Free event aims to help tackle mental health stigma and discrimination among women
See Change, the national programme dedicated to ending the stigma and the discrimination that often surrounds mental health, has partnered with West Be Well, to host “Let’s Talk Mental Health Judgement”, a free event taking place this Wednesday, 22nd March from 11-1pm at the Ard Rí Hotel in Tuam, Co Galway.
The idea behind the event is to spark a conversation about the judgement that women can experience in the context of mental health, including the challenges that many women face getting mental health supports, and what we can do to help end the unfair judgement of women.
The event will be hosted by See Change Team Leader, Barbara Brennan, who will be joined by speakers Charlie Meehan, Head of Mental Health Service, HSE Community Healthcare West; Nora Fahy, Manager at Roscommon Women’s Network and Aine Hurley, Mental Health Ireland Development Officer.
MEP Maria Walsh will also be joining via video, and Michelle Clarke, an Ambassador for See Change, will speak about her own journey with mental health difficulties.
Members of the public can attend the free event by registering via Eventbrite. Light refreshments will be provided at the venue.
Speaking about the importance of running community mental health events, Barbara Brennan, said “We are excited to partner with West Be Well to bring important conversations about mental health to the people in the West of Ireland. By prompting conversations about mental health and encouraging people to educate themselves about mental illnesses, we hope to make it easier for people to have more open conversations about mental health without fear of being shamed or rejected.”
Nicola Byrne, CEO at Shine added “We recognise the importance of raising the voices of women who experience mental health difficulties, and those who support their loved ones through a difficult time. By providing a platform for conversations about mental health to take place, we are empowering women to get the support they need, and as a result we are helping to end the unfair judgement of women.”
Charlie Meehan, Head of Mental Health Services, HSE, who will be making the opening address, said “I’m delighted that we in the HSE have teamed up with See Change and West Be Well to run this event. This will build on previous work with See Change promoting the Green Ribbon campaign throughout Galway, Mayo and Roscommon”.
To learn more about See Change, visit www.seechange.ie
For more information on West Be Well, visit www.westbewell.ie
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About See Change
See Change is Ireland’s national programme dedicated to ending mental health stigma and discrimination. Its work is informed by people with lived experiences of mental health difficulties, including its 50+ trained Ambassadors, who share their stories to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.
Across the country, See Change works with its Ambassadors, partners and workplaces to debunk the myths and misconceptions about living with a mental health difficulty. See Change run fully-funded stigma reduction workshops, the national Green Ribbon campaign, as well as provide resources to workplaces to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.
See Change is a programme of Shine, a charity that supports people with lived experience of mental health difficulties and their families and supporters, alongside Headline, Ireland’s national programme for responsible reporting and representation of mental illness and suicide.
Shine is a national organisation providing information and support for people affected by mental health difficulties. Shine supports individuals and family members through individual recovery work, peer support groups, and training and education. Shine also advocates for social change by promoting and defending the rights of all those affected by mental health difficulties to equal support and quality services. Shine is the only national mental health organisation specifically founded to support all family members. Website: www.shine.ie
About West Be Well
The West Be Well Group was set up in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon in September 2020. Its members include the HSE Resource Office for Suicide Prevention, HSE Communications, Children and Young Person’s Services Committee Tusla, Mindspace Mayo and a Communications Coordinator. It promotes timely, safe, evidence-based mental health messages and local and national mental health supports and services by HSE or other state-funded services, as well as mental health and suicide prevention education and training programmes and events. This work is carried out through a multi-channel digital platform i.e., its website www.westbewell.ie, social media and traditional media e.g., newspapers and radio.
