The Western Trust Recovery College offers free courses and workshops that support people to better understand and manage their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
All courses are written and delivered by people with lived experience of mental health issues in partnership with those who have professional experience and knowledge. The College strives to promote hope and self-awareness; increase understanding of particular conditions and treatments; and encourages self-management with an emphasis on taking back control.
Our free courses are open to all – those who use services, people with mental health issues whether diagnosed or otherwise, carers and supporters, students, health professionals – in fact anyone who is interested in good mental health.
We usually operate in 5 locations within the Trust area: Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane, and we work hard to make the College friendly and informal, and a place where we support and learn from each other.
Current Recovery College Prospectus
Download and Print the Autumn/Winter 2024 Prospectus
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Recovery Services
The Western Trust provides specialist mental health teams based on the recovery ethos and focused on the needs of those with severe and enduring mental health problems.
Our Mission Statement
Mental Health Recovery Services in the Western Trust exist to support people with serious and enduring mental health problems in their personal journey towards recovery. Services are underpinned by the principles of a person centred, strengths based approach, recognising the unique skills, creativity and expertise both of the service user and the helper. The guiding principles of autonomy, fairness, protection, dignity and respect are integral to the therapeutic alliance.
Aim
To meet the mental health care needs of service users with severe and enduring illness by making the best of available resources to provide accessible, effective and timely interventions and to support service users to develop hope, resilience, independence, and ultimately to lead meaningful lives.
- Recovery College Autumn and Winter 2024 Prospectus
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Recovery College Reaching Out Campaign
Reaching Out Campaign – Introduction
Week 1 – What is anxiety?
What is anxiety? – Flora’s Story
Question Video – What is anxiety?
Answering Your Questions – What is anxiety? – Click Here to View
Week 2 – Staying Connected
Staying Connected – Kate’s Story
Dr. Catrin Gabriel, Staying Connected
Dr. Catrin Gabriel, Review of Comments and Suggestions – Staying Connected – Click Here to View
Week 3 – Seeking Support for your Mental Health
Service User Story – Seeking Support for your Mental Health
Seeking Support for your Mental Health
Seeking Support for your Mental Health – Answering your Questions – Click here to view
Week 4 – Understanding Self Compassion
Eva’s Story – Understanding Self Compassion
Bernadette Doherty, Peer Volunteer – Understanding Self Compassion
Resources
Centre for Clinical Interventions – Self Care Workbook
“Self- compassion: The Proven Power of being kind to yourself” by Kristin Neff, Ph.D
Week 5 – Five Steps to Wellbeing
Sarah Crawford, Occupational Therapist
Resources
The original Five Ways to Wellbeing Report by the New Economics Foundation
NHS Choices – Mindfulness and Taking Notice
Week 6 Coping Strategies
Answering Your Questions – Coping Strategies
Joanne Heavern – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
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Creating Wellness In Winter
Tapestry Weaving with Emma
Rocking Reindeer Craft with Melanie
Cheesy Bean Crunch with Olive
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Creating Wellness in Autumn
Video 1
Video 2 – Tin Craft Art
Video 3 – Leaf Art
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Video Resources
Journaling for Wellness
What is Depression?
Understanding the Cycle of Depression
Managing Depression
What is Anxiety?
The Cycle of Anxiety
What is Mindfulness?
Living Well with Bipolar
Getting Back on Track
Getting A Good Night’s SleepFood and Mood
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Finding Hope
Click on the image above to download and print Finding Hope, the Western Trust Recovery College’s guide to help and support for mental health and wellbeing in the Trust area.
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Recovery College Latest Newsletters
As part of their Reaching Out campaign the Recovery College’s is producing fortnightly newsletters to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing during the COVID19 pandemic. You can download and print the newsletters below.
- Further Resources
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Recovery Stories
Caroline’s Recovery Story
Read personal accounts of individuals in the Western Trust area who have had mental health challenges in their life below: -
About Our Courses
Click on the icons below to hear more about our courses.
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Mental Health Helplines
- Lifeline – a crisis-response helpline service operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in distress or despair, you can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 and talk to an experienced counsellor in confidence.
- Samaritans – A safe space for you to talk: 116 123
- Childline – If you are a child or young person, you can talk to Childline by phoning: 0800 1111 for free, 24hours a day or online at childline.org.uk
- 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline – Free phone support, advice and signposting for men and women: 0808 802 1414
- NSPCC Helpline – helping adults protect children 0808 800 5000
- Inspire Workplace Helpline – Formerly Carecall 0808 800 0002
All of the helplines above are free to call.
For all other local helplines for a variety of services in Northern Ireland, please visit: Helplines Network NI
Contacts
Recovery College
Lisnamallard
5b Woodside Avenue
Omagh
Co. Tyrone
02882833291
mailto:recoverycollege@westerntrust.hscni.net