Help is at hand for those with DEPRESSION
Aware’s new courses offer advice and support to people who are struggling
IT can be difficult to be living with someone who is suffering from depression or bipolar disorder when you don’t have the skills to negotiate the rough seas that the illnesses can bring. So, too, can it be hard for sufferers, despite the help that medication can bring.
Which is why Aware, Ireland’s leading organisation providing support, education and information services for people impacted by depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions is urging people to invest in their mental health this year, with the return of its online workshops.
The Life Skills Group Programme, Relatives & Friends Programme and Living Well With Bipolar Disorder programmes will be available to attend in a virtual group setting from January 29.
Registration is now open at aware.ie/programmes/.
The programmes are available from Monday to Friday, so you can choose the day and session time that best suits your schedule.
AWARE LIFE SKILLS GROUP PROGRAMME
The Life Skills Group Programme, nine hours over the course of six weeks, will teach attendees how to better cope with the stresses of everyday life, recognise and manage unhelpful thoughts, learn new ways of thinking and ultimately begin the journey to a healthier and more confident life. Developed by the renowned cognitive behaviour therapy specialist (CBT), Dr Chris Williams, the programme is specifically designed to help people learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways.
AWARE RELATIVES & FRIENDS PROGRAMME
The free psycho-educational programme, six hours over the course of four weeks, is designed to equip people with the tools to understand and support a loved one experiencing depression or bipolar disorder, while also focusing on the self-care of the supporter.
The content of this course addresses the signs and symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder, offers practical advice on self-care, teaches coping tools, communication skills, and addresses the issues that arise for people who are supporting a loved one.
One previous participant said ‘I thought it was great to be in a room with others in the same boat – very comforting. Sharing experiences and hearing that the way I’m reacting is normal and giving me information how to help.’
Others says the course helped them to be a better listener.
‘I found this programme very helpful and it helped me to realise, while I thought I was listening to my loved one, I really wasn’t truly listening. I learned how to listen better, be more empathetic, and communicate more effectively,’ they said.
Another participant said they learned the importance of looking after themselves so that they could care for their loved ones without burnout’
AWARE LIVING WELL WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER PROGRAMME
This programme is designed for people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and aims to equip participants with opportunities to understand and effectively manage the condition. It’s delivered workshop style in 90-minute sessions each week over eight weeks. Participants are invited to bring a supporter to the seventh session which is a two-hour session. This programme is followed by a dedicated Support And Self Care Group for a period of six weeks to enable participants to reflect on the programme and support each other as they further explore or implement the learnings.
‘Bipolar can be a very isolating illness and to feel connected to others going through similar experiences makes such a difference,’ said one previous participant.
Online registration for both programmes is now open at aware.ie and places are available to anyone over 18. There are a limited number of places available for each programme to ensure that everyone can benefit from the sessions. The programmes are delivered in workshop style to offer a participative learning environment. Each session is 90 minutes long. The workshops provide an opportunity for discussion but at no stage is anyone asked to share information if they do not wish to.
‘The Aware education programmes are free to attend, with a refundable €30 booking deposit in place to ensure participants that really want to book a place have the opportunity to do so,’ says a spokesperson. ‘The booking fee will be refunded by contacting
The Aware programmes are free to attend
Aware once all modules in the course have been completed. Reduced booking fees are available for students, the unemployed, OAPs or those in possession of a medical card. Aware services include support and self care groups nationwide and a Support Line and Support Mail service, both of which operate 365 days a year.’
The charity delivers a range of programmes designed to empower adults and senior cycle students with the knowledge and skills to build resilience and protect their mental health. For more information visit