Mary O’Kelly – Chief Officer, Kevin Brady – Head of Service Mental Health and Yolande Ferguson, Executive Clinical Director HSE Mental Health Services launching the Green Ribbon campaign at Oak House, Millennium Park, Naas.
THE Green Ribbon campaign – which promotes the message “there is no shame in having a mental health difficulty” – was launched in Naas today (1 September), and will return to the county with an open day in the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge on 22 September.
This is an initiative of the Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community Healthcare (DSKWWCH) , which is based at Oak House in Millennium Park in Naas.
The Green Ribbon Campaign is to raise awareness about mental health difficulties, and by encouraging the general public to wear it, “it shows you are open to having meaningful conversations about mental health”, said Mary Kelly, interim chief officer of the DSKWWCH.
“I encourage all across the region to connect with the Green Ribbon Campaign for 2023 to help raise awareness of mental health difficulties, and start conversations to end mental health stigma,” she said.
“By communities working together we can help to create a more compassionate society where conversations around mental health take place freely and those who need to, feel more comfortable in coming forward to seek and get support when they need it most,” she added.
“Through a range of events and social media posts, Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention are encouraging people to wear a green ribbon and to become more aware of the language they use every day that may be triggering for people with mental health difficulties,” said Ms Kelly.
“We will also be encouraging people and our partners to educate themselves about mental health and mental illnesses, so please feel free to pick up a ribbon at your local Primary Care Centre and Family Resource Centre,” she said.
Green Ribbons will also be available at the following locations; please pop by to have a chat and collect your green ribbon.
Liffey Valley Shopping Centre – 1 September
The Square Shopping Centre – 8 September
Whitewater Shopping Centre – 22 September
For more information on local events and to access Green Ribbons please contact Niamh Crudden, Resource Office for Suicide Prevention for Kildare West Wicklow on [email protected]
A Green Ribbon supporters pack is available can be downloaded at the following link by visiting www.seechange.ie/green-ribbon/.
