Annual Report 2014 - Mental Health Ireland

Transcription

Annual Report 2014 - Mental Health Ireland
Annual Report
2014
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND
Supporting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing
1-4 Adelaide Road, Glasthule, Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01 284 1166
Organisational Information
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mentalhealthireland.ie
About Mental Health Ireland
Board of Directors
Mental Health Associations
Development Officers
Mission Vision Values
Twitter: @mentalhealthirl
Facebook:/Mental.Health.Ireland
REGISTERED OFFICE
1-4 Adelaide Road Glasthule, Co. Dublin.
BANKERS
Bank of Ireland, Smithfield, Dublin 7
And
AIB Investment Managers Ltd.,
Percy Place, Dublin 4.
AUDITORS
JPA Brenson Lawlor,
Argyle Square,
Morehampton Road, Dublin 4.
DATE OF INCORPORATION
As a company limited by guarantee
22nd November, 1966.
PLACE OF INCORPORATION
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Chairpersons Address
CEO’s Welcome
Mental Health Ireland’s Activities
1. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
Training
Campaigning
Information Service
National Projects
2. Supporting Social Inclusion and Recovery
Baseline Survey
Supporting recovery
UCC MHI Partnership
MHI Education Bursaries
3. Developing the Organisation
Governance
Charity Regulation
MHI Strategic Plan 2015 – 2017
Fundraising
Appendix:
Financial
Directors Report
Independent Auditors report
Audited Accounts
List of Local Mental Health Associations
MHI’s Team
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
Chairperson’s
Address
Position vacant
MHI CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2014.
Mr. Brendan Madden
CHAIRMAN:
Ms. Maria Molloy
HONORARY SECRETARY:
HONORARY TREASURER:
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BOARD MEMBERS:
Mr. Charles Burke
Mr John Fitzmaurice
Mr. Brian Glanville
Mr. Neil Hughes
Mr. Seamus McNulty
Mr. PJ Murphy
Ms. Alice Murphy
Over the last few years, Mental Health Ireland has gone through a period of significant
change, against a challenging background. We satisfactorily resolved some welldocumented and long-standing issues relating to financial liabilities in respect of staff
pensions, and we are now on a much sounder financial footing. Like many other notfor-profit organisations in Ireland, we have also faced the possibility of reductions in
funding from the HSE, who fund around 90% of what we do. And we have also had
to take account of the new regulatory regime for charities in Ireland, which imposes
higher standards of accountability, openness and reporting.
Ordinarily, just one of these three challenges would have placed significant demands
on most organisations of our size. But I’m pleased to say that we have dealt with
these challenges and we are now facing into a future which is much more exciting
and positive.
Maria Molloy
Chairperson
Much of this is due to the changes we have introduced over the last 18 months. In late
2013, we commissioned a review of our governance arrangements, and as a result the
Board agreed to implement a series of measures in line with best practice within the
charity sector. I’m pleased to say that we have made very considerable progress with
this implementation process, and can report the following achievements since the
governance review was finalised in February 2014:
>
Changes to the Board: We have continued the process of renewal within our
Board, and have replaced retiring Board members who have given long dedicated
service to MHI and I take this opportunity to thank them sincerely for their hard
work and commitment to the organisation. The new members are bringing a
range of professional skills and extensive personal experience to our Board.
>
Board Terms of Office: All of our Board members are now appointed to serve
a term of three years, which may be extended for one further three-year term,
after which the individual would stand down - this greatly assists the
ongoing process of rejuvenation.
> Memorandum and Articles of Association: We are well-advanced in updating and revising our formal Memorandum and Articles, so that they will be fully reflective of our new business model within MHI - this continues to be work in progress.
>
Financial Management: We recognised the need for professional financial
management skills within the organisation, both to manage our internal resources
and to provide appropriate advice to the Board, and in mid-2014, we were very
pleased to welcome to MHI our new Finance and Governance Manager, Tommy
Carroll, who came to us with an excellent track record as an accountant working
within the not-for-profit sector.
