Karen Hall
As part of the Mental Health for Better Days programme, Healthy Living Centres (HLCs) across Northern Ireland are hosting events during Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 for their staff and communities.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on anxiety, which will increase people's awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on what can help prevent it from becoming a problem.
HLCs will host over 30 events during the week, themed around what can help people protect their mental health. Sessions including Chi Me, colour breathing, mindful walks, music therapy and cold water swimming will be hosted at various centres across Northern Ireland. In addition, events will bring together community and statutory organisations that can provide support on issues such as money issues, healthy eating, spending time in nature and getting moving.
| Activity | Where? | When? |
| Chi Me | The Verve Project (The Fitzone) | 9:30am |
| Staff well-being day | County Down Rural Community Network | 10am |
| Breakfast and mindfulness | Oak Healthy Living Centre | 10am |
| Pilates | New Lodge and Duncairn Community Health Partnership | 10am |
| Circuits for women | Maureen Sheehan Centre, HEART | 10am |
| Walk around Silverbridge | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 10am |
| Take 5 Taster and Chi Me by the castle | Derg Healthy Living Centre | 10:30am |
| Capacitor workshops | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 11am |
| Relaxation (Men’s group) | The Verve Project (The Fitzone) | 11am |
| Soap-making workshop | The Verve Project (Drumellan) | 7pm |
| Activity | Where? | When? |
| Walk (Derrymore Park, Bessbrook) | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 10am |
| Chill out and cold water swim | Causeway Rural and Urban Network | 10am |
| Self-care toolkit | Oak Healthy Living Centre | 10am to 11am |
| Capacitor workshops | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 10:30am |
| Take 5 Taster | Derg Healthy Living Centre | 11am |
| Walk | The Verve Project (The Fitzone) | 11am |
| Hike | New Lodge and Duncairn Community Health Partnership | 12:30pm to 2pm |
| Social Café (Youth Group) | Resurgam Healthy Living Centre | 3:30pm |
| Activity | Where? | When? |
| Take 5 Taster | Derg Healthy Living Centre | 10am |
| Care for a Cuppa in the Glens | Northern Area Community Network | 10:30am |
| Capacitor workshops | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 10:30am |
| Staff well-being: Hillwalking | Clanrye Group | 11am |
| Mindfulness walk | Oak Healthy Living Centre | 11am |
| Tai Chi | Divis Community Centre, HEART | 11:15am |
| Picnic by walled garden and Chi Me | Peninsula Healthy Living Centre | 12pm |
| Ligoniel Retreat | New Lodge and Duncairn Community Health Partnership | 12pm |
| Networking event | Causeway Rural and Urban Network | 6pm |
| Activity | Where? | When? |
| Arts with Linda | The Verve Project (The Fitzone) | 10am |
| Get Moving with Mary | Maureen Sheehan Centre, HEART | 10am |
| Well-being Wheels | Northern Area Community Network | 10am |
| Capacitor workshops | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 11am |
| Well-being hour open session | Oak Healthy Living Centre | 11am |
| Staff well-being lunch | New Lodge and Duncairn Community Health Partnership | 1:45pm |
| Activity | Where? | When? |
| Yogalates | The Verve Project (The Fitzone) | 9:30am |
| Community event | Shaftsbury Community and Resource Centre | 10am to 2pm |
| Networking event and conference | The Verve Project (Clan Na Gael) | 10am |
| Capacitor workshops | South Armagh Rural Health Partnership | 11am |
| Feel Good Friday – Coffee & Connect | Oak Healthy Living Centre | 11am |
| Mindful walk, coffee and chat | New Lodge and Duncairn Community Health Partnership | 12:30pm |
| Dander Ball (Men 50+) | The Muga – Frank Gillen Centre, HEART | 10am |
Mental Health for Better Days
Working with the Healthy Living Centre Alliance (HLCA), we are investing in a tailored programme to protect the mental health of people living with long-term physical health conditions, Mental Health for Better Days.
Learn more about the programme