Mental Health
Mental Health Provision
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) has been appointed to provide a brand new service in Aberdeenshire.
The new pathways to recovery service called MyLifeDynamic, will launch in January 2017 and is designed to support people living with mental health problems towards recovery and engagement in the wider community and working world.
SAMH has a long history of delivering services in Aberdeenshire and the surrounding areas; from work in suicide prevention to housing support and outreach.
Over the next few weeks SAMH will be running a series of community engagement events to promote the new service and in particular invite people using current services to find out more about the service and referral routes. Events will run in Stonehaven, Peterhead, Banff, Inverurie and Ellon.
South event – Stonehaven, Community Centre, Friday 25th November, 1pm -2pm
The service which was commissioned by Aberdeenshire Council will focus on integration and recovery. The service team will support people to engage with existing community facilities and services to promote a sense of purpose and social inclusion. Delivery will be across Aberdeenshire including support for people living in rural areas.
Scottish Mental Health First Aid: Young People

Aberdeen Health Village, Frederick Street,
Aberdeen AB24 5HY
Tuesday 27th Sept 2016 or Monday 28th Nov 2016
The course was developed as a mental health equivalent of physical first aid for those working, supporting or parenting 11 – 17 year olds. SMHFA/YP is an evidence learning course for adults to provide initial support; in a crisis and non-crisis situation.
We are running 2 courses in Aberdeen to meet the demand.
This course does not train you to become a counsellor or mental health professional. It is designed to teach you to better understand mental health and how it affects young people, as well as learn mental first aid skills such as:-
- How to recognise the signs of mental health problems or distress
- How to ask about mental distress
- How to provide initial support
- How to guide a young person towards appropriate professional help
The course also aims to show how mental health first aid can be applied in a crisis situation involving a range of common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide and substance misuse.
This 14-hour training course is designed to increase understanding of mental health and how it affects young people. The course requires several hours of personal CPD both before and after the training day in order to complete the course requirements. The personal learning part of the course is done through the e-learning zone on the SMHFA –YP website.
The Cost is £75 per participant for the 14 hours CPD (including 1 day training). To book a place on either course please email training@thespark.org.uk or contact Emma Cameron on 07760257038 or at e.cameron@thespark.org.uk stating which course date you are interested in. 
Missing Piece?

The mental health foundation have developed a great animation for mental health awareness week which is happening this week. Click on the link;
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/podcasts-and-videos/relationships-missing-piece-wellbeing-puzzle
National Mental Health Awareness Week

In support of
National Mental Health Awareness Week
16th – 22nd May 2016
Healthy and supportive relationships promote mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of mental ill-health. This is a celebration of the connections, the relationships and the people in our lives that add to our wellbeing and protect and sustain our mental health. From family and friends, to colleagues, neighbours and communities; taking notice of those connections that make us feel good, give us a sense of belonging and help us feel safe and supported.
What’s happening in Kincardine & Mearns?
Monday 16th May – Health Walk –leaving from Pillar Kincardine Office 42-46 Barclay St Stonehaven at 10.30 or by arrangement.
Booking essential – please call 01569767222 or email info@pillarkincardine.co.uk
Tuesday 17th May – Pillar Presents – Stonehaven South Church from 12noon to 2pm
For an invitation or to book a place call 01569767222 or email info@pillarkincardine.co.uk
Wednesday 18th May – Portlethen Health Walk. Meet at 10am in the Jubilee Hall, Cookston Road, Portlethen
Monday 16th to Friday 20th May – Behind the Mask display in Stonehaven Library Window
For a full copy of the South Aberdeenshire programme contact info@pillarkincardine.co.uk
Scottish Mental Health First Aid: Young People

Scottish Mental Health First Aid: Young People
Tesco Community Room – Inverurie
Tuesday 24th May 2016
The Spark now has a trainer able to deliver the above course in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. If you require an in-house course or would like to take part in an open course please get in touch with Emma Cameron at The Spark on e.cameron@thespark.org.uk or 07760257038 for more information. We have an open course on Tuesday 24th May 2016 in Inverurie.
For those working/support or volunteering with 11 – 17 year olds, this is an evidence learning course for adults to provide initial support; in a crisis and non-crisis situation.
This course does not train you to become a counsellor or mental health professional. It is designed to teach you to better understand mental health and how it affects young people, as well as learn mental first aid skills such as:-
- How to recognise the signs of mental health problems or distress
- How to ask about mental distress
- How to provide initial support
- How to guide a young person towards appropriate professional help
The course also aims to show how mental health first aid can be applied in a crisis situation involving a range of common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide and substance misuse.
This 14-hour training course is designed to increase understanding of
mental health and how it affects young people. The course requires several hours of personal CPD both before and after the training day in order to complete the course requirements. The personal learning part of the course is done through the e-learning zone on the SMHFA –YP website.
The Cost is £75 per participant for the 14 hours CPD (including 1 day training).