>
Executive Structures: We also strengthened our executive team at our head
office in Dun Laoghaire. In order to ensure that we have the correct organisational
infrastructure at the centre, Orla Barry, our CEO, is now supported by
Barbara Davis, who has worked for MHI for many years and has taken up the
role of National Projects and Fundraising Manager; by Jill O’Herlihy, a highly
experienced public relations professional who joined us as Head of
Communications in 2014; by Patricia Bourke, who took up the role of Head of
Training and Professional Standards last year; and by other members of the
support team at our head office.
A new Strategic Plan is now in place. We have developed a clear, focused and
coherent Strategic Plan covering the period 2015 to 2017 - this sets out our vision
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
for Mental Health Ireland over the coming years, and presents our future targets
and objectives within the framework of a Balanced Scorecard which we will use to
monitor, measure and report on our achievements. We will build on our previous
work and place greater emphasis on promoting mental health and wellbeing in
communities across Ireland, increasing our delivery of training and developing our
national campaigning. We will also support the social inclusion of people who
experience mental health difficulties in local communities and promote peer support
initiatives.
Strengthen Mental Health Ireland as the national network of Mental Health
Associations is also a strategic priority. One of the most significant issues which arose
in our governance review was the relationship between MHI and over 100 local Mental
Health Associations (MHAs) across the country. Whilst many MHAs are strong and
do excellent work in their local communities we are conscious that some had ceased
to function and others were in decline. To that end, we commissioned a Baseline
Study in 2014, which surveyed the MHAs and sought to develop an understanding of
their structures, services and future intentions. The report arising from the Baseline
Study is due to be published shortly and will help us to focus on the development of
effective relationships between MHI at the centre and the MHAs operating across the
country.
Part of the work we have been doing to strengthen the relationships between MHI
and the MHAs has involved the establishment of our new National Convention,
which for the first time puts in place a regular structure for members of the local
associations to meet and discuss common issues, and to take part in the policy
development work of MHI. I’m particularly pleased that this really does give the
opportunity for members of the MHI community around the country to have their
voice heard at a national level, and for the Convention to nominate three new
members of the MHI Board, further cementing these relationships.
Through consultation with the National convention we will agree the core functions
of MHAs and agree common standards. MHI will support the MHAs in achieving
uniformity and consistency with regard to all activity taking place under the banner of
Mental Health Ireland with a view to a much stronger network emerging over the next
two years.
While the Development Officers are developing a stronger role in delivering training
and mental health awareness in local communities they continue to be centrally
involved in the work to strengthen the relationship between Mental Health Ireland and
the local associations, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication in recent
years. Their job is not an easy one; they are the local face of Mental Health Ireland
and many of them cover wide geographical areas, acting as the local liaison point
between MHI head office and the MHAs within their area. As we move to strengthen
the relationship between the centre and the MHAs, the Development Officers will
have a vital role to play in terms of training, support, standards and quality. Inevitably,
this will mean a move away from some of the traditional activities in which our
Development Officers have invested significant time, and we are reviewing how we
can best make use of our resources to support local initiatives in the future.
Taking all of these things into account, it is clear that Mental Health Ireland has come a
long way in the last few years, and we have taken on board the need to change what
we do, how we do it, and how we manage our organisation. The next few years will
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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see a continuation of this process, as we look to become more innovative in line with
international best practice and national quality standards, whilst also taking account
of changing priorities and availability of funding for the work we perform. The
introduction of the Charities Regulatory Authority also changes the structure
within which we operate and whilst we are well prepared for the new regulatory
framework being introduced for charities, it creates additional demands in terms
of reporting and transparency.
