Bealach Nua which in English means New Way, is an innovative family peer support service for families/friends of people with mental health difficulties and is currently expanding its offering in Mayo.
In operation since 2015 and originally funded by Genio, it is now funded by the Service Reform Fund and co-managed by Mental Health Ireland and Mayo Mental Health Services, Community Healthcare West.
The idea was developed in 2014 by Veronica Burke, Senior Social Worker and Catherine Walsh, Principal Social Worker after a trialogue master class facilitated by Grainne Fadden highlighted the need for a family peer support service in Mayo Mental Health. It was named with the intention of signifying a change in how Recovery in Mental Health is viewed and managed in a new way.
The service offers individualised recovery and person-centred support, provides family members and carers of adults with a mental health diagnosis ongoing emotional support and directs them towards community supports that may help families cope positively with the challenges they face.
The service also concentrates on social support, meaning it gives family members opportunities to meet up, build an informal network of support and share experiences with each other.
It is designed to increase awareness of the challenges families face when a loved one has a mental health difficulty and aims to build resources for family members, so that they themselves can go on and support others or get involved in organisational change, if they so wish.
Two Family Peer Supporters who availed of support, are now employed by the service itself and Bealach Nua has been extended to the greater Community Healthcare West area covering Roscommon and Galway.
For the past five years Bealach Nua has worked with almost 400 families in Mayo. Its longest serving family peer supporter, Maria McGoldrick, among others, has been involved in successfully supporting families from the beginning. Maria has recently moved into a new role as area lead for mental health engagement and recovery and stated: "Working as a Family Peer Supporter with Bealach Nua over the past five years has been an absolute privilege and honour. There is no better medicine than having a cup of tea with someone who has had similar life experiences and teasing out the best path forward together, without fear of judgement or hidden agendas.
"The natural therapeutic relationship that peer support provides and that I have experienced over the last five years, has greatly improved my recovery journey and I hope the recovery journeys of the families I have supported in the county. Family members of people with mental ill health tend to focus on their family members needs and are slow in getting support for themselves. When family members are supported and encouraged to focus on their own self-care, their family member with mental health difficulties also benefit."
Maria continued: "One of the family members recalled feelings of despair and loneliness, found life very tough trying to look after everyone else and had no time to focus on herself. After spending time with a family peer, the same family member now says: 'I am far better able to manage life while still being able to focus on my own needs and the needs of my family, I am enjoying life for the first time in years'.
"As the role expands, Bealach Nua is delighted to welcome four new family peer supporters who are currently providing this support service throughout of Mayo. All our peers bring with them an abundance of experience which we hope will see the service evolve and grow."
If you would like more information please contact (086 ) 0450835 or (087 ) 9749288.
