Mental Health Champion For NI Visits The WELL-Bean (Crisis) Café to Support Mental Health Initiatives in Newry

PIPS Hope and Support is proud to announce that Professor Siobhan O'Neill, Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, an expert in mental health and well-being, recently visited The WELL-Bean (Crisis) Cafe in Newry to show her support and to receive an update on the crucial work being carried out through this vital community resource.

The WELL Bean (Crisis) Café serves as an adult mental health support service closely linked to Daisyhill Hospital Emergency Department. The café provides a safe and welcoming space for individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The cafe offers a listening ear, peer support, and access to resources for those in need.

Visitors to the WELL Bean Café over the past year have benefitted from a range of support services, including counselling, skill-building, mindfulness sessions, emotional support, journalism, poetry, and social activities. Qualified counsellors and trained volunteers are available on-site to provide professional counselling, practical advice, and guidance on accessing necessary services.

The establishment of the WELL Bean Café is the result of a collaborative effort between the Southern Trust, Primary Mental Health, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), PSNI, Probation Board, and the GP Federation. Located on River Street in Newry, the café is open on Friday and Monday evenings from 5 pm to 10 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 7 pm. It can be accessed through drop-ins, referrals from healthcare professionals, and other voluntary organizations.

Professor O'Neill met with senior managers from PIPS Hope & Support, as well as strategic partners such as Richard Gardener (SHSCT Integrated Liaison Team), Liz McGrath (SHSCT Quality Improvement Manager), and Christopher Doherty (Clinical Lead, Urgent Care - NIAS), to discuss the support and services offered by the WELL Bean (Crisis) Café in the Southern Trust area.

Professor Siobhan O’Neill was impressed by the dedication and compassion of the staff and volunteers at The WELL-Bean (Crisis) Cafe. She emphasized the importance of community-based initiatives like this in providing essential support for those struggling with their mental health.  “It was an honour to visit the WELL-Bean Café and hear about the vital work that they do to support people in suicidal crisis. This joined up model of care is an example of best-practice in collaboration across the Community and Statutory sectors, delivering high quality interventions to make a real differences to people’s lives.”

Speaking after the meeting, Seamus McCabe, CEO of PIPS Hope & Support, expressed gratitude to Professor Siobhan O'Neill for her visit to the WELL Bean Crisis Café. He emphasized the importance of her support and interest in learning more about the project's delivery today.

“The WELL-Bean Cafe is a unique out-of-hours professional crisis service designed for adults experiencing mental or emotional distress. This service is available to adults seeking help with mental health concerns. The range of services offered at the cafe provides invaluable support to individuals in need during weekends and evenings. Our dedicated team of professionals is well-trained and committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those who seek help.

I encourage anyone facing mental or emotional challenges to reach out to the WELL Bean (Crisis) Café and take advantage of the resources available. It was a pleasure meeting with Professor O'Neill and discussing the important work at the cafe.”