Whats New - Aug 2010:

**A new 4 week WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) Training Course will be running within Kandahar House Centre starting in September 2010, this course is free to attend and open to anyone, call to book your place now **

**From Wednesday 4th August, 9.30am - 12pm within the centre we will have staff from the Brooksbank Money Advice Service coming along to give advice, support and help to people who are housing association tenants.  They can assist and help you with rent arrears, money problems, outstanding debts, any issues with benefits and they can also help you apply for benefits, so to make an appointment, telephone Kristina on 01382 805071 - This service is free and open to any housing association tenants or if you are not a housing association tenant, we can still get you advice and help, just give us a call**

Dundee Association for Mental Health is a voluntary organisation which promotes mental health, the understanding of mental ill health and the importance of promoting mental

well-being.

The Association tries where possible to provide facilities within the community for people suffering from or recovering from the effects of mental ill health and for their friends and relatives. The Association believes that an emphasis should be placed on the concept of recovery.

People do overcome their mental health difficulties and this fact needs to become more widely known.

The Association seeks to encourage co-operation among voluntary organisations which are concerned with matters relating to mental health. The Association actively participates in the strategic planning of mental health services, consultation about future development of services and user involvement, including patient advocacy in the City of Dundee.

Based at Kandahar House Centre since 1985 Dundee Association for Mental Health (DAMH) provides a range of services and information relating to all aspects of mental health and mental wellbeing.

Projects currently operating from the centre are outlined below:-     

DUNDEE MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUP

Offers day time activities for people living in the community who have or have had some form of mental health problem. The group encourages an informal and friendly atmosphere where members can feel able to relax and share their problems if necessary. Activities are on an individual or group – large or small – basis. Dedicated men’s and women’s discussion groups and corresponding social groups currently meet weekly. See the attached Weekly Programme which shows activites, dates for your diary and other events which are happening over the coming months at Kandahar House.

ORBIT APPROACH

Orbit Approach offers complementary therapies to participants who experience mild to moderate and severe and enduring mental health problems.

The first three complementary therapies are free, thereafter therapies are accessed through our Local Exchange Trading System (LETS) whereby clients exchange time, tasks performed and their skills for their free therapies, this may include going along to a computer class at your local community centre or maybe even attending a walking group.

What skills or things would you like to do in exchange for complementary therapies?

We also have an relaxed and informal information point and library which includes information and self help packs on various mental health issues, wellbeing and recovery.  We have information in regard to community based activities and classes within the Dundee area as well as information on various lifestyle options.  

There is also a lending library with many self help books that you can borrow and internet access.  We also signpost to local support groups and organisations.

To access the information point you can drop in to the centre, phone, e-mail or request information by post.

Further information is available under the Orbit Approach section at the top of the page.

TWO’S COMPANY BEFRIENDING SERVICE

As group activities may not be suitable for everyone, Two’s Company Befriending Service links trained and supported volunteers with people within the community who may have become isolated due to their illness. The friends share in social and leisure activities such as a coffee and a chat or a trip to the cinema.

4EVER FREENDS

What happens when you reach retirement age and the advancing years? The social networks you once had may no longer be available. Coping with mental health problems in later life may have an effect on your emotional/social life. A volunteer befriender may be able to help and support you.

AWARE

An innovative project which seeks to raise public awareness of mental health matters and to promote positive mental wellbeing. The project is educational and campaigns for better mental health. The project can offer sessional workshops/training for community groups and work teams.