Mental Health initiatives praised in county Waterford
The belly dancing class at Community Wellness Afternoon in Ballysaggart
West Waterford Mental Health Awareness hosted a successful Community Wellbeing Afternoon on Saturday.
The event was held at the Ballysaggart GAA Club and featured a talk on nutrition and healthy eating as well as a belly dancing class.
Cllr Donnchadh Mulcahy, Chairperson of West Waterford Mental Health Awareness, thanked everyone who supported the event.
“It was a brilliant afternoon and exactly what these events are about. Bringing people together, having a chat, learning something new and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within our communities.
“A huge thank you to David and Layla for giving their time and making the afternoon so enjoyable. I also want to thank Ballysaggart GAA Club for hosting us, everyone who helped behind the scenes and, most importantly, everyone who came along and took part.
“I also want to give a special thank you to our fantastic committee members, Lisa, Liz, Monica, John, Kieran, Eoin and Paul, who do an incredible amount of work behind the scenes.
“Their time, commitment and dedication to West Waterford Mental Health Awareness is what allows us to continue organising events and initiatives throughout West Waterford. I’m very lucky to have such a hardworking team around me and their contribution is hugely appreciated,” said Cllr Mulcahy.
West Waterford Mental Health Awareness is continuing to bring wellbeing initiatives directly into communities across West Waterford, with the next event already planned.
The next Community Wellbeing event is set to take place in Ballyduff on Saturday, September 19.
Further details will be announced shortly.
Separately, Cllr Mulcahy has also praised Samaritans for their community outreach in Tallow Volunteers handed out Samaritans wristbands and pens and spoke with members of the public about the support available.
Cllr Mulcahy, who also helped out on the day alongside fellow members of West Waterford Mental Health Awareness, said initiatives like this are extremely important in making sure people know that support is there when they need it.
“Sometimes something as simple as a wristband or a pen with a number on it can make a difference. Someone might put it in their pocket, their car or their home and, at some point, either they or someone they know may need that number.
“Samaritans provide an incredible service. They are there to listen without judgement to anyone who is struggling, feeling isolated or simply needs someone to talk to. You do not have to be suicidal to contact Samaritans.” Cllr Mulcahy also thanked Keniry’s Centra Tallow for supporting the initiative and helping Samaritans engage with people in the local community.
“The message we continually try to promote through West Waterford Mental Health Awareness is that talking and reaching out for support should be completely normal. We need to keep breaking down the stigma around mental health and make sure people know where help is available.
“I want to thank the Samaritans volunteers for the work they do, Keniry’s Centra Tallow for their support and everyone from West Waterford Mental Health Awareness who helped out on the day,” said Cllr Mulcahy.
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free on 116 123.
