Aware, the national organisation providing support and information around stress, anxiety, and depression is providing a weekly support group in Loughrea and the organisation is encouraging people in the Athlone, Ballinasloe, and surrounding areas who are dealing with these common issues to try this free support option. The group, which meets in the Abbey on Abbey Street, Loughrea every Tuesday at 8pm, provides an opportunity for people to share particular concerns and challenges, and explore options that might help.
Des Greene, Aware’s support group co-ordinator for the region, says that support groups can be a helpful way for people to learn how to manage particular stresses in their life: “We are still living in challenging economic times, and we know that mental health can be severely tested as a result of these challenges. Any one of us can experience stress, anxiety, or depression at any point in our life and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. The important thing is to get help. Aware support groups can and do make a real difference in many people’s lives and it is free.”
Aware support groups are free to attend and no referral is necessary. Anyone who is considering trying the group for the first time is encouraged to come along 10 minutes before it starts, and there is no need to book. The support groups are facilitated by two trained volunteer facilitators and the meetings are confidential within normal limits. All information on Aware support groups and the organisation’s other services, including a support line and support mail services, is available at www.aware.ie
