About us

AWARE is the depression charity for Northern Ireland - and the only charity working exclusively for people with depression and bipolar disorder.

A Derry-born charity, we now have two offices; one in Derry/Londonderry and a second office in Belfast. AWARE has an established network of support groups across the country, which are run by our trained volunteers. Support groups welcome people with depression and bipolar disorder as well as carers for people with the illness. We also deliver Information Outreach sessions and attend community events to give more information about AWARE and our services.

AWARE delivers mental health and well-being programmes into communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. These programmes include our suite of Mood Matters programmes, Living Life to the Full, Mental Health First Aid and Mindfulness. Our programmes take a preventative approach to mental ill-health and teach attendees techniques to look after their own mental health and well-being.

AWARE has a fundraising department organising fundraising events in schools and communities throughout Northern Ireland.

At AWARE, we believe that the people who use our services should have a say in how they are developed and delivered, so we employ people with experience of depression at every level in the organisation, including the Board of Trustees.

We rely on our dedicated and caring volunteers who run our support groups. Many of our volunteers began as service users themselves and as such are an excellent asset to us and keep us informed on staying in touch with people's needs. Become an AWARE volunteer.