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. It is also open to anyone who is experiencing stress, knows someone who is, or just wants to be better equipped to deal with stress.

The classes will be delivered by staff from the Northern Trust’s Psychological Therapies Service and Monkstown Village Initiatives. Over 570 people have attended the classes to date, learning a range of beneficial new skills to help them manage stress.

Pat Hutchinson, MBE, attended Stress Control with members of her staff in Rathcoole and said this of her experience:

“I found the stress classes very well facilitated and extremely useful. Six staff members of Citizens Advice Newtownabbey attended and all felt that the classes were very beneficial for home and work life. The coping strategies were excellent, simple and effective in dealing with stress, there was no pressure in the classes to talk about yourself, Rosie is an excellent facilitator; 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. I would highly recommend 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 20 September – 25 October 2016)

• Oakfield Community Centre, Carrickfergus on Wednesday evenings (7.00pm – 8.30pm from 21 September – 26 October 2016)

• The Dunanney Centre, Rathcoole on Thursday mornings (10.30am – 12.00 noon from 22 September – 27 October 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.

9th September 2016