Stress Control Programme Announced in the Newtownabbey Area

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust, in partnership with Monkstown Village Initiatives, has released dates for a new Stress Control programme in the Newtownabbey area.

‘Stress Control’ is a six week, self-help course aimed at people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression, anyone who is experiencing stress, knows someone who is, or just wants to be better equipped to deal with stress, is welcome to attend.

The classes will be delivered by staff from the Northern Trust’s Psychological Therapies Service and Monkstown Village Initiatives. Over 450 people have attended the classes to date, learning a range of beneficial new skills to help them manage stress.

Pat Hutchinson MBE has previously attended ‘Stress Control’ with members of her staff in Rathcoole. Commenting on her experience, she said:

“I would highly recommend this programme. Six members of Citizens Advice Newtownabbey staff attended and the stress classes very well facilitated and extremely useful. All those who attended felt that the classes were very beneficial for home and work life. The coping strategies were excellent, simple and effective in dealing with stress and there was no pressure in the classes to talk about yourself. Rosie is an excellent facilitator and very easy to listen to. One member of staff told me that she still uses the coping strategy of mindfulness six months after doing the course.”

The classes, which are free of charge and flexible, are open to anyone living in the Northern Trust area. Individuals can choose a daytime or evening class and can attend different classes each week to work best around their schedule. The classes are completely confidential with no sharing of personal difficulties in front of others.

Classes will meet at:

• Monkstown Village Centre, Newtownabbey on Tuesday evenings (7.00pm – 8.30pm from 2nd February – 8th March 2016)

• Oakfield Community Centre, Carrickfergus on Wednesday evenings (7.00pm – 8.30pm from 3rd February – 9th March 2016)

• The Dunanney Centre, Rathcoole on Thursday mornings (10.30am – 12.00 noon from 4th February – 10th March 2016).

Anyone who is interested in attending should contact Monkstown Village Initiatives on 028 9086 0090, or simply turn up on the night. Friends and family members are also welcome.

12th January 2016