A series of mental health trialogue meetings, which are open conversations about mental health, will be held in Castlebar over the coming months. The trialogue meetings, which are aimed at people caring for someone with mental health difficulties, people working in mental health, people who have mental health difficulties, community and voluntary sector groups, and everyone who cares about positive mental health, will be held in the Ruby Room of the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, with the inaugural meeting being held on Tuesday March 15 at 7pm.
Trialogue meetings can help communities to change the perception that only those who work in the field of mental health are the experts in mental health. A trialogue meeting is a neutral space where communities can gather to develop their understanding of mental health issues, the challenges of maintaining mental health, and to transform thinking on developing better services and healthy communities.
Speaking on behalf of the local steering committee for the project, Andy Neary, manager of the HSE’s Rural Training Centre in Castlebar, said: “Mental health is everyone’s business, regardless of their background and experience. The trialogue meetings which are being held in Castlebar are an exciting new development initiative aimed at empowering the local communities in Co Mayo to become proactive in communicating about mental health through a powerful open dialogue.”
Some of the issues for discussion at the upcoming trialogue meetings in Mayo include recovery and mental health, the importance of hope, opportunities for growth, stigma, community responsibility, and the role of medication.
The trialogue meetings are part of a project that grew out of participation in the DCU co-operative leadership: mental health service improvement course. They are funded by the Genio programme and are supported by the HSE National Mental Health Office. The trialogue meetings will initially be facilitated by Paddy McGowan, mental health expert by experience, and/or Liam MacGabhann, DCU lecturer in mental health.
The local steering group members are available to answer any queries in relation to the upcoming trialogue meetings, and can be contacted at Andy Neary 094 904 2127 (office hours ), Joan Higgins 089 413 0903, Sue Hawkshaw 087 970 2563.
The Castlebar meetings will be held on March 15, April 12, May 17, June 14, July 12 and September 13 from 7pm to 9pm.
