Minding Your Mental Health messaging for Waterford GAA Clubs

HSE/SECH Media Release

2 April, 2024

The “Connecting for Life” team in HSE/South East Community Healthcare is delighted to welcome the launch of a signage initiative across GAA clubs in Co. Waterford, in which ways that you can mind your mental health and the promotion of HSE funded services are available if you need to access support.

The signage was developed in collaboration with Healthy Waterford, Mental Health Ireland and the Waterford GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee.

Speaking of the initiative at he launch, Agnes McDermott, of Waterford GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee said that each of the 51 clubs across Waterford City and County will receive a sign with clear mental health messaging and information on the key supports available. The signage will also be displayed in the two county grounds, Walsh Park in the city and the Fraher Field in Dungarvan, as well as in the SETU Sports Arena in Carriganore, Waterford.

Gina Delaney of Mental Health Ireland says that the signage provides details of the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’, which are five simple actions we can practice each day to maintain or improve our mental health and wellbeing. Having the signage in GAA Clubs across the county, Gina says, will act as a visible reminder to all and will have a broader impact on community wellbeing.

Tracy Nugent of the HSE Regional Suicide Resource Office and lead for ‘Connecting for Life’ (the HSE Suicide Prevention Strategy) emphasises the importance of including the steps for accessing support and the key 24/7 services. These services are there whenever they are needed, day or night and so they are the relevant ones for people to know. Where appropriate, these national services signpost to local services and are often the first port of call for someone in distress.

Healthy Waterford Coordinator in Waterford City and County Council Eoin Morrissey says that this is not just a sign in each GAA Club, it is a mental wellbeing conversation starter and a symbol of a greater openness around the importance of looking after our mental health.

Signs will be distributed to the Waterford GAA Clubs over the coming weeks. This initiative was jointly funded by the HSE under ‘Connecting for Life’ and by Healthy Waterford under Waterford City and County Council.