As part of National Mental Health Awareness Week, Athlone Mental Health Association is to host a wide-ranging series of events in the town.
All sessions are free and open to the public, and tackle different aspects of mental health issues to create awareness and promote the various support services available.
The events run from 11am-4pm from Monday October 5 to Saturday October 10 and will be held in the ground floor level of Athlone Towncentre, beside the 9D cinema.
Monday’s events include a mindfulness session, introduction to DBT/CBT, stress management and the importance of sleep, and careers in mental health. The Samaritans will give an information talk at 11am on Tuesday and at 2pm the HSE’s Michelle Baker will be talking about the campaign to promote positive mental health by changing little things.
Wednesday October 7 includes yoga and pilates sessions, plus a talk on The Recovery Journey by consultant psychiatrist Dr Carmel Hughes, and information from the Grow/Aware/Console organisations. On Thursday 8, Maureen Benson will give a cancer support talk, followed by an hour from Gina Reynolds and Margaret Daly on mindfulness and relaxation.
On Friday 9, some of the topics covered will be an overview and the accessing of mental health services, Mental Health Ireland with Finola Colgan, mental health issues at third level, and the multicultural aspects of mental health.
Saturday will focus on children, with face painting, colouring, mindfulness, and meditation, culminating in a balloon release from the Civic Square, with TONNTA and local Deputy Gabrielle McFadden in attendance. Seven primary schools in the Athlone area are participating in a colouring competition with the theme “Happiness and emotions” and their efforts will be displayed in Athlone Towncentre during National Mental Health Awareness Week, the winner to be announced at the balloon release.
For more information on Athlone Mental Health Association find Athlone-Mental-Health-Association on Facebook.
