'I was getting extreme panic attacks'

Niall Montgomery, a farmer, didn't realise he was having mental health problems until things came to a head on a weekend away.

For months the pressure had been building and he had been ignoring it.

So Niall sought help, a mix of counselling, talking to friends and family and he discovered a little time away from the farm helped.

Trainee GP and farmer Dr Rebecca Orr advises people to take time to check on those they care about.

Starting a conversation, she says, could turn someone around and perhaps even save a life.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by mental health issues you can find information about organisations that can help on the BBC Action Line website.

17 February 2021

The grandstand at a derelict Casement Park.

New twist in Casement tale as capacity slashed over funding issues

It is expected that Casement Park's capacity will now be much lower than the 34,000 previously planned.

Northern Ireland

Lyra McKee stands with her arms folded in front of a brightly painted wall. She is a young woman with short black hair, with a fringe over her forehead coming to rest on her glasses. She is smiling She is wearing a brown tweed jacket over a white a navy striped top.

Why was there no jury in the Lyra McKee murder trial?

The 29-year-old died after being shot as she stood close to police vehicles, watching disturbances in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019.

Northern Ireland

Noah Donohoe, a boy with dark hair, wearing a black blazer, with a white shirt and green, black and white tie.

Noah Donohoe inquest adjourned until later this year

The inquest has been examining the circumstances of Noah's death

Northern Ireland

a red test tube with an Mpox label on it

Over 20 mpox cases last month in NI

Only nine cases of mpox had been reported in Northern Ireland since 2023

Northern Ireland

A Civil Service banner at the 2025 Belfast Pride parade

Northern Ireland Civil Service not participating in Pride

There are more than 24,000 staff across the NICS, making it one of Northern Ireland's largest employers.

Northern Ireland

A red car with a sign on top which says 'NI Driving School' and an L sign

New rules for learner drivers coming in October

Northern Ireland is becoming the first part of the UK to introduce graduated driving licenses in a bid to reduce fatal road crashes involving young people.

Northern Ireland

a woman in a red shirt looks at the camera

Why you can't comment on the Donaldson trial

Why you can't comment on videos about the Sir Jeffrey Trial

Northern Ireland

Donaldson trial summarised in 60 seconds

A summary of Jeffrey Donaldson's landmark criminal trial

Northern Ireland

How the Donaldson story unfolded on Good Friday

How the Donaldson story broke on Good Friday

A look back at coverage following the news of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's arrest and resignation as DUP leader.

Northern Ireland

A woman and a man with their arms linked, seated and smiling at the camera

'We struggled to make friends until we started inviting strangers for dinner'

When Nidhi Pal, 38, and Vik Parashar, 46, moved from India to Belfast, they found, while people were warm and friendly, building lasting connections was difficult. So the couple came up with an unusual way to expand their circle - a dinner party made up of ten strangers.

Northern Ireland

What happened at Muckamore Abbey Hospital?

The long-awaited final report into the abuse of vulnerable adults at Muckamore Abbey Hospital is due to be published on Thursday.

Northern Ireland

A Glider bus on fire in front of a bus sign which says 'Apologies for any inconvenience'.

Was it an overreaction to cancel buses and trains after disorder?

Translink apologised, saying "it was prioritising keeping staff, passengers, and the wider public safe".

Northern Ireland

A tall rise building with a sign in front of it saying 'Home Office' and 'UK Visas & Immigration'

Government crackdown on illegal migrants to 'intensify'

The UK government says its going to crackdown on illegal migrants living in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland

Vivian Panka as Regina George in the Mean Girls musical.

Mean Girls run at Belfast's Grand Opera House cancelled due to unrest

Vivian Panka, who plays Regina George, says she has been scared to leave her room.

Northern Ireland

Police officers wearing riot gear stand beside vans as fires are lit in the distance.

Nurse chased by masked men as second night of disorder breaks out

A nurse was chased into the Ulster Hospital by four masked men as disorder continued for a second night.

Northern Ireland

A composite image of Michelle O'Neill and Jon Boutcher.

Leaders condemn 'appalling' violence and disorder on Belfast streets

Leaders in Northern Ireland react to disorder that broke out on Tuesday evening.

Northern Ireland

A bus on fire in Belfast, during a night of violence following a knife attack. There is blue and green BBC Verify branding in the top left corner.

How a knife attack sparked a night of violence in Belfast

BBC Verify mapped some of the violent disorder that took place in Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland

Dan Johnson split screen with burning house.

Torched homes and vehicles: Destruction after Belfast unrest

Houses, vehicles and a bus were set on fire during violent protests on Tuesday night after a knife attack in Belfast.

Northern Ireland

Jamie Corry stands outside of his burnt out home in east Belfast. He is looking at the camera with a neutral expression on his face. He is wearing a black puffed jacket.

Residents 'devastated' after homes and cars set on fire during disorder

East Belfast residents say violence which broke out on their street on Tuesday is 'devastating'.

Northern Ireland

People with their faces blurred being rushed into a van by police as fire burns near their home.

Watch: Residents flee as cars and houses burn in Belfast

Police and firefighters help families leave their homes amid disorder following a knife attack.

Northern Ireland