Young Men's Support Project - Northern Trust Area

This project is funded by the Public Health Agency in the Northern Area, through Promoting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and managed by the NEELB Youth Service. The professional youth workers are committed to working with the young men who engage on a voluntary basis. Priority is given to those deemed at ‘risk’ and who feel they are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Work with these target groups involves a process of assessment of needs and the application of effective and appropriate youth work interventions to address these needs. The youth work delivery is based on the Central Theme and Core Principles illustrated in the Youth Service Model for Effective Practice and include the following: • Personal and Social Development • Participation • Equity, Diversity and Interdependence • A Shared Future • Inclusion Within the ‘Protect Life – A Shared Vision – Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2006 -2011’ is a priority target to enhance the coping skills of young males and encourage them to seek help as an alternative to taking their own lives and to develop and implement appropriate personal development programmes for young males. Through joint working with those involved within the Promoting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Partnership in the Northern Locality, the workers seek to establish effective working relationships with statutory, voluntary/community organizations working with young men. The core methodology is group work using youth work principles, however there are instances where individual support or referral onwards to other services are appropriate. All the work is recorded, monitored and evaluated with evidence of outcomes achieved highlighted. WHAT ARE THE YOUNG MEN GOING TO GET OUT OF IT? RESILIENCE PROGRAMMES • Increased Personal and Social Development. • Develop a sense of independence and self-worth. • Gain a sense of purpose and goals for the future. • Increased ability to understand and manage emotions and feelings. • Enhance problem solving skills. • Have a safe place to talk. • Help form and maintain respectful relationships with others. • Raised awareness of support services in your area. • Increased knowledge of mental health and self care. The objectives within this action are: • To ensure that targeted outreach programmes for young males, who may be at risk of suicide and self harm, are available in local communities and in all Health and Social Services Trusts. • To implement a targeted information and awareness campaign for young males, aimed at breaking down the current male culture of not discussing their problems openly. • To enhance the role of the community /voluntary sector concerning the provision of mentoring support for young people at risk of suicide and self harm. METHODOLOGY AND WORKING PARTNERSHIPS During 2009 the local Northern Area Promoting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention partnership (Public Health Agency) commissioned a scoping study to gather information in relation to emotional well-being work with young men in the Northern Area. That study identified a need for focused work within the locality to build resilience with vulnerable young men. The report recommended dedicated workers to deliver this work to ensure a focused and targeted approach. This resulting initiative focuses on building resilience and coping skills with young men aged 16–25 years old. Group work programmes lasting 8-10 weeks are being delivered focusing on the health and emotional needs of young men.