Summer Events in Cork to Promote Positive Mental Health
This May 2019, the mental health organisation See Change roll out their Green Ribbon Campaign to encourage Irish people to end the stigma around mental health. With Green Ribbon events taking place nationwide this summer, we thought that it’s the ideal time to shine a light on events, supports and services available in our area to encourage positive mental health in Cork.
It’s estimated that 1 in 4 of us will experience some mental health issues during our lifetime – by HSE
What is the Green Ribbon Campaign?
Each year in May, over half a million Green Ribbons are distributed across Ireland to raise awareness of mental health issues. The mission of the campaign is to end the stigma around mental health. Stigma is a barrier to recovery for many people who are suffering from mental health issues. The free Green Ribbons are handed out as a visual symbol of the movement to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Research conducted ahead of 2017’s Green Ribbon campaign showed that 4 in 10 people would conceal a mental health difficulty from family, friends or colleagues.
To claim your free Green Ribbon, click here to visit the See Change website.
Which Green Ribbon Events are taking place in Cork this year?
Let’s Talk and Walk – Doneraile Park – Sunday 19th May 2019 at 3pm
Let’s Talk and Walk, is a woodland walk taking place in County Cork in support of the Green Ribbon Campaign. The walk aims to encourage people to take some time out of their busy lives, to go for a walk and support the campaign, and to change attitudes around mental health – one conversation at a time. Staying active plays a key role in promoting positive mental health in Cork.
The walks are taking place at a number of locations across the country during May.
Educate yourself about mental health and stigma
To learn more about stigma around mental health, download the What is stigma leaflet produced by the mental health charity See Change.
What’s happening this summer to encourage positive mental health in Cork?
Safe Talk Suicide Prevention Training
Cork Mental Health Foundation are offering training to support people who are at risk of suicide. The three hour workshop helps participants to recognise people who may have suicide thoughts and teaches them how to direct vulnerable people to the right suicide prevention resources.
Click here to learn more about Safe Talk training workshops.
Spectrum Mental Health Clinics
As part of Ireland’s largest network of mental healthcare clinics, Spectrum Mental Health runs a number of health clinics in locations across Cork. Their skilled team provide therapy for a wide range of mental health issues. Their Cork mental health clinics include:
Jigsaw Cork mental health support for young people
To help those aged 12 – 25 with mental health support, Jigsaw Cork is a free and non-judgemental service specifically for young people. If you are a young person who is living, working or studying in Cork, Jigsaw can provide guidance and support for young people who are going through difficult or distressing times. They can also provide advice and guidance to anyone who is worried about a young person in their lives.
Jigsaw Cork is part of a national network of mental health support services for young people. Click here to find out more about Jigsaw Cork.
Shine supports people with mental ill health
Shine have a vision of an Ireland where all who are affected by ill mental health have the right to recovery and the opportunity to achieve their best quality of life. Shine regional development centres, including Shine in Cork, provide support groups, training and support, and public presentations around mental health. Shine also provide personal assessments and referrals to other mental health professionals, a Shine counsellor or a relevant support group.
Visit the Shine website to find out more about their work to support those with mental ill health.
MyMind Wellbeing Centre Cork
MyMind provide fast and easy access to counselling and psychotherapy services in Cork and nationwide. MyMind is a private service but it is designed to be low cost and based upon what you can afford. Find the contacts for the MyMind centre in Cork.
Health Events in Cork
There is usually a wide range of health and wellbeing events taking place across our city and the county, being promoted through Eventbrite. Find out which health events are taking place in Cork currently by visiting the Eventbrite website – https://www.eventbrite.ie/d/ireland–cork/health–events/
How about resources for older people in Cork?
As part of the development of Cork as an Age Friendly City, the Age Friendly Forum has been setup in Cork to provide represent the views of older adults in the city.
Also as part of the Age Friendly City programme, the HSE has published a downloadable guide – A directory of supports for older people in Cork. Download the guide now for detailed information about the supports and services available to older adults in our local areas.