Marion and Janette from CMHA with Declan
O’Loughlin from The Irishman’s
CARLOW Mental Health Association would like to thank people for their ongoing support and interest.
Throughout the year, the local group organises many events to promote positive mental health and to enhance awareness and understanding around mental health and mental illness.
The aim of Carlow Mental Health Association is to encourage all in the community to think about their mental health and wellbeing in the same way they think about physical health and to offer advice to both local and national services to those who may be facing challenges themselves or someone they care about.
They distribute Help and Support booklets at every opportunity to ensure as many people as possible have access to those contact details if they ever find themselves in need of support. They also receive queries by phone and on their social media, where they direct people to the appropriate services.
“As a small voluntary committee, we cannot do this work in isolation, but we have always been supported by businesses and organisations throughout Carlow town and county, and 2023 has been no different. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank those groups and individuals who have supported us and also those who have worked with us throughout the year,” said a spokesperson.
“This group included schools, colleges, businesses, workplace groups and individuals who undertook fundraising and awareness-raising events for us. Everyone has their own story and reason why they associate with an organisation like ourselves and it is through promotion of these simple engagements that we can encourage others to be more open about issues relating to mental health and mental illness.”
Their next event will be ‘Hello how are You’ on 15 May, when they will encourage everyone to be aware of the importance of their engagement with others and the value of the simple act of saying ‘hello, how are you?’ and taking the time to wait for an answer from that person.
“We will be in Fairgreen Shopping Centre with KCLR from 10am to 1pm and we encourage everyone to drop down and say hello to us, or even make a point of using that day to meet that person you have been thinking about for a cuppa and a chat. Maybe they need it, and your connection may be the only contact they have on that day – so make it worthwhile,” continued the spokesperson.
Schools, colleges, businesses, workplace groups and individuals can register their own Hello event. Log onto www.mentalhealthireland.ie using the dropdown menu ‘your mental health’, follow the link to Hello, how are you campaign, where you will find lots of information on how to get involved.
For further information see [email protected]
