Many of us have to cope at some time in our lives with feelings of hopelessness and  despair. Problems such as anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, or a sudden loss of confidence, can sometimes seem overwhelming.

Pillar Kincardine exists "to provide and maintain within Aberdeenshire South a community-based resource for those who have experienced mental health problems or are coping with mental, social and/or emotional distress; and to develop within Aberdeenshire South a range of support facilities in this field that will meet individual needs in a flexible way while promoting maximum choice and self-determination".

Pillar is a place where people can obtain advice and support from professionally qualified staff on every aspect of living with - and recovering from - whatever mental health difficulties they face (or have at some time faced) in their lives.

But that is only part of the story. Research has again and again shown the importance of good social networks in helping people reach and maintain positive mental health. Pillar is also a place where people can meet other people who have been through many of the same experiences as themselves; where they can build networks of friends and contacts who can all support one another as they move onward along the road to recovery and wellbeing.

Each of these activities provides people with opportunities to talk and gain support and encouragement from one another and from our professional support workers; where people can gain and practise the social and emotional skills and confidence they need in order to overcome the difficulties they face, and build the sort of life they want for themselves and those around them in the future.

Moving on

Involvement with Pillar is not necessarily for life!

Pillar is primarily there to be used as a stepping-stone to help people to fit back in to the rhythms and activities of everyday life. The recovery process is about enabling and encouraging people who have experienced poor mental health to move on, to engage positively as full and equal citizens with the everyday life and activites of the wider communities of the area.

Pillar members will receive help and support to move on, both as individuals and in groups. Pillar maintains active links with other organisations, such as Community Education, to facilitate this process.

Moving on should be a positive choice and experience for Pillar members. The friendships that people form through Pillar can be maintained outside Pillar without any direct Pillar involvement.

Moving on is not a one-way process. Former members may return to Pillar membership if they need its services once more at another stage in their lives.

Want to know more? Have a look at our brief description of Pillar membership criteria and services.

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