Better approaches to supporting mental health in the community may be achieved as a result of a series of six “open conversations” being held about the issue in the city over the coming months.
The first will take place next Wednesday at 7pm in the new Jigsaw venue in Fairgreen House (the old Habitat building ), opposite the Galway Coach Station.
The meetings are aimed at those working in the area of mental health, people who have mental health difficulties, and everyone who cares about positive mental health.
“Trialogue groups can help communities to change the perception that only those who work in the field of mental health are the experts in the area,” explains a spokesperson for the HSE West. “Mental health is everyone’s business, regardless of their background and experience.”
Mental Health Trialogue Network Ireland is a new community development mental health initiative. It aims to empower communities to become proactive in communicating about mental health through a powerful open dialogue and participatory process called trialogue.
”This is a facilitated circle of conversations which offers people unique opportunities to freely and safely share their experiences, stories or questions about mental health. The open dialogue approach also offers people the opportunity to listen and to gain insight into the lived, personal experience of others.”
Paddy McGowan and Dr Líam MacGabhann from Dublin City University will facilitate the meetings. HSE community services are supporting their roll-out in Galway.
“A whole range of suggestions, ideas, connections and understandings arise from sharing experiences and concerns in this way that may contribute to better approaches to supporting mental health in the community,” says Dr MacGabhann, a DCU lecturer in mental health. “Some of the issues for discussion may include recovery and mental health, the importance of hope, stigma and discrimination, and opportunities for growth.”
The Galway trialogue meetings will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm on March 16, April 13, May 18, June 15, July 13 and September 14. Admission is free.
Anyone interested in understanding more about other people’s experiences and perceptions about mental health or in sharing their own experiences, is invited to attend.
For further information contact local organisers: Gerry Blake, HSE West at (087 ) 4183139 or Evelyn McHugh at (087 ) 6740609. For further details on Mental Health Trialogue Network Ireland contact Lorna Ní Chéirín, national project co-ordinator, Mental Health Trialogue Network Ireland at (087 ) 7722217 or email [email protected] or log onto www.mhtni.com
