Resources
Clinical Director Blog
In this monthly blog series, our Clinical Director Dr Susan Brannick, explores and summarises the latest in mental health developments and research. Check back at the end of every month for an updated blog.
Dr Brannick has been working in mental health services since 2007, both in the UK and more recently in general hospital in Ireland. Her areas of specialisms include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and Compassion based approaches as well as service delivery and innovation.
You can read all of our blogs and news below.
Galway In-Person Free Event
This Oct 19th from 7.30pm get your free ticket to join Aware in conversation on ‘Resilience and Mental Health’ with mental health advocate Jonathan Kemp, alongside Galway local Aware volunteer Jean O’Leary.
What is Lived Experience?
This World Mental Health Day the theme is ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’ – but what is lived experience? And how is it applied in Aware Services and Supports?
What is depression and how do I recognise it?
Depression is a common mood condition and any one of us, irrespective of age, gender or background can be affected. Learn the symptoms and signs Aware use to recognise it, using the FESTIVAL acronym.
Annual Aware national mental health survey reveals insights from the Irish public
Aware today announced the findings from its national survey looking at the public’s experience and perception of depression and anxiety.
Expressing Life with Bipolar Through the Arts: Tides Within
Bernadette shares about her new creative path – expressing her experience of bipolar through the arts. Hear about what she learned.
Blackwater Odd Socks – Fundraiser Spotlight
Learn more about how the local fundraising team in the Blackwater community held their Odd Socks Fundraiser for Aware; We wanted people to know that it is safe to speak up, that asking for help is a sign of strength, and that support is always available.
Jonathan’s Finding Peace of Mind Walking Challenge
This September Jonathan Kemp, begins the Irish leg of an incredible 10-month ‘Finding Peace of Mind Walk’ across Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland sparking open conversations about mental health along the way and raising money for Aware, alongside three other mental health charities SAMH (Scotland), Mind (England & Wales), and Aware NI (Northern Ireland).
What does your spending say about your mental health?
Researchers Mark Matthews and Oluwadara Adedeji from the UCD Mood and Money Lab discuss their findings from recent research the financial behaviours of participants living with bipolar.
Join our team – Research and Evaluation Officer at Aware
Seeking a motivated and highly capable part time Research & Evaluation Officer to support the delivery of Aware’s research, audit, and evaluation activities across counselling, psychoeducation, and support services.
Approaches for Navigating Bipolar
Ahead of World Bipolar Day, this blog explores stigma as one of the most common and challenging social issues that affects people living with bipolar disorder.
Liam’s Journey to Diagnosis
Like many people who receive a later bipolar diagnosis, it took years for Liam before the pattern of mood shifts began to make sense. Read more from Liam’s experience of living with bipolar II as part of our World Bipolar Day Blog series.
Arlene’s Journey to Diagnosis
Having difficulty with her mental health from teens onwards, Arlene asked for help from a range of sources; before her bipolar diagnosis. Read more from Arlene’s experience of living with bipolar as part of our World Bipolar Day Blog series.
The Past in the Present: 40 Years of Aware and Mental Health in Ireland
As Aware marks 40 years of supporting people with depression, bipolar, and anxiety, I believe this idea of the past in the present also applies collectively in 2025.
National survey on attitudes to mental health, as Aware marks 40 years
Survey shows growing understanding of mental health, but cost and waiting times continue to block access to support.
Patient and Public Involvement
We see PPI as a central pillar of research into contemporary understandings in mental health. Find out more about getting involved.
Research Collaborations with Aware
We collaborate on research in depression, bipolar and anxiety with academic partners, clinical services and fellow voluntary organisations.
Connecting for Life Policy Consultation
Aware welcomes this public consultation on Ireland’s next suicide reduction policy. Aware has supported people living with depression, bipolar and related mood conditions for 40
ChatGPT will see you now?
ChatGPT and AI more generally is being used more and more in mental healthcare, primarily in detection of mental health difficulties and more so in assisting in psychotherapy.
My journey to a bipolar disorder diagnosis
Once diagnosed, as awful as it sounds, it was a relief as now I could work with something and focus on understanding it and how to manage it.
When the darkness came to call
This poem is by Siedbh Lonergan about her experience with depression and anxiety
The Gift of Presence: Reflections on Mindfulness, Connection, and the Christmas season
When we are present with ourselves, in our own bodies, in our own minds, we can begin to recognise ourselves.
Depression: Stigma and Getting Help
Depression is often misunderstood, and some studies report that only half of people living with depression seek professional help for it.
Trauma and Mental Health
Our Clinical Director, Dr Susan Brannick, explores trauma’s impact on mental health, particularly within Irish society.