World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every year on 10 October, offers a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage important conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
The Office of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse understands that experiences of childhood abuse mean that many victims and survivors are living with trauma and its long-lasting impacts across many aspects of life.
On this day, we would like to remind victims and survivors of non-recent historical institutional childhood abuse that there is specialist support available if you are struggling with your mental health.
Specialist support can include counselling, complementary therapies, social support including social activities and befriending, personal development including education and training opportunities and records search and information recovery.
You can find more details in the ‘seeking support’ section of our website.
You can also get in touch with us on 028 9054 4985 to request a direct referral to Victims and Survivors Service (VSS), which has a service dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors of non-recent historical institutional abuse. VSS can also make sure victims and survivors who are living outside Northern Ireland have access to the support and services they need.