Are you Aware of this?

“We continue to live in a time of great uncertainty which exacerbates the need to protect mental health and to build resilience.”

Those were the words of Stephen McBride of Aware this week as the national charity supporting people impacted by depression and bipolar disorder opened registration for its new adult education programmes.

The courses offered start on 25 April and have been designed to empower people living with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder as well as their support network and the general population, with the knowledge and skills to build positive mental health and resilience into the future.

The in-person and virtual sessions are free of charge but places are limited. Some courses will be held in the meeting rooms at Brú Columbanus in Wilton.

Approximately 6,000 adults took part in Aware’s adult education programmes last year, and the charity expects demand will continue as the need for mental health supports remains extremely high in Ireland.

Aware’s Director of Services Stephen McBride said: “People are navigating a new pandemic landscape, transitioning back to the office and re-emerging back into society. Our Life Skills Programme may just be the right space to help people develop new tools that will enable them to better navigate the new environment we find ourselves in.

“Attendees will also develop their knowledge and understanding of the importance of having these skills so they can practise self-care. On the Living Well with Bipolar Disorder Programme, people diagnosed with the condition can learn new ways to manage it more effectively. It is the only course of its kind in Ireland and is a great step for increasing the supports available for people living with this very challenging condition.”

Stephen added: “At a societal level, the understanding of bipolar disorder remains very limited in Ireland, and Aware is committed to helping people living with a diagnosis to learn methods that will help them to live well.

“And finally, our Relatives and Friends Programme represents a very positive intervention in the under-resourced area of ‘supporting the supporter’. Aware wants to encourage as many as possible to take up the opportunity to learn ways to protect their own well-being as they undertake the challenging role of assisting others.”

If you are impacted by depression, bipolar disorder, or other mood related conditions, you can contact Aware’s free support line seven days a week from 10am-10pm on 1800-804848.