Special Courtown service for Mental Health Day
MARKING World Mental Health Day, the organisation GROW held a special service and gathering in Courtown which saw people come together to remember and throw roses into the water as a symbol to the memory of a loved one lost to suicide or just to honour those who are struggling.
The organisation GROW has been up and running now for 50 years and this year also marks its tenth year in Gorey, aimed at those who are over 18.
Coordinator Ellen Walsh, who has been involved with GROW in various locations across Ireland, said that this was an important event to hold at this time of year.
‘Heading into the winter months for many of us can also be period of anxiety, stress and loneliness. With the recent budget and constant talk of Brexit, it often feels like doom and gloom is all around us,’ said Ellen.
‘GROW holds free weekly support meetings and we are urging people to be kind to themselves, to reach out to others and to remember that health and well being begins with good mental health’.
World Mental Health day is aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and promoting awareness of positive mental health.
‘Most important of all is to remember it’s okay not to feel okay and it’s okay to ask for help. If you feel very low or anxious, talk to others, pick up the phone or reach out for help if things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope,’ said Ellen.
Ellen explained that GROW help people with the little daily challenges, as it is a task focused programme and that those in attendance leave each meeting with a job for the week.
‘For some its to make a phone call to meet a friend, for others is might be to get up just a half an hour earlier. The key to improving our mental health is by having support to make the little changes that make us feel better.
‘What’s most important for people struggling with their mental health is to make connections with people around us, this can save people and can help. This is all done at your own pace and in a gentle way,’ she said.
Ellen explained that tackling the bad thoughts is key to this.
She has been encouraging GROW members to ‘go by what they know’ as some feelings can be in our minds to trip us up.
If there are people out there suffering in silence for fear of opening up, Ellen advises that reaching out is vital.
‘With waiting times for mental health services, sometimes there is a fear that if you reach out you will be left waiting. But reaching out to somebody is so important. I would suggest talking to someone, maybe a trusted friend before a professional.
‘You don’t need a referral to come along to a GROW meeting and you are under no obligation to share anything with the group. I would always say for those thinking about coming to GROW to reach out to me first, and I can explain what it is we do at meetings and make a person feel more comfortable,’ she said.
GROW have groups in Enniscorthy, Arklow and Wexford town as well as Gorey.
In Gorey, meetings are on Mondays at the Loch Garman Arms at 10 a.m. as well as Thursday upstairs at Tesco Extra Store at the same time.
The Wexford town meetings are held at Wexford Mental Health Association, Henrietta St from 10 a.m. every Tuesday, while the Enniscorthy group meet at 2 p.m. on Mondays at the Presentation Centre, Nunnery Rd.
To find out more, visit www.grow.ie or call the GROW Infoline on 056 7761624 or reach out to Ellen on 086 8066959 or ellenryle@grow.ie
Alternatively, if you are in a crisis and want to talk, contact the Samaritans 24hour helpline for free on 116 123.