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Niamh (The Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health), is urging people to give their mental health an MOT in the run up to World Mental Health Day on 10 Oct 2010. 

In NI there is evidence to suggest that we have up to 30% higher levels of mental illness than the rest of the UK.  The Northern Ireland Health and Social Wellbeing Survey (2005/06) also found that in NI women were more likely to show signs of a possible mental health problem than men, and women were also more likely than men to have experienced a great deal of worry or stress.

To highlight the importance of looking after your mental health, Niamh has launched a 10 step Mental Health MOT, which can be accessed through their website: www.niamhwellbeing.org.  The mental health MOT looks at the 10 most common issues affecting mental wellbeing and includes factors such as stress, mood, relationships, laughter, memory and self-image. 

Peter McBride, Niamh CEO (Designate) explains the thinking behind the initiative. “Just like our physical body, our mind needs a health check every now and then. The Mental Health MOT is designed to enable people to ‘take stock’ of their mental health and wellbeing.”   

“Our mental health and wellbeing changes as our life circumstances change and we need to take notice of these changes.  Just as a physical illness can be caused by a virus or damage from a variety of external sources, so too can our minds come under pressure due to, for example, repetitive negative thoughts, preoccupation with challenging external circumstances, too much dwelling on the past, worrying about the future or very often, high levels of stress.  Mental wellbeing is not static.  It changes.  At different times in our lives we are mentally healthier than at others.”

“It is important for people to realise that no one is immune and we should all carry out a mental check to see how we are doing and take action if we feel we are ‘below par’. There are many things we can do to fine-tune our mental perceptions and abilities and the Niamh Mental Health MOT highlights a number of questions that people can ask themselves to help review their own mental health and wellbeing - with advice on what to do if anyone has concerns.”

Niamh is the longest established mental health organisation in Northern Ireland and is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary year. Through its three services: Carecall, Beacon and Compass, Niamh promotes mental wellbeing and helps people in Northern Ireland who have experienced mental illness.