We are delighted to launch this spring a new 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.

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.

This course is part of Arthritis Ireland's suite of services to help manage your conditions. It may be more beneficial to the individual if they have already completed the Arthritis Ireland Living Well with Arthritis six-week self-management programme. If you haven't done this, you can find details here.

There will be ten Behind the Pain courses delivered in 2021. 

Seven Behind the Pain courses start this spring, which are now fully booked.  There will be more courses in the autumn.  To register your expression of interest for further courses please book here: https://btp_eoi_aut21.eventbrite.ie  
Please note registering expression of interest does not guarantee a place on a course. 

Day	Time	Dates	Registration
Saturday	11am-1pm	24 April, 1 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 June (note: no session on 8 May)	Booked out
Monday	11am-1pm	26 April, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 14 June (note: no session on 3 May and 7 June)	Booked out
Tuesday	11am-1pm	27 April, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 June	Booked out
Wednesday	5pm-7pm	28 April, 5 May, 12 May, 19 May, 26 May, 2 June	Booked out
Friday	11am-1pm	30 April, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 June	Booked out
Tuesday	5pm-7pm	4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 June, 8 June	Booked out
Thursday	6pm-8pm	13 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 June, 10 June, 17 June	Booked out

 

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