Comhairle’s ‘Stigma’ play sends a positive message
THE HALLS of Wexford County Council’s Carricklawn headquarters echoed with a clear message from Wexford Comhairle na nÓg on Friday evening: ‘Do not be afraid to access counselling services if you need help with your mental health’.
The Comhairle members presented a short play, ‘Stigma’, to highlight their experiences of accessing counselling services.
The group’s aim in the coming year is to raise awareness on the stigma attached to accessing and attending counselling appointments in a school setting.
The play was produced, written and directed by the Wexford Comhairle na nÓg together with Dale Kirwan who volunteered his time to lead this play to reality.
County Council chairman John Hegarty introduced the play and highlighted the importance of ‘positivism’ for young people.
Cllr Frank Staples, the inspiration behind the ‘Ask’ mental health project, spoke of his own experiences of mental health, outlining how difficult poor mental health can be and of the range of services available to young people, stressing the importance of contacting friends and family if you need help.
After the performance, FDYS chair Marie Diskin said the young people of Comhairle should be very proud of their work.
She said: ‘It has a strong message concerning mental health and people are always welcome to avail of the range of FDYS services that are there to support them.’
Minister of State Paul Kehoe, who was in the audience, thanked the young people for highlighting the issue of mental health.
Young people affected by challenges with mental health can contact any member of the FDYS team – details are available at fdys.ie. People can also contact FDYS chief executive Kieran Donohoe at 053 9123262.