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 part of Arthritis Ireland's suite of services to help manage your conditions and is open to anyone living with arthritis or related condition.  If you are newly diagnosed or if this is the beginning of your journey exploring your condition, we would highly recommend that you first complete the Arthritis Ireland Living Well with Arthritis 6-week programme or equivalent HSE programme.

Details are here: https://www.arthritisireland.ie/living-well-with-arthritis-and-related-conditions-self-management-programme

The Behind the Pain course delves into the lived emotional reality of living with Arthritis and related conditions. Further supports and introduction to skills such as self-management (as presented in the Living Well with Arthritis course) can therefore be hugely beneficial as a first foundational step, before going deeper into other aspects of living with your condition. If you would like to discuss this further, please get in touch at [email protected] 

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

Our Autumn/Winter Schedule for courses is currently being finalised and more information will be provided soon.

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.