Mental Health Ireland in 2015 is able to meet all of these challenges, and we are
committed to continuing the process of change. We have an excellent team led by
Orla Barry, who has had a hugely positive impact on MHI since she assumed the role
of CEO in 2013, and on behalf of the Board I wish to place on record our profound
thanks to Orla for all that she has done to date. A special note of mention must go to
Barbara Davis, who has served MHI with true professionalism and diligence for many
years, and whom we congratulate on taking up the role of Secretary of Mental Health
Europe. We also thank our Mental Health Associations and our many supporters
around the country whose commitment has been exemplary.
As Chairperson, I wish to thank my fellow Board members for their support and
dedicated service, and I also pay tribute to my predecessor Brian Glanville, who has
contributed so much for many years and who continues to serve on the Board of MHI
- his insight and experience has been invaluable.
2016 will be the 50th anniversary of Mental Health Ireland. Reaching this milestone is
a remarkable achievement, especially considering the difficulties which MHI has faced
in the very recent past. Thankfully, we are now a much stronger organisation and we
need to continue to innovate, to strengthen our network, and to implement our new
corporate strategy.
Maria Molloy,
Chairperson
Board of Directors, Mental Health Ireland
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
chief executive officer
ORLA BARRY
Welcome to Mental Health Irelands Annual Report 2014. It has been a busy year
focused on strategy, governance and re- generation of MHIs core activities; mental
health promotion; supporting the social inclusion of people with mental health
difficulties in local communities across Ireland and supporting our network of
Mental Health Associations.
MHI, founded in 1966, is a long established organisation and the regeneration we
are undergoing is a natural process of age; a need to appraise our systems and
positioning and to set a new template for the future. The primary focus in 2014
has been internal and at year end we are well on the way to launching our mental
health promotion activities. The work of the MHAs is still under review with a
Baseline Study in process. Our alignment to a recovery focus will take time as a
natural process of older Associations adapting and new projects emerging, takes
place.
Orla Barry
Chief Executive Officer
I wish to thank the HSE for the ongoing support provided to MHI and the
confidence given to us in a time of organisational change. We aim to complement
the work of the HSE in mental health promotion and social inclusion initiatives.
The work that we are undertaking in developing a new training programme ’Mind
Your Mental Health’ is in line with the HSE health promotion objectives. Our mental
health awareness raising campaigns deliver a positive message to the nation. The
national Public Speaking and Art and Photography projects engage young people
in schools. The MHAs provide a range of social support initiatives across the
country, complementing the work of Community Mental Health Teams.
MHI has a strong team of Development Officers working in local areas supported
by a small and diligent team in the national office. In 2014 this team was
strengthened by bringing in new expertise; Patricia Bourke joined us as the Head
of Training and Professional Standards; Jill O’Herlihy as Head of Communications
and Tommy Carroll, Finance and Governance Manager. MHI is now ready to
modernise our training and campaigning and to prepare the organisation and our
member MHAs for the new charities regulation.
We welcome the opportunity to partner with other organisations and extend our
mental health promotion reach. Support to See Change the anti-stigma campaign
and arts partnerships with First Fortnight and the Cast Film Festival. Our
partnership with UCC, Adult and Continuing Education, resulted in the piloting
of a new Level 6 Certificate, Mental Health in the Community, in 2014 and the
beginning of a new MHI education bursary.
As an organisation rooted in local communities, it is a great joy to me that so
many people give of their time and energy to spread the mental health message
and to fundraise for us on their own initiative. It is good to see our Plan to Protect
Your Mental Health message put into action; people connecting with others,
getting active; taking notice; learning and giving through volunteering, kindness
and charity.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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Mental Health Ireland, in the tradition of the organisation since its foundation
in 1966, has a significant contribution to make in promoting mental health and
supporting people with mental health difficulties on their journey of recovery.
As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2016 it is an apt time to re-energise the
organisation to look towards the future.
My thanks to the Chairperson and the Directors of Mental Health Ireland,
our highly-committed team of staff across the country; the Mental Health
Associations who continue to promote mental health in local communities; our
funders within the HSE and elsewhere and the many people who volunteer on our
behalf.
