Meeting raises difficult topic of mental health
THERE was a great attendance at The Riverside Park Hotel recently as a meeting was hosted to discuss topics such as mental health and safety in the workplace, particularly focusing on the farming community.
The event was organised locally by local farmer and See Change Ireland ambassador Patrick Hipwell and it coincided with the launch of the organisation’s month-long Green Ribbon Campaign which aims to raise awareness and cut out some of the stigma that still surrounds mental health.
An array of fascinating speakers took to the podium on the night and the event was chaired by Pat O’Toole of the Farmer’s Journal. He introduced speakers such as Patrick, Deirdre Doyle from Teagasc, Shauna O’Connor from See Change, Fianna Fáil spokesperson for mental health James Browne and AIB Bank Manager Maree Lyng who spoke of how best to tackle financial problems.
Perhaps the most inspiring speaker on the night, however, was Chairperson of Awareness Head to Toe George Graham, who spoke of his own battles with mental health problems and how he came through. A special song composed on the topic of mental health was also performed by Jim Redmond and Mick Kavanagh.
All in all, it was an inspiring night and no doubt the some 70 strong crowd present will all have taken something from it. A number of prominent organisations were also represented on the night and will have taken a great message to give back to their members.
‘I was delighted with the turnout,’ said Patrick. ‘If we had’ve had this meeting five years ago, nobody would have turned up, so I suppose it’s great to see progress being made in the area of mental health.