Mental Health Ireland and SeeChange Launch National Mental Health Week
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day on October 10th is ‘Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World’ and the National launch of Mental Health Week tomorrow will see people from all walks of life come together to discuss the challenges facing our young people today.
Zoe Forde’s is a SeeChange Ambassador and will be speaking at the event.
“I started struggling with my mental health in secondary school. I felt so alone, and for a long time I suffered in silence. With See Change, I share my mental health story so that others know they are not alone and can get the help and support they need,” said Zoe.
The two-hour event will include addresses from Dr Colman Noctor, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist; Dr Niall Muldoon, Children’s Ombudsman; Zoe Forde, SeeChange Ambassador; and Kiki Matire, Outreach and Information Officer of SpunOut.ie. There will be music throughout from State Lights, The Iveagh Trust Community Choir and Stephen Leeson.
Martin Rogan, CEO of Mental Health Ireland said, “As parents and adults we want the best for our children; the best home, the best education, the best healthcare and indeed the best parents. In a changing world it can be difficult to achieve all of these but it is important to keep trying”.
Dr Colman Noctor will address the pressure our youth feel to maintaining a sense of self in a time of distraction. He will explore the challenges to establishing an adolescent identity in a world that is void of reflection and space amidst a digital deluge. The epidemic of this generation is anxiety and pressure and Dr Noctor will offer explanation as to why this might be happening and what we can do to help.
As Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon has prioritised Mental Health for children and young people. He has consistently sought a reduction in the stigma that often surrounds it, an increase in the awareness of it as an issue in young people and improvements in the way mental health support services are resourced.
“It is important to recognise that young people in Ireland today live in a world characterised by economic uncertainty, academic pressure and an all pervasive social media,” said Niall. “Ireland has a poor record of looking after our vulnerable children and young people today, who are suffering from mental ill health, have to fight for every appointment, every resource and every support they need. It is to our shame as a society that children are still not at the centre of our mental health system but rather they are just seen as patients who must fit into how the system works. I hope that this event will help to bring about changes in that way of thinking.”
The Very Revd William Morton, Dean of Saint Patrick’s said “As the Dean of Saint Patrick’s, I am delighted that we have the opportunity to provide the venue for an evening bringing people together in common purpose to address the very serious concern of Mental Health and Wellbeing. We carry on the deep social concern of our former Dean, Jonathan Swift, who held this cause so passionately that part of his legacy was to found Saint Patrick’s Hospital. We pray that the works done there, and by all the organisations throughout the island of Ireland, will flourish and continue to support and highlight the very real experiences of people – especially young people, who have times of vulnerability.”
This free event starts at 7pm on Friday and is open to the public. For a nationwide listing of events during Mental Health Week see mentalhealthireland.ie