Are you over 50 and struggling with mental health issues?
Being over 50 can sometimes bring unexpected stress, family pressures, bereavements and financial worries, causing us to feel unhappy, unmotivated and unwell physically and mentally – at a time when our body and mind just wants a calmer life!
Some older age groups have a tendency to ignore mental health problems and tend to think more about good physical health rather than good mental health, so are far less likely to seek help with stress or depression. Both are equally important, and mental health issues can be treated, just like any other illness.
The causes of stress and depression in the over 50s can be many and varied. We have a tendency to blame ourselves which in turn can add to the negative thoughts and feelings. Causes can include:
Painful events like the passing of a friend or loved one. Men are more likely than women to try to supress feelings of anxiety or depression and are less likely to talk about how they feel and how these feelings are affecting their lives
Financial pressures can have a major, negative impact on positive mental health
A previous history of stress, anxiety or depression
Physical illnesses – while feeling anxious or depressed about illness or recovery is understandable, it doesn’t mean it can’t be treated
Loneliness – Impact’s courses are designed with peer support in mind
Employment problems
Retirement – is a major change in someone’s life and can be difficult to adjust to that change
As with the causes, the symptoms too, can be many and varied and can include:
Tireness and/or lack of energy
Changes in appetite
Weight changes
Lack of libido
Irritability
Anxiety, worry or panic attacks
Feelings of self-blame
Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
Low self-esteem
Feeling tearful
Continual sadness and low mood
Feeling guilt-ridden
Indecisiveness
Lack of enthusiasm even for the things you usually love doing
Social exclusion and avoiding contact with others
If you are 50 or over and struggling with worry, anxiety, stress or depression, attending an Impact YOU Programme may just be the opportunity, you need to get back in control of your life and your mind!
This programme will help you to help yourself manage pressures such as stress/anxiety, isolation, unemployment, relationship difficulties, bereavements, employment issues and unhealthy addictions using peer-led discussions to uncover and build confidence, plan for structure in your life and teach empowering decision-making techniques.
An enjoyable and friendly, informative 4 days delivered over 4 weeks by facilitators sharing a wealth of lived experience, and who know what it’s like to be over 50!
Let’s make being over 50 something to celebrate with renewed hope, new learning and new goals for a more enriched and healthier life.
How To Apply
We understand that it can be daunting to call and talk to someone, or to complete an enrolment form, that’s why we have created a variety of ways in which you can enrol yourself or refer someone else onto an OVER 50s YOU Programme in your area.
Request A Call Back
Drop us a line, and we’ll call you right back …
Find A Local Sign-Up or Pop-In
We arrange relaxed and informal sign-up sessions and pop-ins throughout Central Bedfordshire on a regular basis.
Sharing personal stories and setting the foundations for the programme.
Empowerment and inspiration
Understanding empowerment through decision making
Mind management
Choice & control
Identifying areas for potential change using inspirations & peer support
Day 2
Week 2
The Cycle of Change, using our strengths to identify and plan for empowering changes to improve health & well-being and effective management of symptoms.
Recovery, what it means to pro-actively drive a recovery journey and take responsibility through building and developing a recovery tool-box and taking back control.
Day 3
Week 3
Total Well-being, recognising contributing factors that may affect health & well-being, socially, professionally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.
The Journey, using a chosen model of recovery (no one size fits all) start planning, choosing goals, identifying milestones and planning for change using all of the skills from the programme.
Day 4
Week 4
Our final day brings all the learning together through an empowering group re-capping session and with a surprising but great activity!
We finally finish the session by sharing a wealth of information, contact details and suggestions for your continuous wellbeing and future development by signing up to the Impact YOUR Recovery Pathways or venturing on to pastures new!
Take a look at what some of our previous learners have said about the YOU Programme!
“Thank you so much, I have loved every minute!”
February 2018Bedford
“The course was delivered in a very easy to understand manner, helpful, informative. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly, unpressurised. Worthwhile.”
February 2018Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire
“The past is in your head. The future is in your hands.”
February 2018Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Tremendously empowering!… has given me the strength to make change and decisions to move my life forward.”
January 2018Bedford
“Great course, facilitators were fantastic.”
November 2017Biggleswade, Central Bedfordshire
“I have really enjoyed this course… it has given me hope for the future… thank you so much.”
November 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“People have been very nice and i have made some new friends.”
November 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Found the course very interesting.”
November 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“It is the most helpful course I have ever done.”
September 2017Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire
“I found the course very friendly and I am glad I decided to do it.”
September 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Empowering & educating others to make important changes in their lives to succeed.”
September 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“After doing this course I feel more in control and know what I need to do to control my mental health.”
