Group will give mental health carers support

ASUPPORT group for those who care for loved ones with mental health problems is launching a new yoga, massage and mindfulness course.

Stockport Mental Health Carers Group has been running since 2011. It is run by carers, for carers and holds monthly meetings, often with a speaker followed by a discussion.

Irene Harris, from the group, said: “We have speakers to give the meetings focus. We get representatives from other groups as well as interested professionals who share our values coming along.”

The aim is to offer emotional support, information and guidance through mental health service provision.

It is estimated that the group has around 100 members in total and on average the meetings see an attendance of around 20 people per session. The group has also held three conferences, each with around 100 carers, service users, professionals and interested people in attendance.

“You get a lot of stigma and ignorance around mental health issues, but we are proud of our loved ones, they are really lovely people,” Irene added.

The new course will take place at Stockport’s Quaker Meeting House on Cooper Street from May 15 and organiser Kay Locke says it is ‘inspired by the wisdom accumulated by the mental health carers group.’

She said: “We will practice gentle movement to release tension and tightness built up and stored in the body, soothe the nervous system with simple breath awareness, learn self care skills and strategies and practice mindfulness activities.”

There will be a four-week introductory phase where potential participants can attend on a one-to-one basis to meet the teacher and find out more about what is on offer. These sessions will take place on April 3, 10 and 24 and May 8. The course will then run for six weeks from Monday, May 15.

Stockport residents who are affected by mental health issues and their carers are invited to book in and attend one of the introductory taster sessions; contact Irene at irene@mhcarersgroupstockport.co.uk or 07977 606543, or at kay@yoga2calm.co.uk or 07578 775550.

The monthly meetings also take place at the Quaker Meeting House on the last Thursday of the month between 7pm and 9pm.

‘You get a lot of stigma and ignorance around mental health issues’