Each year, Aware support groups throughout the country receive 12,000 visits from people who are dealing with an experience of depression, bipolar or related mood disorders.
The organisation is encouraging people to take advantage of the free weekly support available locally in Athlone. Aware support groups can help to relieve some of the pressure and pain these experiences may bring, and can help people to find ways through the experience. The groups are free to attend and are open to people who have an experience of depression, bipolar or related mood disorders. There is also no need for a referral.
Dr Claire Hayes, clinical director of Aware, says that the groups can be a very helpful support to tap into: “The groups can be a source of insight, wisdom and encouragement. People who attend may be at different stages of their journey with depression or bipolar, and often the wisdom that they have learned through their experience can give another attendee a new perspective on their own situation.
“The groups are very much a place of acceptance and hope, and I would encourage anyone who is struggling through their own dark days to give themselves a chance by giving the Aware support group a chance. Yes, it can be hard to walk through the door for the first time, but remember that everyone else who is there has had to also walk through that door, so you really are not on your own.”
The Athlone group meets every Thursday at 8pm in St Kieran’s Community Centre, Tormey Villas. A short information video about Aware support groups is available at www.aware.ie along with more information on all of Aware’s services.
