Young Mental Health Ireland Conference 2009

 To coincide with World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Ireland held its Inaugural Young Mental Health Ireland Conference on Saturday, 10th October 2009 in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. 

Around 70 young people, youth leaders and representatives from national youth organisations attended this conference to promote positive mental health amongst 16 to 25 year olds.

The programme (click on the image above to download it) included the Official Opening and Keynote Address by Caroline Casey of Kanchi.  Kanchi is a dynamic social enterprise, committed to enhancing the relationship between people with disabilities and society. Working with business and media leadership, Kanchi has been pioneering in engaging decision makers and influencers. The organisation was established in June 2000 by Caroline Casey, a visually impaired social entrepreneur, as part of a major fundraising initiative involving Caroline embarking on a 1000km trek across India on an elephant named Kanchi.  Through partnership with Irish business, government, media and the general public, Kanchi has developed unique and creative initiatives to change the social landscape for people with disabilities with particular focus on business. For further information on Kanchi log on to the website www.kanchi.org

Other presentations included:

• a Playlet/Drama by Wexford Youth Drama Group
  
  
  A post dramatic theatrework, devised and written by the members exploring what it is like to be a teenager today in post-celtic tiger Ireland.  Using live music and video the play is at times shocking, hilarious and poignant but always truthful.

  
  Photo by Matt Kavanagh - Irish Times
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• Presentation on Jigsaw
  
  Jigsaw is a free and confidential (private) support service for young people, aged 15 - 25, in Galway City and County. It is designed to promote systems of care that are more accessible, youth-friendly, integrated, and engaging for young people. The basic premise of jigsaw is that whatever their level of need, young people should be able to access quality support, when they need it, in settings where they feel safe, comfortable and respected. It is about meeting young people where they are. To know more about Jigsaw log on to www.jigsaw.ie
   
• “Funky Seomra” – an alcohol and drug free dance project
  
  Imagine yourself on a night out in an exciting club atmosphere where you're free to dance anyway you like without limitations, to the lush rhythms of funky global beats. With organic cafe, stunning visuals, chill out area with giant Budda Bags, play zone with Giant Jenga... For more information check out the website www.dancefree.ie or download David Mooney's presentation on the project FunkySeomra.ppt

• How to deal with Stigma and Discrimination (Amnesty International)
  
  Amnesty International Ireland has a tremendous reputation in the arena of human rights both nationally and internationally. MHI were delighted to have Ms. Pippa Woolnough from Amnesty International Ireland to speak to our delegates about the key area of Stigma and Discrimination in mental health.

• Open Forum
  
  Attendees were invited to exchange views, promote ideas and inform Mental Health Ireland on what directions it should take into the future from a young person’s perspective.


• Solo Artist Ian Doyle
  
   

  Ian is an eminent singer / composer from Wexford who led the excellent group Chaplin for the last few years before branching out as a solo artist earlier this year.

  
  Photo by Matt Kavanagh - Irish Times
  
  


 

Young Mental Health Ireland (YMHI) is a new initiative by Mental Health Ireland, its purpose being to open dialogue with young people and encourage them to influence the thinking of our national organisation on how best to respond to the concerns and issues that young people have regarding positive mental health. MHI regards as important liaising directly with young people and finding out how we can best assist them and how they can help in our organisation's goal of positive mental health for all.

 Wexford Youth Drama Group at the Young Mental Health Ireland Conference in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - Photo by Matt Kavanagh


 

  Ted Tierney (MHI Deputy CEO) and other delegates attending the Young Mental Health Ireland Conference at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin