PJ Murphy Chairperson of Mayo Mental Health Association Passionate speech on "World Mental Health day"

Good Morning, as Chairperson of Mayo Mental Health Association I would like to welcome you all here on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2017. This year the theme being “Mental Health At Work"

As you all know, a large portion of our time is spent at work, and this year the aim of world mental health day is to highlight the importance of making these experiences as positive as possible by promoting mental well being in all working environments.

Now, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you a little about our own organisation, as some may know, Mayo Mental Health Association was founded in 1970 but the first meeting of the association was actually in December 1968.

We have seen many changes in the area of mental health in the last 49 years and it has always been our Association's aim to promote positive mental health by removing the fear and stigma attached to mental illness and to highlight the importance of maintaining good mental wellbeing.

We have achieved this in many forms, especially, through various education programmes which have raised the profile of public awareness of mental health issues.

Our programmes start at a primary school level, where we organise and coordinate an annual Art Poster Competition; here our aim is to introduce children to the idea of minding and valuing their own mental health.

In 2013, our Association set up a post primary schools mental health education programme, where we plan, participate and facilitate "Mental Health Awareness Weeks". Our manager, Niall Dunne, has developed this excellent education programme, which currently is on offer to all secondary schools in Co Mayo. To date, 24 secondary schools are participating, involving several thousand students.

In fact, over the years, our Association has been to the forefront in that learning process through it's schools programmes, seminars and public lectures.
 
Our initiatives are not just confined to education; we have developed partnerships with many community groups, where we offer support and guidance in the area of mental health awareness.

We also provide quality community housing for persons with mental health issues and this social housing project has been in operation for nearly 50 years.

Indeed, it was this need for such re- housing, especially for discharged patients of St Mary’s Hospital who found it difficult to source their own accommodation, that prompted the founding members to establish the Association.

This re-housing scheme facilitated a transition from hospital to community living from the large institution to the community based approach that we have today. The Association played a key role in the bringing about change by breaking down the barriers of intolerance and prejudice that had prevailed at that time.

In today's society, tremendous advances have been made in the area of mental health awareness and Mayo Mental Health Association has been the vital link that has always encouraged tolerance and understanding of mental health issues.

Our Association will always lead the way, I trust, in informing, educating and fostering a culture where people with mental health issues are respected and supported.

Due to time constraints, I could not cover all of the activities of the association here this morning. However, our full lists of activities are provided in our information booklet, which is available here.
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The Association is fortunate to have a group of dedicated volunteer members who give freely of their time and talents to promote the aims of our association and I would like to thank these volunteers, and our staff and also the management and staff of Mayo HSE with whom we are in partnership.
 
 
 

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