New projects to promote wellbeing

Supporting communities in Tipp

Representatives from Tipperary County Council, Tipperary Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) recently welcomed Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, to Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Thurles where she officially launched two new mental health initiatives: the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing project’ and ‘Planet Youth Tipperary’.

The ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ project provides clubs across the county with information boards bearing contact details for mental health and wellbeing organisations. Leas Cathaoirleach, Imelda Goldsboro, commented: “The project is an effective strategy to support our community to be informed on where to seek supports for mental health and wellbeing.”

Derval Howley, Head of Service, Health and Wellbeing, HSE South East Community Healthcare, also welcomed the launch of the two initiatives.

“The HSE is delighted to welcome the launch of both the Planet Youth Project for Tipperary and Wicklow, and the 5 Ways to Wellbeing Project for Tipperary. We look forward to continuing to work across County Tipperary on initiatives to improve health outcomes, particularly for young people. I would encourage people to take time each day for the simple but effective ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’, as research has demonstrated the benefits of connecting with others, being active, taking notice, learning and giving.”

A second initiative, Planet Youth Tipperary, was also launched at the event. Planet Youth Tipperary is a five-year initiative that will see young people surveyed in schools across the county. The resulting data will inform future community initiatives in promoting and improving the overall health and wellbeing of young people in communities across the county.

The initiative is an inter-agency collaboration between TETB, the HSE, Tusla, Youth Work Ireland Tipperary and Tipperary County Council, all members of CYPSC.

Minister Butler remarked: “I was delighted to be in Tipperary today to launch both the Planet Youth and the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ boards. Both projects act to shine a spotlight on the importance of both physical and mental health for our overall wellbeing.

“Since becoming Minister for Mental Health and Older People in 2020, I have always been clear about the linkage and the importance of mental health and wellbeing, there is no health without mental health.

“Both projects align very well with the ethos of Sharing the Vision, our national mental health policy, and Connecting for Life our self-harm and suicide prevention strategy, with the strong focus on positive mental health promotion, and early intervention. The boards are a result of a fantastic partnership, and they are now up in all Tipperary GAA Clubs, with their practical and hopeful messages, and key information on supports for those who need it.

“I would love to see them displayed all over Ireland.”

Speaking at the event, Stephanie O’Callaghan, who is Tusla’s CYPSC co-ordinator, said: “At the heart of Planet Youth Tipperary is the participation of young people. The survey allows us to hear first-hand about their lived experiences. This is crucial as the responses will inform the aids we put in place to help young people across the county in the months and years ahead.”

There was also representation from Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg at the launch who were involved in the design of the survey.