As part of our suite of services to help manage your condition, Arthritis Ireland have an online mental health programme called Behind the Pain. This six-week course will explore the emotional relationship and reactions to living with arthritis.

This course will be led by an accredited psychotherapist.  This course is open to anyone living with arthritis or related condition who has previously completed a 6 week Living Well with Arthritis course.  If you haven't done Living Well with Arthritis course before, you can find details here.

About the Course

We understand that arthritis is more than pain. It can have a huge impact on all aspects of your life and affect everything from your family and relationships to day-to-day life at college or work. You may be experiencing low mood, trouble relaxing, low energy or sleep disturbances. Ongoing physical symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue and disturbed sleep can cause distress which often lead to stress, anxiety and depression.

When arthritis, anxiety and depression coexist, a person’s ability to function in everyday life is often impaired.

Managing your mental health is an essential part of an arthritis treatment plan. We believe supporting the emotional aspects of this disease is just as important as the physical aspects.

The structure of this course allows you to connect with other people living with arthritis in a confidential forum to explore your thoughts and emotions under professional guidance. Discussion topics will include coping with an invisible illness, the grief cycle, dealing with fatigue and asking for help. In each session we will provide a range of self-care tools and strategies for taking care of your mental well-being.

Registration and Course Times

There will hopefully be more courses in 2022 (funding dependent).  To register your expression of interest for theses courses please book here: BTP_EOI_2022
Please note registering expression of interest does not guarantee a place on a course

Booking and registration is completely essential.  Please do not book if you have not completed a Living Well with Arthritis Course previously. 

Day	Time	Dates	Registration (Click link for bookings)
Men only course: Friday	TBC	Postponed - dates to be announced Queries pls email: [email protected]	TBC
Wednesday	5 p.m. to 7 p.m.	20th October - session zero (5-6 p.m.)  27th October, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November & 1st December	FULL
Thursday	6 p.m. to 8 p.m.	21st October - session zero (6-7 p.m.) 28th October, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November & 2nd, 9th  December	FULL
Thursday	11 a.m. to 1 p.m.	28th October - session zero (11 a.m. -12 p.m.) 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November & 2nd, 9th December	FULL

There will hopefully be more courses in 2022.  To register your expression of interest for theses courses please book here:BTP_EOI_2022
Please note registering expression of interest does not guarantee a place on a course. 

 Behind the Pain is kindly supported by The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Arthritis Ireland wishes to acknowledge the support of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and the Programme: Scheme to Support National Organisations 2016-2021.