September 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I would recommend this course to anyone involved with mental health. Be it service user or professional… Good information and delivered with a non-school feel. Well done Impact, keep it up!”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“The programme needed to be longer! Relaxing and had a great laugh!”
June 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Felt unwell this morning. Feeling better now!”
June 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Feel empowered, on a journey and supported. I realise that not all change is negative and fear should not stop me. Empathic and understanding. I feel accepted for who I am – I am a person not a diagnosis!”
June 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“It was really interesting to learn that there are others in the same boat and that I am not alone. Great course!”
July 2015Stotfold, Central Bedfordshire
“The course and staff are great but the programme needs to be longer!”
July 2015Stotfold, Central Bedfordshire
“I really enjoyed the course.”
July 2015Stotfold, Central Bedfordshire
“A very enjoyable couple of days, please continue providing such excellent support.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I owe a big thank you to all, I was not in a good place but have learnt such a lot. I recommend that this course should be used as recovery.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I felt very strong after the first session, couldn’t explain why but so glad I came back to enable me to accept the opportunity to help myself.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Thank you for the help, I started feeling much better than I did and want to move on – a great service for the people who need it.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“It’s been great to meet like-minded people. The paperwork is few and sufficiently direct so it’s great not to have to try and read too much information. The course staff mingle in with participants, so there’s no superiority, unlike the professional, patient situation!”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Fantastic course, a breath of fresh air. I really benefitted and I strongly believe I have acquired a set of tools and knowledge that will benefit me in the short and long-term.”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Really well presented, respectful and understanding. Thanks so much.”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I found the programme really interesting, informative and inspiring!”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Impact really havemade a positive impact on my self-view and my hopes and expectations for a positive future, based on change and planned development. Programme needs to be longer.”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Thank you so much, I have loved every minute!”
February 2018Bedford
“The course was delivered in a very easy to understand manner, helpful, informative. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly, unpressurised. Worthwhile.”
February 2018Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire
“The past is in your head. The future is in your hands.”
February 2018Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Tremendously empowering!… has given me the strength to make change and decisions to move my life forward.”
January 2018Bedford
“Great course, facilitators were fantastic.”
November 2017Biggleswade, Central Bedfordshire
“I have really enjoyed this course… it has given me hope for the future… thank you so much.”
November 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“People have been very nice and i have made some new friends.”
November 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Found the course very interesting.”
November 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“It is the most helpful course I have ever done.”
September 2017Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire
“I found the course very friendly and I am glad I decided to do it.”
September 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Empowering & educating others to make important changes in their lives to succeed.”
September 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“After doing this course I feel more in control and know what I need to do to control my mental health.”
September 2017Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I would recommend this course to anyone involved with mental health. Be it service user or professional… Good information and delivered with a non-school feel. Well done Impact, keep it up!”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“The programme needed to be longer! Relaxing and had a great laugh!”
June 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Felt unwell this morning. Feeling better now!”
June 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Feel empowered, on a journey and supported. I realise that not all change is negative and fear should not stop me. Empathic and understanding. I feel accepted for who I am – I am a person not a diagnosis!”
June 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“It was really interesting to learn that there are others in the same boat and that I am not alone. Great course!”
July 2015Stotfold, Central Bedfordshire
“The course and staff are great but the programme needs to be longer!”
July 2015Stotfold, Central Bedfordshire
“I really enjoyed the course.”
July 2015Stotfold, Central Bedfordshire
“A very enjoyable couple of days, please continue providing such excellent support.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I owe a big thank you to all, I was not in a good place but have learnt such a lot. I recommend that this course should be used as recovery.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I felt very strong after the first session, couldn’t explain why but so glad I came back to enable me to accept the opportunity to help myself.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Thank you for the help, I started feeling much better than I did and want to move on – a great service for the people who need it.”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“It’s been great to meet like-minded people. The paperwork is few and sufficiently direct so it’s great not to have to try and read too much information. The course staff mingle in with participants, so there’s no superiority, unlike the professional, patient situation!”
July 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Fantastic course, a breath of fresh air. I really benefitted and I strongly believe I have acquired a set of tools and knowledge that will benefit me in the short and long-term.”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Really well presented, respectful and understanding. Thanks so much.”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“I found the programme really interesting, informative and inspiring!”
August 2015Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
“Impact really havemade a positive impact on my self-view and my hopes and expectations for a positive future, based on change and planned development. Programme needs to be longer.”
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Hi Richard,
Feel free to pitch up to the pop-in – on the 28th. No need to register.
Alternatively, if for any reason you can’t make the pop-in sign up, you can also register online https://www.impactmh.org.uk/you-programme-application-form/
Regards
I would like to attend the pop in on 28 Aug with a view to joining the course on 4th September