WORLD Mental Health Day takes place on October 10, which follows-on from World Suicide Prevention Day which took place on September 10. Given what we have been faced with during 2020 and 2021, this year the Public Health Agency is linking the two dates to mark a month of promoting positive mental health.

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Holding onto Hope in a Changing World’.

Clubs, counties and individuals are encouraged to engage with the campaign by visiting mindingyourhead.com for a variety of resources and links to useful information. https:www.mindingyourhead.info

‘Holding On To Hope in a Changing World’ is a five week social media campaign launching on September 6 which links World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to World Mental Health Day on October 10. The campaign is a collaboration between Health & Social Care partners across NI to encourage everyone to hold on to hope, to nurture our mental & emotional wellbeing and to raise awareness of the local and regional services that are available to help when times are tough.

The Interactive Campaign Pack features a Hope Quiz to help you reflect on how hopeful you are today. Your score will direct you to tips, information and resources that can help including:

– Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing

– Self-Care tips

– Helplines information

– Self-help resources

– Training on mental health

– Information on techniques such as gratitude, mindfulness and challenging negative thoughts.

– Downloadable poster

The interactive Hope Quiz allows people to consider their emotional wellbeing at the time of taking the quiz, and can be used frequently to gauge how we feel over a period of time, noticing changes in our outlook, and recognising things which may affect it. This in turn empowers us to become more aware of things that may cause us anxiety or low mood, and also those things which help improve our mental outlook.

Each time the Hope Quiz is completed your score will be shown, and support offered through resources which may be beneficial to you. As with our physical health, our mental health is greatly affected by things we can do to look after it; and the link includes information on the ‘Five Steps to Wellbeing’ which empower each of us to look after our mental health.

The campaign also encourages us to seek help when we need to, just as we would if we needed support with our physical help. The link provides information on how to contact services which can help you, or someone you know, who may need support with mental health. The message is clear – do not wait to see if things will improve, if you feel you, or someone you know needs support, reach out for that help now. It is important to remember that people live with, and recover from, poor mental health everyday, after they have reached out for help.

More information can be found at: https:covidwellbeingni.info. Information specific to Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal can be found on the HSE Your Metal health website: https:www2.hse.iemental-health

Samaritans continue to play a vital role, partnering with the GAA as their national mental health partner. Samaritans are open for business, and are only too glad to receive calls and emails. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know you can contact Samaritans 247 on the contact details provided. If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety call 999 or Lifeline on the contact details provided.