On 1st April 2014 Health Minister Edwin Poots launched of Mindwise’s ‘You Can Take Control’ campaign in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

The campaign is part of MindWise’s fifth anniversary celebrations and aims to encourage a public discussion about what mental health recovery means and help shape the public definition of recovery.  The Minister said: “I am delighted to be here at the official launch of Mindwise’s ‘You Can Take Control’ campaign as part of their fifth anniversary celebrations.  “This campaign promotes the important message, which needs to be highlighted at every opportunity, that people can regain a meaningful life, despite serious mental illness.”

The Minister urged all to open up a wider debate on mental health recovery to help change the common misconception that people with a mental health issue or illness cannot live a normal and fulfilling life i.e. they cannot ‘recover’.

He added: “The majority of people can and do recover from periods of mental illness and many others learn to live with their symptoms and lead full lives.
Fundamental to recovery is social integration, education, training and employment.

“Positive mental wellbeing helps a person to maintain good physical health, develop their potential, work productively, build strong relationships, develop a sense of self worth, and contribute to their community. It is fundamental to our quality of life.”

About MindWise’s You Can Take Control Campaign

The You Can Take Control Campaign aims to start a public discussion about recovery from mental health issues and illness.
Recovery is the ability to live well in the presence or absence of one’s mental illness
Stigma and fear ensures that many people’s direct experience of living with a mental health problem falls far short of this experience.

• Fewer than 4 in 10 employers would consider hiring a person with a mental health problem, compared with more than 6 in 10 who would hire a person with
  a physical disability.
• People with a mental health problem are twice as likely to lose their job.
• Over a third of the public think people with a mental health problem are likely to be violent, when in fact people with severe mental illnesses are more likely to be
   victims, rather than perpetrators.
• 62% of people living with mental illness experience stigma from peers, which often leads to friendship losses and social rejection

It is a commonly held belief that people with a mental health issue or illness cannot live a “normal and fulfilling life”; they cannot ‘recover’.
Such misconceptions prevent people from seeking out the support they require.
MindWise want to share the belief that they can take control; encouraging them to find the support they need to lead fulfilling lives where their dreams and
aspirations are supported.

Encourage

We want those who have found success to share their experiences, both good and bad; about how they have managed to live well in the presence or absence
of their mental illness. MindWise wants to encourage those who have worked hard to manage and take control of their condition to ‘come out’ about their mental
health and celebrate their taking control of their lives.
We are asking people in NI, and across the world, to talk openly about how they took control of their own mental health and wellbeing, and to take the step that will give hope to others who are struggling with their mental health.

What do I need to do?

Film a short self-made video of 1-3 minutes on your smart phone telling us how you took control of a mental health issue or helped a friend, family or patient take control and manage their own mental health and wellbeing:
- A personal story of recovery through supported management of mental health and well being
- The experience of living with or supporting a love one or friend with their mental health
- Your experience as a health practitioner or support worker in supporting the recovery of others.

We want you to sign off your video with the statement ‘You Can Take Control’ as a positive reminder, and to encourage others to lend their voice to the campaign.  What is important is that your video is personal, honest and true.
We are also approaching celebrities and anyone who has an expressed interest in supporting people with mental health problems to achieve their life goals and anyone who will act as an ambassador for the campaign.

Instructions for submitting video to have uploaded to MindWise’s YouTube Channel 

Email info@mindwisenv.org  with your video that you would like to submit to the “You Can Take Control” campaign. 
Alternatively, you can upload the video yourself to the Take Control Dropbox folder via this link -

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u2gwditnth61ws6/GVYqPRtN92

Videos from the Dropbox account will be uploaded to MindWise’s YouTube Channel.

We are celebrating our fifth anniversary as a leading mental health charity in Northern Ireland on 1st April 2014.  MindWise, Northern Ireland’s
only membership based mental health charity, demerged from the national charity Rethink on 1 April 2009.

We currently deliver 35 key services, run by 110 professional staff and 108 volunteers.  With the backing of our 330 members we raise awareness,
and help more than 1000 people each day affected by mental health issues to tackle their problems.

We are celebrating with a series of events to celebrate our work; supporting and encouraging thousands of people across Northern Ireland who live with,
or are caring for, someone with mental illness.  Please come along to your local service to support and see the work being done in your community, everyone is welcome!

Help us celebrate our 5th Birthday in Banbridge on Thursday 27 March 2014 at Banbridge Resource Centre, 33 Rathfriland Street, Banbridge at 
11.00am-1.00pm.  This event will also mark as a closing ceremony of the Santander funded art project to the resource centre. 
More information can be found on our Facebook page here.

On Thursday 27 March 2014 10.30am-12.30pm, MindWise Downpatrick Resource Centre, 12a English Street are celebrating their 5th birthday
and will also celebrate the end of the Community Pharmacy Project.
Find more information on our Facebook page here.

On Friday 4 April 2014 at 11.30am-1.30pm.MindWise Housing Service at The Forge, Bridge Street, Kilkeel are celebrating MindWise's 5th birthday. 
More details are on our Facebook page here.

On Tuesday 8 April 2014, 11.00am-1.00pm, MindWise Lurgan Resource Centre, 132 Union Street, Lurgan are celebrating MindWise's 5th birthday.
This event will also acknowledge the generous donation from Ulster Carpets to the resource centre.  Details are on our Facebook page here.
 

MindWise Ballyclare Resource Centre, Rashee Road, Ballyclare are celebrating MindWise's 5th birthday at 10.30am-12.30pm on Wednesday 16 April 2014. 
Details are on our Facebook page here

Newry Resource Centre, Unit 3, Ballybot House, 28 Cornmarket, Newry, BT35 8BG are celebrating on Thurs 17 April 2014 from 11.00am-1.00pm.
Event details can be found on our Facebook page here

Portadown Resource Centre, 36 Carleton Street, Portadown, BT62 6EP are holding a Butterfly Brunch at 11.00am-1.00pm on Thurs 24 April 2014.

Belfast Resource Centre, 3rd Floor, Fisherwick Building, Upper Queen Street, Belfast are celebrating on Monday 28th April 2014 11.00am-2.00pm.