across the Life Span Our experience of delivery of a Life Skills - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Working together to respond to Mental Health needs across the Life Span Our experience of delivery of a Life Skills Programme based on CBT concepts Pat Lynch and Anne McCabe Aware Defeat Depression Aware Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland

Course Background • Initial programme piloted by Aware Defeat Depression in NI 2006 – 2008 • Partly funded by Department of Health • A programme of educational workshops based on CBT using resources developed by Dr Chris Williams • Originally called ‘Overcoming Depression’ • Aimed at those with mild to moderate depression

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About the Programme • Renewed funding 2009 to 2011 coincided with the development of new resources by Chris Williams • Now delivered under licence to – www.fiveareas.com • Being used in UK mainland as part of IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) • Also provided potential for it to be delivered as a ‘health promotion’ course • Aware RoI commenced delivery in May 2012

About the programme • Free to participants • Participants may self refer or be referred by GP etc. • Educational – teaches skills that can be used for life • Limited personal disclosure by participants • Can accommodate approximately 15 - 25 participants • Flexible delivery i.e. 4 to 8 sessions • Participants encouraged to attend all sessions

The 5 Areas Approach

Why Do I Feel So Bad? • Introduces vicious circle • Practical examples • Turning vicious circle to virtuous circle

I Can’t Be Bothered Doing Anything • Focus on overcoming reduced activity and avoidance • Achieving a balance of activities • Making a plan to change • Small steps

Why Does Everything Always Go Wrong? • Focus on negative and extreme thinking • 7 Unhelpful thinking styles • Introduces 5 step - ‘Amazing Bad Thought Busting Programme’

I’m Not Good Enough • Focus on overcoming low self esteem • Acting confident can make you feel confident • 8 out of 10 is good enough

How to Fix Almost Everything • Focus on dealing with practical problems • Introduces the ‘Easy 4 Step Plan’ • Practical examples

Things You Do That Mess You Up • Focus on things that can make us feel worse – comfort eating, alcohol, spending too much, hiding away • How to stop doing them

Are You Strong Enough to Keep Your Temper? • Focus on recognising ‘triggers’ that push our buttons • 3- step plan for staying in control - 1, 2, 3 Chill • Relaxation Techniques

Feel Happier Straight Away • A bit of fun with a serious message • Exercise, healthy eating, appreciating the simple things, music, helping others, remembering the good things

Courses delivered to date NI • Over 220 courses delivered • Almost 3200 participants Funded mainly by: • Public Health Agency • Health Trusts • Big Lottery

Courses delivered to date ROI • Over 110 courses delivered • 2,062 Participants Funded by: Tesco

Does it work? • Overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants indicates that it does • This is confirmed in evaluations to date which demonstrate a significant improvement in mood for many participants

Independent Evaluation NI 2011 • Evaluation of 52 course delivered in NI in 2011 • 509 participants completed pre and post questionnaires • Before - 72% depressed, 18% not depressed, 10% happy • After -13% depressed, 20% not depressed, 67% happy

Independent Evaluation ROI 2013 • Evaluation of 15 courses delivered in February 2012 • 440 participants completed pre questionnaires, 62% remained for the duration of six weeks. Pre, mid and post evaluations were completed. • PHQ9 - A 31% positive shift occurred from ‘depressed’ to ‘not depressed’ between session 1 – 6. • GAD7 – A 35% positive shift from ‘anxious’ to mildly anxious or better between session 1 - 6 • In contrast, no individual reported having “severe” anxiety by session 6 compared to 20% in session 1.

Randomised Control Trial Derry/Glasgow 2012 • 50 participants - 27 Glasgow and 23 Derry • 2 groups in each location - 1 immediate/1 delayed 12 weeks • Significant improvement for both depression and anxiety scores for immediate group • Improvement not replicated in delayed group • Indicates that improvement in mood attributed to treatment i.e. LLTTF class

Future Plans • Make the course widely available across the island of Ireland for all those who need it. • Core service for both organisations

Contact Details Aware Defeat Depression – NI Aware - Republic of Ireland Head Office – Derry Belfast Office Head Office: 56 Strand Road 40 – 44 Duncairn Gardens 72 Lower Leeson Street Londonderry Belfast Dublin 2. BT48 7AJ BT15 2GG 00353 1 6617211 028 7126 0602 028 9035 7820 www.aware-ni.org www.aware.ie info@aware-ni.org info@aware.ie Like us on Facebook Like us on Facebook @AwareNI @Aware

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