Orla Barry,
Chief Executive Officer,
Mental Health Ireland
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
about
mental health ireland
Mental Health Ireland’s (MHI) aims to promote
mental health and wellbeing to all individuals and
communities and to actively support people who
experience mental health difficulties on their journey
of recovery. Founded in 1966 on the recommendation
of the Commission on Mental Illness, MHI is a national
organisation leading a network of Mental Health
Associations throughout Ireland.
MHI is a lead provider of mental health promotion
within the voluntary sector through the education
activities of Area Development Officers and
campaigning and advocacy at a national level. MHI
also supports the 92 affiliated MHAs in promoting
mental health and supporting people with mental
health difficulties in local communities.
MHI has been an innovator in the promotion of
mental health in Ireland for almost half a century.
In 2014 we refocused our mission and regenerating
our activity to support our new vision; for an Ireland
where mental health is valued as being an essential
part of personal wellbeing and the health of the
nation.
We are founding members and the Irish
representatives for both Mental Health Europe and
the World Federation for Mental Health.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mental Health Ireland’s Board of Directors includes
people with finance and legal expertise; volunteers
from local Mental Health Associations, and service
users and professionals with mental health expertise.
The board is dedicated to the governance of MHI,
supporting the CEO in managing the organisation
and delivering on our new Strategy 2015 -2017.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS
MHI is a membership based organisation and has
92 affiliated MHAs located across Ireland. While
they are autonomus, MHAs share the mission,
vision and values of MHI and participate in projects
organised at national level. The MHAs are run by local
community volunteers; service users, families, friends,
neihbours and mental health professionals. The MHA’s
neighbours engage in mental health promotion
and fundraising in their local communities and
while differing in size and complexity, traditionally
MHAs engaged in befriending, social housing, social
activities and individual grants to support the social
inclusion of people with mental health difficulties.
DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS
Regionally nine Development Officers, provide
support to the MHAs. The Development Officers
also engage in mental health promotion activities in
their region and deliver awareness raising initiatives
and targeted education and training on a variety
of mental health issues. The Development Officers
work in partnership with statutory and voluntary
organisations to develop mental health promotion
and recovery initiatives locally. The Development
Officers have the flexibility to adopt a local approach,
working out of hours to engage fully with local
communities.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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mission, vision
and values
The mission of Mental Health Ireland is as follows:
Mental Health Ireland promotes positive mental health and
wellbeing to all individuals and communities, and through our
network of Mental Health Associations, we support people who
experience mental health difficulties on their journey of recovery.
Our vision is:
MHI’s vision is for an Ireland where mental health is valued
as being an essential part of personal wellbeing and the health
of the nation.
MHI will lead the way in informing Irish society’s understanding of
mental health and fostering a culture where people with mental
health difficulties are respected and supported.
Our values and beliefs underpin everything we do:
> We believe that everyone is entitled to inclusion in society
and opportunity for personal fulfilment;
> We believe in the right of everyone to be treated with
dignity, respect and equality;
> We believe in the right of those experiencing mental
health difficulties to be supported in their recovery;
> We are committed to transparency in our work and
compliance with the highest ethical standards.
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
mental health irelands
activities
Since the foundation of MHI in 1966 the activities
of the organisation has had a twin track purpose;
firstly promoting mental health locally and nationally
and secondly supporting people with mental health
difficulties in services and in the community.
Overtime the focus of these activities has changed
and in 2014, in line with national policy, our mental
health promotion activity embraces the concept of
wellbeing and the focus of support to people with
mental health difficulties is moving to recovery and
peer support initiatives.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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1. promoting
mental health and wellbeing
MHI’s work in mental health promotion and
wellbeing falls into three areas of activity:
the delivery of training; campaigning
including communications and projects;
information for the public about mental
health. This area of our work also includes
partnership projects particularly in the arts.
