Mental Health Awareness Event February 2010

“Work well, Live well, Be well” was the theme of an awareness evening held in Portlaoise Parish Centre on 17^th May, 2010, to highlight the importance of “Minding Our Mental Health”.

The evening was a great success, with an attendance by over 100 people. The evening was ably presided over by Ms. Sheelagh Coyle, Laois Community Forum’s PRO and featured guest speakers on all issues surrounding the area of mental health.

Deputy John Moloney, Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health spoke about the stigma which to this day is still attached to mental health and issues surrounding it, making it so difficult for people to seek help or advice. He presented the national campaign Seechange.ie, which seeks to dispel the stigma attached to mental health issues, from bouts of depression to more serious mental health illnesses.

Finola Colgan, Development Worker with Mental Health Ireland described how one in four people in Ireland will suffer from a mental health issue in their life and one in ten will suffer from a mental health illness. She spoke of how we all should be assisting each other and encouraging each other to not only talk about the subject, but also to encourage those struggling to seek professional advice and assistance in this regard. She highlight the importance of promoting positive mental health, in any small way, within our own family circles and local communities.

John Farren, Development Officer with GROW spoke about young people and how their lives can be affected by depression or mental health issues, coming from exam stress, peer or other pressures which may occur during that particular stage in life.

Finally, Mr. Ciaran Mullooly, Midlands Correspondent with RTE but also Vice District Governor of Lions Clubs of Ireland spoke about suicide prevention and the need for local community groups and clubs to ensure that suicide prevention training is made available to their members and leaders. He spoke about the programme in this instance, named ASIST, a skills based workshop which trains participants to ‘deliver suicide aid’, i.e. recognise and respond to a suicidal risk.  Participants are trained to reduce the immediate risk of suicide and increase the support for a person at risk.

Mr. Paddy Buggy, Chairperson of Laois Community Forum thanked all the speakers on the night and praised the commitment of the people working in the area of mental health, both professionally and voluntarily. He said that everyone in our community has a part to play in promoting positive mental health.

The feedback from this evening was very positive and worthwhile. It was also proved to be so, following the suggestion by Minister John Moloney, that other Community Forums across the country organise and support similar mental health awareness events to highlight the issue. Laois Community Forum is proud to have set a precedent in this regard.

Contact helplines and websites are advertised throughout this edition of the Community Forum newsletter and also available on our website www.laoiscommunityforum.ie

Laois Community Forum recognises community heroes

Laois Community Forum hosted its 2^nd annual Community & Voluntary Awards Ceremony on last Wednesday last, 3^rd November, in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. The Awards were held also in association with Laois County Council Heritage Office and Laois Sports Partnership and aimed to recognise the tremendous contribution made by community and voluntary groups to life in County Laois.

The Forum, comprising of 18 members who represent all registered community and voluntary groups countywide, welcomed 42 nominees in six categories and 16 individuals nominated for their outstanding contribution to the their local community, the unsung heroes of our county. All nominees were recognised as having made a significant contribution within and beyond their local community, through giving of their time, co-operation, their imagination and their hard work to achieve rewards of successful clubs, events and fundraising within the community. Each group and individual was congratulated on the night and presented with a certificate acknowledging their contribution to the community and voluntary effort in Laois.

Runners-up and winners on the night were:

Arts & Culture   – Runner-up: Open Door Theatre Group
                              - Winner: South East Laois Arts Network

Children & Young People – Runner-up: 4^th Laois Scout Group Portarlington
                                             - Winner: Mountmellick Macra na Feirme

Sport & Leisure – Runner-up: St. Abbans Fit for Life
                             - Winner: Wolfhill Athletic AFC

Heritage & Environment – Runner-up: Killenard Historical Society
                                             - Winner: Clonaslee Tidy Towns

Community Services & Support – Runner-up: Killenard Community Centre
                                                         - Winner: Laois Offaly Families for Autism

All groups shared a prize fund of €4,500. The Community Forum also honoured Mr. Chris Horan with the Unsung Hero 2010 Award.
Mr. Paddy Buggy, Chairman of the Community Forum congratulated the prize winners and praised all the nominees for their incredible work in their respective communities, adding that in these difficule times, the enthusiasm of community groups and their volunteers is invaluable in keeping our communities alive. He highlighted importance of encouraging people to do voluntary work. He thanked his fellow Forum members for their commitment and hard work and thanked Laois County Council for its constant support.

The Community Forum also acknowledged the presence of invited guests, An Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr. James Deegan, Chairman of Laois County Development Board, Cllr. John Moran and Director of Services with Laois County Council, Mr. Declan Byrne, all who congratulated the nominees for their hard work in the community, their motivation and their enthusiasm for doing voluntary work and helping others and emphasising the important role of Laois Communtity Forum as a recognised pillar representing the community/voluntary sector in the County Development Board process.

Laois Community Forum welcomes all groups to register with them and you can do so by contacting Tel. (057) 8674336, by email to LaoisCommunityForum@laoiscoco.ie or download a registration form at www.laoiscommunityforum.ie.