“Coming Together” for Mental Health
On October 23rd, we hosted “Coming Together,” a special event focused on uniting local mental health services and resources. Working every day in the Emotional Wellbeing Service, we witness the incredible range of mental health support available in our community. However, we also know how challenging it can be to find the right help. People often struggle to navigate the mental health landscape, unsure of what each organisation offers or what’s available nearby. That’s why we created “Coming Together”, to bring community groups, voluntary organisations, statutory partners, and mental health professionals together under one roof.
Our hope for the day was to inspire collaboration, share best practices, and strengthen partnerships among everyone working to improve mental health in the Causeway Coast and Glens area. With rising demand for mental health support and limited funding, working together is more essential than ever.
The event exceeded our expectations! Over 80 people from different sectors came together, all with a shared goal of making mental health support more accessible and effective. We were honored to hear from some of Northern Ireland’s leading mental health advocates, including Siobhan O’Neill, the NI Mental Health Champion, Shauna Houston from the Public Health Agency, and Lindsay Shaw from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. We were also joined by representatives from local charities like The Zachary Geddis Trust, The Hummingbird Project, and the Wave Project, each of whom offered valuable insights and resources.
Vicky Mulholland, our Emotional Wellbeing Services Co-Ordinator, put it so well: “When we work together, we create a fuller picture, one that better serves our community and future generations.” Taking time to connect isn’t always easy, but the connections made that day were a reminder of how worthwhile it can be.
The feedback we received was both encouraging and motivating. One participant mentioned, "This has been a great opportunity to meet with others working locally in the field of mental health. Often, these events are in Belfast or Derry, so it’s helpful to see what’s happening here in our local area and how we can work collaboratively.” Another attendee shared, "It’s been really helpful to see the wealth of experience in the room and find ways to signpost others to get more holistic support.”
Looking ahead, we hope that “Coming Together” will be a catalyst for establishing a strong, integrated mental health network in our area. We’re already envisioning future collaborations with the Public Health Agency, Northern Trust, GP Federation, and other charities and agencies, and we’re hopeful that “Coming Together” will become an annual event.
This day reminded us all of the power of collaboration. By joining forces, we can make a real difference for those facing mental health challenges in our community.