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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Belfast restaurant owner putting mental health on the menu

A Belfast restaurant owner has set out her commitment to put good mental health on the menu over six weeks.

On Sunday, nine charities will be present at an event aiming to connect those struggling with those who can help.

Staff members at "A Peculiar Tea" in South Belfast are also taking part in an eight-hour cycle at the front of the restaurant to raise money for the charities.

Read more: Co Tyrone man behind the Belfast Stammer Support group giving a voice to young people

The event will run from 12-2pm at the restaurant with the Lighthouse Belfast, Suicide Awareness and Support Group, Extern, Inspire Wellbeing, Cruse NI, Star NI, Action Mental Health, Positive Life and Eating Disorders Association NI charities in attendance.

For owner Gemma Austin, standing by and doing nothing was never an option, especially given her own life experiences.

"We are a themed restaurant and change the theme regularly. We decided to do a 'Mind Your Mood, With Food' theme, focusing on mental health and positive wellbeing," she said.

"Over the 6 weeks we are working closely with Lighthouse, SASG and Extern.

"They have redecorated the restaurant with their service users artwork and provided information packs for all our guests.

Having previously been on Great British Menu the restaurant still gets quite a bit of media attention and poor mental health is a massive part of my journey.

"Six years ago I was house bound with anxiety and depression. Now I own a restaurant.

"It's important that people know that the journey goes on and that things will always get better."

Gemma is hopeful that just introducing people to vital services in a less formal setting might help people reach out.

"The NHS is not fit for purpose with the volume of people who require mental health treatments," she said.

"These charities are free, local services that can really help people in need.

"We have the highest suicide rate in the UK and things don't seem to be getting much better after speaking to local charities.

"People (particularly men) need to start talking and by highlighting some of these incredible local charities, we hope we can lead even one person in the right direction."

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