Mental Health Ireland is a national voluntary organisation with 104 local Mental Health Associations (MHAs) and branches throughout the country. The membership includes mental health professionals and lay people who provide care, support and friendship for the mentally ill.  MHI aims to promote positive mental health and to actively support persons with a mental illness, their families and carers by identifying their needs and advocating their rights.

People who are mentally healthy:

• feel good about themselves
• feel comfortable with other people
• are able to meet the demands of life

Why should the average young person be concerned about mental illness and know about mental health?  Here are just two facts:

one person in every three attending the family doctor has a mental health aspect to the medical problem

of those who live to 65 – one in nine will spend some time in mental health care

As a member of the general public it is highly desirable that you should learn as much as you can about the importance of mental health and recognise and deal with causes of stress and other factors leading to mental breakdown.  Remember that sometime in your life, you, a member of your family or a friend could become mentally ill and your understanding and help could be of tremendous support.