Mental Health – Voluntary Health Scotland want your input
Many voluntary health organisations support people’s mental as well as physical wellbeing, whether
you consider yourselves to be a mental health charity or not. You do this by supporting people
through stressful life challenges, by reducing social isolation and loneliness, and by fostering
resilience and creating the conditions for good mental health.
VHS are always keen to hear from members on what they think we should be focusing on in this
area – what are the key issues for you right now? What needs to be addressed in the Scottish
Government’s next Mental Health Strategy? What are they key contributions the third sector
is making to the mental health agenda? Where are the biggest gaps?
Get in touch with Catherine Ronald or call 0131 474 6187 with your input.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS – Monday 25th January 2016
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action Training in partnership with NHS Grampian and Networks of Wellbeing is offering this course free of charge. The course is aimed at sufferers, family members and carers, staff in any organisation who deal regularly with people who are experiencing or have recovered from mental health problems. Employers and Managers who support staff who are experiencing mental health problems.
Course aims:
The aim of the course is to provide participants with an overview of the most common mental health problems. The workshop includes a number of small group exercises and includes video clips. Participants will gain greater understanding of the impact on sufferers and those around them.
Course content:
By the end of the course, participants will have covered:
- Mental Health in Scotland an overview
- Defining Mental Health
The major mental health problems and other issues/questions raised by participants:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Bi-Polar Disorder
Time: 9.30am –12.30pm
Venue: Networks @ No 11, 11 Gordon Street, Huntly. AB54 8AJ
Cost: Free (however a £15 charge will be made for non-attendance once booking confirmed)
Trainer: Bill Murdoch
Please complete the attached application form and return to: training@avashire.org.uk or contact Shirley Leask on 01771 624589 for further information.
National Conversation – Creating a Healthier Scotland: What Matters to You?
From August 2015 to April 2016 the Scottish Government is holding a 
national conversation on health and social care services in Scotland. The
conversation is seeking views on what a healthier Scotland should look like in
the next 10-15 years from now and how people in Scotland can be
supported to be as healthy as they can be. To help get the conversation
started three broad questions have been issued:
• What support do we need in Scotland to live healthier lives?
• What areas of health and social care matter most to you?
• Thinking about the future of health and social care services, where should
our focus be?
A facilitation pack is now available to help you host local conversations. This material is designed to give you a bit more background on the current situation in Scotland, where there have been successes and some of the long term challenges we face.
Join in the discussions online at: http://healthier.scot/
Twitter: @scotgovhealth #healthierscotland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/healthier.scot
Email: healthier@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
OPEN YOUR DOOR TO WELLBEING
FREE EVENT!
OPEN YOUR DOOR TO WELLBEING
St Bridget’s Hall, Stonehaven
Saturday 31st Oct 2015
10am – 12noon
Come along to our FREE event!
Explore local opportunities to help you look after
Your health and wellbeing!
Stalls, refreshments, information and
entry into a FREE prize draw!
Our Song: Mental Health In Young People
Check out this fantastic film from young people in the Mearns area.
Music and Mental Health Benefits
Listening to music is a relatively inexpensive, effective activity which can be used in everyday life to improve our mental wellbeing. Lively up beat music can lift the spirits and improve mood and sometimes encourage us to get moving! Similarly calm and soothing music can help us to relax and ease fear and anxiety. Studies suggest, listening to music releases a chemical in the brain that has a key role in affecting our mood.
Here are some of the psychological benefits of listening to music:
- Helps improve mood and increase positive emotions
- Encourages self-expression
- Improves level of interest
- Improves social interaction
- Increases relaxation and reduces tension and anxiety
- Improves self esteem
Studies also show that music promotes positive overall health and those that listen to music demonstrate:
- A better night’s sleep
- Diminished pain
- Improved memory and recall
- Increased ability to concentrate
- Increased mobility and co-ordination
As mentioned above music is something that can be incorporated into your everyday life and is very versatile. Music can be enjoyed:
- On your own or in a crowd
- While doing housework or in the shower
- While out for a walk or in the car
- At work or relaxing at home in the evening
- Going to sleep or awakening
- While moving/dancing or lying still
- At home or outdoors
The possibilities for incorporating music into our everyday routines are endless and with the use of modern technology e.g. iPod, iPad, playlists, i tunes, Spotify etc. a wide variety of music and genres have become extremely easy to access. 
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