AWARE is the Depression Charity for Northern Ireland offering support and education for people living with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Established in 1996, we now have a network of peer-led support groups across the country, which are run by our trained volunteers. Support groups welcome people with depression and bipolar disorder as well as carers for people with the illness. AWARE delivers mental health and well-being programmes into communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces.

These programmes include our suite of Mood Matters programmes, Living Life to the Full, Mental Health First Aid and Mindfulness. AWARE’s programmes take a preventative approach to mental ill-health and teach attendees techniques to look after their own mental health and well-being.

AWARE has a fundraising department organising fundraising events in schools and communities throughout Northern Ireland. At AWARE, we believe that the people who use our services should have a say in how they are developed and delivered, so we employ people with experience of depression at every level in the organisation, including the Board of Trustees.

Our vision is of a future where people can talk about their mental health openly, access services appropriate to their needs and have the skills and knowledge to maintain positive mental health.