.hscni.net/service/support-and-recovery/
Listen to our latest podcast episode with the Recovery College team here.