Mental health charity in drive for volunteers (From Gazette & Herald)

Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind in drive for volunteers

9:51am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News By Karen Darley

A RYEDALE charity is appealing for more volunteers to help support people with mental health problems in the community.

The appeal follows World Mental Health Day, which was held last week, and this year focused on depression.

According to the World Health Organisation, depressive disorders were ranked as the third leading cause of the global burden of disease in 2004 and will move into first place by 2030.

The aim of 2012 World Mental Health Day was to encourage society to address depression as a widespread illness which affects individuals, their families and peers, and to spread the message that recovery is possible and achievable.

Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind is the local branch of the leading mental health charity for England and Wales which works to promote a better understanding of mental health and campaigns to create a society which promotes and protects good mental health for all.

Corinne Clancy signed up to volunteer for the group while receiving treatment for bipolar disorder and depression from the Ryedale Community Mental Health Team.

Corinne, who had been out of work for some time due to mental ill-health, said: “Volunteering with SWR Mind felt like a step back into the ‘real world’ for me. It gave me the chance to update my skills and experience and to regain some of the confidence I had lost while out of work.”

Corinne has now re-entered employment as an administrator.

Fellow volunteer Paul Radcliffe lives in Helmsley and has a degenerative lung condition which caused him to stop work.

He said: “Through my voluntary work for SWR Mind, I have been given training and awareness, and have developed a more contemplative approach to most things.

“SWR Mind gives me the flexibility to volunteer on the days that I am physically able.”

SWR Mind needs to recruit more volunteers, particularly in Ryedale, to continue to support people with mental health problems.

Numerous volunteering opportunities are available, short, medium and long-term and at the moment there are specific opportunities available for volunteers interested in gardening, music and events co-ordinating.

For further information contact Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind, PO Box 304, Scarborough YO11 3YJ, phone 01723 588008 or email info@swrmind