In 2014, we began to review of all areas of
our mental health promotion activity.
TRAINING
2014 marked a period of transition, review and
capacity building for Mental Health Ireland in relation
to its training provision.
Early in the year saw the recruitment of the Head of
Training and Professional Standards, Patricia Bourke,
whose initial focus was on the review of Mental
Health Irelands existing mental health promotion
provision.
Following this, work commenced on the development
of the new Mind Your Mental Health training module.
This one day module, which aims to support local
community groups and organisations in relation to
mental health promotion, commenced its initial pilot
in November 2014, forming part of the national rollout
of the Family Resource Centre’s Code of Practice.
In tandem with this Mental Health Ireland, via
its Regional Development Officers provided a
total of 348 information and training sessions
accommodating over 16,000 people in local
communities. This included partnership training
initiatives with agencies including the National Office
for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). The following is an
overview of the training and information session
provided in 2014.
Total number of
Sessions facilitated in 2014
TOTALPARTICIPANTS
348
16,275
Sessions
(up to half day in duration) 25113,639
Half day sessions
61
1884
Full day sessions*
34
707
UCC
(Certificate in Mental
Health in The Community)245
* full day training sessions included 14 ASIST training
sessions (340 participants)
NUMBER OF SESSIONS PROVIDED BY MHI (2014)
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (2014)
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
CAMPAIGNING
At a national level MHI promotes mental health and
well-being by campaigning to improve mental health
awareness though the media, social media, events
and projects.
World Mental Health Week
World Mental Health Week in October each year
offers all involved in the organisation the opportunity
to deliver the message of positive mental health. All
our Mental Health Associations got involved in Mental
Health Week by hosting events and fundraisers
in their local communities raising much needed
awareness around mental health and wellbeing.
World Mental Health Week in October saw the launch
of the Plan to Protect your Mental Health campaign.
Our ‘Plan to Protect’ campaign was communicated
to over 1 million people via print, radio and TV
segments that were secured throughout the week.
This included:
A number of our more established MHA’s ran
extensive activities throughout the week. Here is a
snapshot of some of the listed activities from around
the country on the 9th and 10th October 2014.
Thursday 9th October
> Arklow Youth MHA / Coping with Bullying,
Pat Cortney
> Mullingar MHA / Who Cares for the
Carer free seminar
> Ballyfermot MHA / Coffee morning – open event
>
Limerick MHA / ‘You’ll never believe what I heard’
Rumours & Mental Health / Mens only Minding
Your Mental Health/ Mind, Fitness & Stress
Management, Dr Andrew Hodgers
> Carlow MHA / ‘Taking Control’ Martin Mathews
/ ‘Eating Disorders support and recovery’
Valerie Byrne/ Holistic night
> Tipperary South MHA / Drama Workshop
‘Power of Imagination’ / Memoir Writing/
‘Little Gem’ production
•
•
Two national TV appearances on TV3’s Ireland AM
at the start of the week and RTE’s Morning
Edition on World Mental Health Day.
Five national newspapers including Irish Times,
Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Irish Daily Star
and Irish Sun.
•
Three national radio broadcasts including The
Last Word on Today FM and news bulletins throughout World mental Health Day on
Newstalk106 and Today FM
> Longford MHA / Music Extravaganza with
“Bright Lights” €10
•
•
The Dublin commuter newspapers Metro Herald
Online sources including The Journal, Her.ie,
Joe.ie, irishtimes.com and irishexaminer.ie.
Many additional websites used our information
indirectly to promote positive mental health.
Friday 10th October
> Mayo MHA / Distribution of mental health information
Over 25 local radio stations used our information in
their news bulletins on World Mental Health Day
For the eight year running Mental Health Ireland
collaborated with the Association of Irish Choirs to
highlight the positive benefits of choral singing to
people’s mental health. Choirs took part nationwide
organising workshops, open rehearsals, performances
in the streets, shopping centres, hospitals and day
care units, and ‘sing from scratch’ events. National
Choral Singing Week is thejoint initiative of the
Association of Irish Choirs, Wexford County Council
Arts Office and Mental Health Ireland.
