Suicide Awareness Day 2020

 

Gaisce

Sligo CTC is proud to be involved with Gaisce over the last number of years.  Gaisce – The President’s Award is a self-development programme that encourages you to find your passion, get active and make a difference in your community! By taking part in Gaisce, you will take on exciting personal, physical and community challenges and develop new skills and new friendships.   

In our health promoting centre, Gaisce is headed up by our President Award Leaders Aideen and Steve. Trainees have created many fond memories and achieved bronze awards over the years. Today we are going to take a trip back and look at some of the treasured photographs as reminders of all the beautiful scenic places we visited and skills we learned over the years.  

The Gaisce group had the privilege of going on a hike to the Carrowkeel Passage Tombs, a very historical site that was very interesting to visit and had a great view from which we could see Lough Arrow.  We cycled all the way to the Gyreum Ecolodge, the facilities were fantastic and provided a unique experience that all the trainees enjoyed.

We climbed Truskmore, cycled, stayed in Benwisken Youth Hostel and lit a campfire.  We climbed Dartry Mountains and took in spectacular views of Sligo town and its surrounding areas including the Atlantic coastline, Glencar Lake and Glenif Horseshoe.  The trainees had to plan, train for and complete these outdoor Adventure Journeys as part of a team.  This was a unique, enjoyable and memorable experience, as well as an opportunity to experience self-sufficiency.

Of course not forgetting how some of the Gaisce trainees under the Community Involvement Activity, helped with building and developing our own Garden Project.  They made raised beds and helped convert the ex smoking shed into a fabulous green house under the guidance of Danny.  We've eaten so much of the organic produce over the years!!

As with many of the other CTC trainees, they have planted and weeded the front flower bed to give us a beautiful display when coming into train and work! Trainees also helped with the health promotion initiatives in the centre and last year the sports group did the 'Litter Pick' while out on their morning jog.  Well done to everyone involved.  You can continue to complete ‘Gaisce at home’ click here for more info:  https://www.gaisce.ie/

Compiled by Aideen and Steve

9 ways to look after your mental health

Bearing in mind, the state of your mental health isn’t fixed, it can be good or it can be poor, it’s important to know ways to look after it.

Here are some things anyone can try to help mind their mental health.

Exercise

There are many advantages to exercising. It helps increase energy levels, use up excess energy and can improve sleep patterns and fitness.  It also helps to manage stress and anger and can boost your confidence. All positive for your mental health.

Nutrition

Having a balanced diet can help with energy levels, weight control and self-esteem.

It’s easy to fall into bad habits, but is important to try and eat well and cut out junk food.

Relax

It’s very easy to overlook making time for yourself with the hectic pace of life we all lead.

It’s essential for your mental health that you find ways to take time out and relax. We all have different things we find relaxing; what we do isn’t as important as actually doing it.

Sleep

Sleep is crucial to our physical and mental health. It re-energises us, helps our bodies to heal and keeps our memory working properly.  There are many things you can do to improve your quality of sleep including exercise, avoiding stimulants and implementing a daily routine or bed-time.

Be mindful

Mindfulness is about learning to focus your attention on the present moment. Not worrying unduly about past or future problems can be hugely beneficial to your physical and mental health.

It can steady the breath, heart-rate, and improve the immune system and can help to deal with anxiety and depression.

Self-talk

Training the inner-voice in our head can be difficult, but worth-while. It’s important to learn not to talk to yourself in a negative or destructive way, such as thinking in black and white or constantly comparing yourself to others.

Set goals

Setting realistic goals, prioritising what’s important, and balancing our time can help in the management of our mental health. It gives us perspective on things and enables us to deal with problems more effectively.

Work on your self-esteem

Improving our self-esteem might seem like a constant battle, but it’s necessary in order to manage our mental health.  Challenging negative thinking, accepting yourself and not comparing yourself to others will help to develop your self-confidence.

Talk

Sometimes sharing things with friends and family can help you through and tough time, by helping you get some perspective. For more info go to Turn 2 Me

Taken from https://ie.reachout.com/ 

For more info on "How teenagers can protect their mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19)


Click on Unicef link here:  Unicef

Step into Spring

We started our "Step into Spring" health promoting initiative yesterday.  Staff and trainees got the opportunity to walk, job or run around the track in Cleveragh.  This will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday's.  Well done to everyone that took part and keep it up!

Girls Active - Basketball

The hairdressing group were playing basketball yesterday in the Sports Complex as part of Girls Active.

