Council Celebrates World Mental Health Day

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is celebrating World Mental Health Day, which falls on 10 October 2018, by holding Coffee and Connect events, using the campaign theme of ‘Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World’.

In the weeks leading up to World Mental Health Day, the Council organised two events with young people from schools and colleges in the Newry City and Downpatrick areas to engage young people with the campaign.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “I would like to thank all of the schools and colleges that attended the Coffee and Connect events organised to highlight World Mental Health Day; it was fantastic to see such a great turn out.

“Young people growing up now are spending a great deal of time online, engaging with a virtual world that did not exist when many of us were growing up. There are benefits to this online world but as with everything, there are some negatives, including some young people experiencing cybercrimes and cyber bullying and sometimes feeling that their life is not as exciting as what they see online.”

“Coffee and Connect events are about getting people together, making connections and taking time to listen to other people and to take notice about what is going on in the world around you.”

Coffee and Connect was developed from the Health and Social Care Board’s ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ and tips and ideas of how to incorporate this message into the event are in the Coffee and Connect pack.

Councillor Murnin concluded, “Helping young people to be aware of, and look after, their mental health is something the Council takes very seriously. I’m pleased that the ’Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ has been developed and provides simple steps which everyone can use to ensure that they are looking after their mental health.”

You can download a Coffee and Connect pack by clicking here or on the pdf below and the Council is encouraging everyone to hold an event in aid of World Mental Health Day.