Limerick Mental Health Week 2017 begins Friday, October 6 

Representatives from different organisations involved in Limerick Mental Health Week 2017.

Limerick Mental Health Week 2017 begins Friday, October 6 

Limerick Mental Health Association and a team of 25 charities, community groups, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and businesses across the city & county have been working tirelessly over the last several months to put together Limerick Mental Health Week 2017, a week of talks, workshops, exhibitions and events for the public in the month of October on the topic of mental health. The week marks World Mental Health Day Tuesday, October 10, which is run yearly by the World Mental Health Federation and this year’s theme is ‘mental health in the workplace’.

Martin Rogan, CEO of Mental Health Ireland said, “World Mental Health Day is a great idea but it would remain only an idea if it wasn’t for the work of volunteers at Limerick Mental Health Association. Limerick MHA has taken the World Mental Health Day concept to a whole new level to ensure that all of the people of Limerick can participate and celebrate over a week of events. We wish them every success”.

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Going beyond the theme of ‘mental health in the workplace’ Limerick Mental Health Week’s theme is ‘Promoting Positive Mental Health in the Community’. The aim was to continue to expand the range of events to have something for every member of the Limerick City and County community from young to old and from all walks of life. This model is a whole community approach with inclusivity at its core and that is reflected in the group of 25 organisations involved. Mental health and well-being is relevant to everyone, Limerick Mental Health Association want everyone to engage and attend as many events as possible, start conversations around mental health and find out more about the supports that are available.

Patrick Fitzgerald, Therapist and volunteer Director of Limerick Mental Health Week said “Mental health is a part of our lives as much as physical health is. We all know to go to a doctor when we break a bone or get sick. But do we know where to go when we feel low or need help for our mental health? Do we know how to look after our mental health on a daily basis? Limerick Mental Health Week looks to raise awareness of the services available to all of us and how we look after our mental health.”

As part of a team bonding and brain storming session around Limerick Mental Health Week representatives from many of the organisations involved took to the Shannon for some kayaking. Claire Flynn, Chairperson of Limerick Mental Health Association said, “This year the Limerick Mental Health Week organizing committee held our first event with Get West on the River Shannon for our volunteers and supporters.  It was amazing to see our river in such a different way and to enjoy it as an amenity and asset rather than to see it as a sad and tragic place.”

Limerick Mental Health Association has been proud to be coordinating Limerick Mental Health Week for the past number of years. This year promises to be the biggest yet. As a city and County we have been badly affected by suicide. The people of Limerick want information and want to be able to help themselves and to know how to help each other.

Limerick Mental Health Week brings the people of Limerick together with organisations, businesses and more importantly, each other.  This collaboration highlights the many services and volunteers that support people who are living with or supporting a family member or friend who is living with poor mental health. Limerick Mental Health Week 2017 will have amazing events, speakers and information for everyone from our youngest citizens to our oldest.  Something for everyone to enjoy and to learn about the amazing mental health and support organisations that are here.”

Mental health week runs this year from Friday, October 6 – Friday, October 13 with this year’s launch of the event is in King Johns Castle on Friday, October 6 at 6pm. For the launch Limerick Mental Health Association is collaborating with the Limerick School of Art and Design Students’ Union and the historical King John’s Castle. The launch will be a showcase of mental health organisations in Limerick along with a variety of performances and visual art developed around the concepts of mental health. The evening aims to engage the public with the arts and their own understanding of mental health. The arts are key for self-expression and a means of understanding the world around us. The evening hopes to empower the community and spark creativity within us all.

One of our highlight events this year is the Family Funday taking place on Saturday, October 7 on Bedford Row between 12.00pm and 4.00pm. This event will see organisations from around Limerick taking part with interactive engaging pieces to raise awareness and educate around mental health. With live music, face painting and prizes on offer, it will truly be a big event aimed at all ages.  

Mental Health has historically been a taboo topic in Ireland. Having a dedicated week around mental health that has the backing of so many groups in Limerick illustrates the strides made in acknowledging and addressing the importance of mental health and supporting each other and us.

Limerick Mental Health Association would like to thank the HSE and all organisations that arrange and run events throughout the week and to the community members who attend and bring their voice and attention to the importance of our mental health as a community and as individuals.

For more information on the organisations involved and/or to see the list of events for the week, contact or visit limerickmentalhealth.ie or follow on social media @LimerickMHA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

For more on mental health in Limerick click here

For more on Limerick Mental Health Week 2017 click here