Rochdale and District Mind is taking bookings for mental health support sessions

Rochdale and District Mind has opened up bookings for some of its peer support sessions following lockdown.

The courses available from its Drake Street centre include separate 12-week courses for male and female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), a 12-week women’s wellbeing course, plus six-week courses to help manage depression, and anxiety.

Survivors of CSA will be made to feel at ease and introduced to various coping strategies, as well as aiming to enhance their wellbeing, outlook and self-esteem.

The women’s wellbeing group aims to empower and support women in mental health struggles, covering various topics such as managing stress, exercise, hobbies, and self-esteem.

Managing Depression will help participants gain insight as to how depression and low mood impacts wellbeing, such as reducing levels of energy and motivation. Participants will be introduced to strategies for breaking current patterns or unhelpful behaviours and learn skills to enhance mood and wellbeing.

Managing Anxiety will help participants to develop techniques to combat negative thought patterns and limit the adverse impact these thoughts can have on wellbeing through methods based on cognitive behavioural therapy. Participants will gain a better understanding into the inner workings of anxiety to help identify negative behaviours.

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Female survivors of CSA – Mondays 10am-11.30am (12 weeks)

Male survivors of CSA – Mondays 1pm-2.30pm (12 weeks)

• Contact: Jeanette on 07896 146 413 or jeannettetoombs@rochdalemind.org.uk

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Women’s wellbeing group – Wednesdays 1pm-2.30pm (12 weeks)

• Contact: Shagufta on 07837 805 205 or shaguftafarhat@rochdalemind.org.uk

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Managing depression – Tuesdays 1.30pm-3.30pm (six weeks)

Managing anxiety – Thursdays 6pm-8pm (six weeks)

• Contact: Neil on 07969 150 018 or neilkerr@rochdalemind.org.uk

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Rochdale and District Mind is also hosting a ‘listening lounge’ on Friday 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, between 10am and 4pm.

The morning session (10am-12noon) will be provided in Urdu with refreshments, whilst the afternoon session (12noon-4pm) will be provided in English with refreshments.

The listening lounge will provide informal group discussions, and one-to-one wellbeing chats as well as writing messages of hope. These messages will be attached to balloons and displayed at the Drake Street wellbeing centre.