Mental Health Day takes place on October 10th every year. The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is Suicide Prevention. As a step to preventing isolation and protecting our mental health and wellbeing, Mental Health Ireland are encouraging people to connect this World Mental Health Week – 7th – 13th October 2019.
- Connect with yourself – notice negative or intrusive thoughts and patterns in your mind and recognise when this is affecting your mental health and seek support if you’re struggling. Take some time out ‘check in’ with yourself or simply go somewhere quiet and take practice some deep breathing exercises.
- Connect with others – spend time with people and peers, organise quality time with a friend or family member, join a club or group, engage with others, reach out to someone you trust if you’re feeling lonely.
- Connect with your community – organise work lunch, get to know your neighbours, join a new group, or check in with people and ask how they really are.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, connect with those who can provide support such as local mental health services,
your GP, or in an emergency go to your nearest A&E service.
Leitrim Events for Mental Health Week 2019
Groups and organisations are already planning events for the week including:
- Coffee Mornings
- Mindfulness events
- Gatherings like the Big Day Out enjoyed by many in May.
- Wellness Wednesdays throughout the month of October
- Stress Control Programmes
- Art projects and exhibition for schools
- Establishment of support groups
- and more…
Get Involved
Organise Your Own Event: If your group would like to organise an event you can get it publicised by sending information to rachel@mentalhealthireland.ie by Monday 26th August 2019. Click on the image to download the template.
One way of connecting with your community might be to host an open “try it out” session at your community group.
Host an Event: Some of the proposed activities, like support group sessions, establishing new links in communities, etc. can only be done if venues are willing to host them. If your community would like to be involved but you won’t be able to organise something, your space would be valuable resource during Mental Health Week. Let us know if you’re interested – info@leitrimppn.ie or phone 087 183 1253.
For more about World Mental Health Day and the work of the World Federation for Mental Health, check out their website – CLICK HERE.
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