2017 was the most fulfilling year of my life. Period.
I didn't earn any huge sums of money, I didn't invest in property and I didn't buy Bitcoin.
My year was quite the opposite of the superficial meaning of 'success', actually.
For the first time in my 28 years on this planet I felt part of something. Here's why:
January 2018 will mark 1 year since I created
Replenish: Acting on Mental Health, my Mental Health organisation
I launched Replenish as a response to the
lack of ground level and non-clinical mental health support and care that I experienced whilst growing up. The concept of Replenish was my way of creating just that exact kind of support. Replenish is a refuge for those enduring the crippling isolation that our mental health can bestow upon us, making us feel like we're in the barren wilderness.
I started as myself, just me, as it has always been.
Today, I have a team of professionals who work with Replenish to provide their care, advice and support. These are people who share the vision of Replenish. They help and facilitate people to 'act on their mental health'.
To illustrate how Replenish has grown exponentially, and exceeded all my expectations, let us go back to October 10th,
World Mental Health Day.
For World Mental Health Day on October 2016 I created a documentary with the help of University of Ulster students looking at how mental health was perceived and understood in the city of Derry.
(
Watch Here)
So for 2017 I knew I had to move up the scale and do something a bit bigger and a lot more effective. And that we did.
We developed an output of speakers, advice and activities in a way that demonstrated how good mental health wellbeing and recovery isn't down to one solution, but many small accumulative actions. Oh, and we also made a short film, 'Unfiltered Water'
(Watch Here)
We demonstrated action planning with an Occupational Therapist, a Yoga Session, Nutritional advice, Pharmaceutical information, Complementary Therapies, discussions and panels surrounding workplace mental health and maternal mental health, and the benefits from massage. We proved how inclusive, uplifting and empowering acting on your mental health can actually be.
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Yasmin, Occupational Therapist |
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Michele explaining her role as a Heartmath Practitioner. |
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George, Emer and Myself. 'Unfiltered Water' |
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Megan Robinson of Pearl Healing Corner |
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Incredible Women, Emma & Natasha |
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The Team |
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What's your One Word? |
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Replenish 'Snapchat' Filter |
You will see that it doesn't just take one person to make a change, it takes a lot of selfless people to contribute to making big changes and creating a revolution in mental health awareness and culture.
Since World Mental Health Day, October 10th 2017, I was able to take my existing 6 week Workshops and enhance them by incorporating the work of the professionals that you've just seen. They are now an integral part of Replenish and reason why we've been able to make waves, even in our infancy. We've been to Letterkenny, Buncrana, 5 times in Derry, Limavady, Sligo and in 2018 we're going further afield.
2017 saw Replenish deliver workshops in Workplaces and Schools and we are already booked for 2018, and we want you to get involved. Whether it's volunteering, sharing your professional expertise or simply being part of the Replenish movement, we would love to have you.
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The Derry Journal |
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Launching World Mental Health Day on the Radio |
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Speaking in Antrim at the Health & Safety Executive of Northern Ireland's 'Build | Health' conference. |
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Speaking with the Youth at the Donegal Youth Service for the 'Shape of You' Body and Image Initiative. |
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Derry Post |
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Speaking at St Mary's College |
So you can imagine the excitement for Replenish 2018.
For now, we want you to know that we are developing a 6 Week 'Steps to Self-Care' programme that is specific to developing a plan that empowers an individual to act on their mental health with accessible, non-clinical and compassionate professionals.
To book the upcoming 'Steps to Self-Care' Workshops beginning in January please go to the
Replenish Wesbite or message me on Replenishyourmind@gmail.com
Thank you for supporting, taking part in, believing in and helping us in making waves in mental health.
To be part of the Replenish Tribes, which are support groups that are continued after the 6 week workshops, you can join here
HERE