Mental Health Awareness

Thanks to Rachel Reilly for giving an informative talk today to staff and trainees on metal health awareness.
For more info go to www.mentalhealthireland.ie 

Spotlight on Catering Course

Today we will take a look at that catering course. This course is aimed at learners who want a career in the catering industry. Along with achieving QQI accreditation in modules such as Short Order Cooking and Nutrition, Handling Food Hygienically and Healthy  Options learners will also have the opportunity to develop their skills in our training kitchen. As learners progress in training they complete a work placement within the local hospitality sector.

Some of the delicious food prepared by trainees

  

Carrowkeel Hiking Trip

Yesterday there was hiking trip up to Carrowkeel where over 25 trainees and some tutors took part. We visited the passage tombs that pre-date the Egyptian pyramids they were built in the 4th millennium BC and there were magnificent views of the surrounding area .

Stretching and Relaxation

Thanks to Steve for facilitating the relaxation and stretching session in the gym this morning to help us switch off and relax for World Mental Health Day

An Gaisce - Adventure Journey 2018

As part of the An Gaisce Bronze award the trainees went on an adventure trip which involved an overnight stay in the Gyreum Ecolodge, the facilities were fantastic and provided a unique experience that all the trainees enjoyed. Visit their website here http://www.gyreum.com/ .

The trip had both a hike and cycle aspect and even involved a cycle and short hike the next morning.

The hike brought us to the Carrowkeel Passage Tombs a very historical site that was very interesting to visit and had a great view from which we could see Lough Arrow. After that visit we then cycled all the way to the Gyreum Ecolodge.

We would like to thank William and Barry from North West Adventure Tours visit their website here http://northwestadventuretours.ie/  and both of our Gaisce pals Aideen and Steven for organising the trip, it was an overall great experience that all trainees would highly recommend.

Photography Walk

Computer trainees went for a walk today and captured some of the local scenery, it was a pleasant day and the perfect weather for some photos. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful area around our centre.   

 

Men's Health Week - Strength and Conditioning Class

Some of the lads took part in gymnastics with Kate today at the Sports Complex.  This was something different and good fun!

Men's Health Week - Keeping Active

• Did you know if are regularly active, you are reducing your risk of developing 35 chronic diseases.
• Physical activity can add years to your life
• Physical activity improves quality of your life
• Helps you maintain a healthy weight
• Helps you manages stress better
• Improves your quality of sleep
• Builds muscle tone
• Boost your self-esteem
• Makes you feel great!
• If you want to find out more please visit  www.getirelandactive.ie

Men's Health Week - Information Stand

Men's Health Week Information Stand in the hallway - lots of physical, mental, sexual health etc information available

National Bike Week - Lunch Time Cycle

National Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of all that's great about bikes and cycling. Local authorities around the country organize events in relation to cycling.

As part of national Bike Week some trainees took part in a lunch time cycle organised by Sligo Sport And Recreation Partnership. The route started at the riverside hotel and went all the way up the back avenue around the Sligo regional track, there was refreshments after in the Riverside Hotel. The trainees enjoyed the experience.

Trainees pictured above with Aideen after the cycle

Darkness into Light Walk

Photos taken by Kelly at the Darkness into Light Walk, Banada. Well done to all who participated from the centre in this years walk for Pieta House.

Sports & Recreation - Spinning Session

As part of the Sports and Recreation course trainees are given an opportunity to avail of some of the many local leisure facilities. Last week trainees completed a spinning session in ROM gym.   

Sports trainees took part in a spinning session 

Sports & Recreation - Healthy Lifestyle Benefits

• Did you know if you are regularly active, you are reducing your risk of developing 35 chronic diseases.
• Physical activity can add years to your life.
• Physical activity improves quality of your life.
• Helps you maintain a healthy weight.
• Helps you manage stress better.
• Improves your quality of sleep.
• Builds muscle tone.
• Boost your self-esteem.
• Makes you feel great!
• For more information check out getirelandactive.ie

Steve and the trainees from the sports course out for a run on the track today!

Girls & Lads Active

This week the lads played some basketball with Chris and the girls had a good session of Zumba with Barbara at Sligo Sports Complex.

Aideen and Janell brought a group of girls today to the annual Girls Active festival in the Knocknarea area, Sligo IT.  Enjoy girls!

Lads Active - Gym

Last Wednesday the lads went to the sports complex for a gym session. They enjoyed it and got some good exercise, thanks to Wesley for assisting the trainees in their work out.