The Government has committed to providing increased and recurring funding for an innovative new initiative for adults with ADHD.
The Understanding and Managing ADHD in Adults Programme (UMAAP) is a six-week workshop that combines psycho education on adult ADHD with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Since beginning as a pilot project in 2022 it has proved popular with users, with positive word-of-mouth leading to a rapid uptake of places. The initiative is run by ADHD Ireland in collaboration with the UCD School of Psychology and the HSE National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults.
“The results of the UMAAP initiative have been astounding, not only does the research back this up, hundreds of adults with ADHD have told me about the profound positive impact this has made in their lives,” said ADHD Ireland CEO Ken Kilbride. “It shows how a partnership between the charity sector, academia and the health sector can make lives better for people.”
One user, Ronan, described the programme as life changing. “UMAAP has helped me to be more compassionate towards myself and to be less judgmental and critical about my past and some of my inherent traits,” he said.