News

This year’s World Mental Health Day falls today, Thursday, October 10th with a range of events being organised around the country to promote positive mental health.

In order to promote positive mental health Macra na Feirme is a partner organisation of the See Change initiative which is working to reduce the stigma around mental health issues in Ireland. With one in ten people suffering from depression at any given time in this country, it’s important that myths are dispelled.

While not a mental health organisation, by being a vibrant, inclusive support organisation for young people which provides a wide range of activities for members, Macra has been to the forefront of promoting positive mental health. Sports, drama and public speaking are all excellent ways to make friends, and develop your confidence.

As has been pointed out by our National President Kieran O’Dowd, it is important that Macra na Feirme members and other young people think of positive mental health like exercise- you must take regular exercise to be physically healthy and it’s important to protect your mental health as well.

Building on its proud tradition as being a voice for all rural young people and promoting the interests of all it’s members at the national ploughing championship, Macra, in partnership with GLEN, published a booklet on positive mental health for LGBT young people in rural Ireland. Copies of the booklet are available free to download on the Macra website.

Further details on how Macra is promoting Positive mental health can be found here.

- Garvan Hickey, Chair of the Rural Youth Initiative Committee