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UPDATED: Limerick Mental Health Week 2019 shines a light on important issues

Limerick Mental Health Week 2019: Representatives from various mental health organisations pictured at the Hunt Museum for the press launch of Limerick Mental Health Week 2019 taking place October 4 – 11. Picture: Bruna Vaz Mattos/ilovelimerick

 Limerick Mental Health Week 2019 shines a light on important issues, October 4 -11 

 

Now in its 15th year, Limerick Mental Health Week (LMHW) returns this October with a vibrant programme of events that promote positive mental health in Limerick and the surrounding areas. The calendar for 2019 includes public talks, music concerts, mindfulness and art workshops, sports, family-friendly events and much more. LMHW aims to highlight the serious topic of mental health in an open, engaging and encouraging way. The week will provide a forum to generate discussion, promote positive mental health, reduce stigma and help to bring mental health into everyday conversations. The week also promotes a wide range of supports and services which are available within the local community.


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The week marks the yearly World Mental Health Day on October 10, run by the World Mental Health Federation. Each year LMHW reflects the chosen theme of the day, for 2019 it is Suicide Prevention. LMHW is committed to promoting the support available around the subject of suicide prevention and spreading awareness of what you can do to help yourself and those in the community. Past themes include Psychological First Aid (2016), Mental Health in the Workplace (2017) and Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World (2018). 

 Limerick Mental Health Week 2019

Pictured at the Hunt Museum for the press launch of Limerick Mental Health Week 2019 taking place October 4 – 11 are Mary Collins, a volunteer with Grow, Lucy O’Hara, Limerick Suicide Watch, Richard Lynch, ilovelimerick, Claire Flynn, Limerick Mental Health Association and Catherine Slater, Director of Limerick Samaritans. Picture: Bruna Vaz Mattos/ilovelimerick

LMHW boasts more than 20 individual, free events catering for all ages, interests and locations with highlights including our Opening Night, Shine a Light on the River, a Family Fun Day, An Evening with Arnold Thomas Fanning and our special closing event a Limerick Choir Night at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The Opening Night of LMHW will be on Friday, October 4 at 6 pm in The Hunt Museum. Mayor of Limerick City and County Michael Sheahan will officially open the week’s activities alongside invited speakers, organisers and friends of LMHW. This event is open to the public, all welcome.

Limerick Mental Health Week has a number of ambassadors, including folk musician Emma Langford, celebrity hairstylist Gareth Bromell, Spin South-West presenter and Leader columnist Louise Cantillon, author Roisin Meaney, academic Dr Sindy Joyce, and Limerick Leader reporter Fintan Walsh.

Light Up the River, happening on Thursday, October 10 at 6 pm, has quickly become the most popular event. Specially illuminated boats make their way up the River Shannon at dusk in this beautiful procession. The public is encouraged to watch on from Thomand, Sarsfield, and Shannon bridges lighting up the river using phones or torches. All welcome, wrap up warm! 

They have two family-friendly events happening on Saturday, October 5. In the Castletroy shopping centre the Family Health and Wellness day includes lots of health-focused events for adults and children including spinning and face painting. On Bedford Row in the city centre our Family Fun Day is an afternoon of inclusive activities and fun for all ages. There will be lots of tunes from our resident DJ and SPIN SouthWest’s Spinis will be on hand reporting live. Join in the fun from 12 pm-4 pm.

An Evening with Arnold Thomas Fanning, the author of ‘Mind on Fire: A Memoir of Madness and Recover’ will discuss his personal story and experiences behind the book with the University of Limerick Sociology Professor, Eoin Devereux. The talk will be followed by a Q & A with the audience. The event takes place on Monday, October 7 at the University of Limerick.

LMHW finishes with a wonderful Limerick Choir Night at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 pm. All are welcome to this relaxing evening of song from a variety of choirs from across Limerick, arrive early to get a seat as this is our busiest event!

Limerick Mental Health Week was established by Limerick Mental Health Association in 2005. From 2006 mental health associations and groups throughout the Mid-West Region joined in the organisation of the week, the team is now made up of 25 charities, community groups, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and businesses across the city and county. The group has been working tirelessly over the last several months, many volunteering their time, to put together a thoughtful, relevant and fun week.

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. 

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 ourselves and each other.

More about Limerick Mental Health Week

Limerick Mental Health Week was established by Limerick Mental Health Association in 2005. From 2006 mental health associations and groups throughout the Mid-West Region joined in the organisation of the week, the team is now made up of 25 charities, community groups, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and businesses across the city and county. The group has been working tirelessly over the last several months, many volunteering their time, to put together a thoughtful, relevant and fun week.

 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.

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 ourselves and each other.

Limerick Mental Health Association would like to thank the HSE and HSE National Lottery Grant, Paul Partnership, Limerick City and County Council, the University of Limerick, The Hunt Museum, Tony Conolly, Connecting for Life Mid West, all organisations that arrange and run events throughout the week, our wonderful, hard-working volunteers, our media partner SPIN South West and 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 booking information click here

For more information on the events click here. 

For more stories on mental health click here.

Pictures: Kate Devaney/ilovelimerick

 

Pictures: Bruna Vaz Mattos/ ilovelimerick

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.