Dundalk Positive Mental Health Steering Committee
I welcomed Minister Kathleen Lynch to Dundalk on Wednesday, 7th October to launch the Dundalk Positive Mental Health Week Art Exhibition in the Carroll Building of Dundalk Institute of Technology.
I was delighted to welcome Minister Lynch back to Dundalk again following her most recent visit in May to meet with local disability service users and providers.
The launch was a great success and generated many positive discussions on mental health. I was delighted to see such a cross-section of our local community and a variety of groups and organisations supporting Dundalk Positive Mental Health Week.
The exhibition seeks to promote positive mental health in the community and is representative of how art, amongst other activities, can complement and improve our mental health. The art exhibition in conjunction with the other events scheduled during Dundalk Positive Mental Health Week have been organised to promote awareness of mental health services and the importance of talking about mental health.
Mental health is as important as a our physical health but for too many years the subject has been taboo. The Dundalk Positive Mental Health Steering Committee works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health through conversation and by promoting awareness of the local mental health services available.
I wholeheartedly agree with Minister Lynchs' comments at the launch that we must be shameless in our promotion of positive mental health.
I would like to thank President Denis Cummins and DkIT staff for facilitating and assisting with the art exhibition. I would also like to sincerely thank all of the exhibitors for sharing their beautiful pieces of art with the community.
The Annual Dundalk Positive Mental Health Week has grown from strength to strength since we began three years ago and I look forward to continuing this work in preparation for the 4th Annual Dundalk Positive Mental Health Week along with steering committee members, Bernardine Quinn (Outcomers), Derek Pepper (SHINE), Liz McGuckin (Dundalk Counselling Centre) and Garda John Brady (Juvenile Liaison Officer).
The exhibition will continue to run through Friday, 9th October.
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