Leading mental health charity AWARE says services are not where they should be as they are under-resourced and understaffed right now.

“We are twenty-five per cent more likely to develop a problem compared to other parts of the UK,” said AWARE’s Education and Training Officer Catherine McColgan.

 

“The demand for our service outweighs the funding we receive. We will continue to run our services even if the funding is not there.”

Ms McColgan said reports have shown that one in four of us will develop a mental health problem within our lifetime. If there’s a problem the first point of contact should be your GP, people are not alone, it’s important to seek out help, she told the Derry News.

According to Ms McColgan depression is more common than people think, Giving has also been shown to help with mental health, acts of kindness help too. “We should make little goals throughout the day. Be kind to yourself and don’t have too many goals set that could overwhelm you.” She adds.

Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy said one of the issues that is that the executive is not up and running and that funded from Westminster is needed. we need an executive; we need money from Westminster. “We see people choosing between their heating and eating, we have a mental health crisis in the city.”

Emma Griffin is a young person in the city who has used the mental health services said she finds it tough to balance everything now with being put on constant waiting lists when she needs help and having to worry about money.

“If you’re struggling with your mental health, seek help and see what resources are available.

 

“I encourage everyone to speak up and hope that the stigma around mental health is less severe,” she added.

 

According to the Mental Health Foundation of Northern Ireland, one in eight people has been exercising less often.

Mental health campaigner and Iron man Danny Quigley is planning to swim the Foyle in August. He will try and swim 90km in what he describes as a celebration of life. He will be dedicating every kilometre to those who have lost someone close.

Mr Quigley also warns about social media and the affect it can have on young people’s mental health “It’s important to know that social media is different from real life, life goes on when you put your laptop down. Being selfish has a bad rep but it’s beneficial when making sure you are alright, he said.