> Galway MHA / Information stands
> Navan MHA / Open Evening
> Celbridge MHA / Mindfulness for Building Resilience & Stress Management
> Mayo MHA / Conor Cusack –
‘My journey with depression’
> Tipperary MHA / ‘Living Well with Dimentia’ Conference
> Tallaght MHA / Talk on writing & storytelling
for your wellbeing
> Waterdord MHA / Coffee Morning
> Tullamore MHA / Introduction to WRAP
> Tipperary South MHA / Mental Health Awareness
talks & Workshops / Pop Up Shop – Mental Health
Information/ The Art of Maintaining Mental Health
> Mayo MHA / GMIT Information Day
> Arklow Youth MHA / Big Sing Finale –
ticketed event
> Fingal MHA / Coffee & wellness afternoon
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
> Dun Laoghaire MHA / Bingo Night –
restricted event
> Galway MHA / Choral Recital
> Carlow MHA / Minding Yourself / ‘Radical
Forgiveness’ Rose Tobin/ Youth Mental Health Mile
> Waterford MHA / Living with Schizophrenia
> Limerick MHA / Support around pregnancy
& childbirth, Nurture / Gala Concert in aid of
Limerick MHA
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COMMUNICATIONS
Mental Health Ireland hired a Head of Communications
in May 2014. Jill O’Herlihy brings a wealth of
communications and media experience to the team.
A communications strategy was developed and rolled
out over the year.
Social Media
This included the development of the Mental Health
Ireland twitter, facebook and Instagram pages. The
response from the users of these social media sites
has been strong with the following statistics recorded
for 2014:
> Facebook likes - increased by
1,000 likes from May to December
> Twitter followers – engaged 1,200 new
twitter followers from May to December
Our engagement with the general public and
influencers on social media is growing from strength
to strength and we look forward to growing our
online networks in the years to come.
Re brand
Mental Health Ireland engaged with a creative agency
in 2014 to embark on a rebranding exercise. This
included a new logo for Mental Health Ireland and
the Mental Health Associations and a new website for
Mental Health Ireland.
The outcome was a new modern logo that represents
a model, called the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. The
logo has been rolled out in all our literature and all
MHA’s have received their own logo for their MHA.
The website is a longer project and will be launched
in 2015.
Blog
Mental Health Ireland also engaged with three new
bloggers over the course of the year to blog on our
website. They blogged about their own experiences
of their mental health and wellbeing. All blog posts
were shared on social media platforms and received
great feedback.
Media
Mental Health Ireland developed a media strategy for
2014 to be very selective in our response to issues
reactively and proactively. We took a proactive and
planned approach to our media outreach which
resulted in high levels of coverage when we issued
press releases or statements.
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
INFORMATION SERVICE
Mental Health Ireland provides an information and
signposting service to the public on issues relating
to mental health. Information requests are received
by telephone, email and letter. Email queries are the
most common source of information queries.
Most commonly, queries relate to sourcing
information on mental health/mental illness,
information on where to seek help and information
on support services available for specific mental
conditions. Queries came from people experiencing
mental health difficulties, concerned family members
friends, students and professionals in other sectors.
Information queries are also made by individuals
interested in volunteering for the organisation
Mental Health Ireland also received a large number
of requests for information and promotional material
from organisations, businesses, hospitals, schools and
colleges.
A review of the Information Service is planned in
2015/16.
In addition to the information service, other means
of communication include information leaflets, press
releases, social media using Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram and the MHI website.
Website
Mental Health Ireland’s website is another means of
people accessing information around mental health,
positive mental health and the projects and events
which are held throughout the year.
There were over 1 million visitors to the MHI website
in 2014.
Throughout the year the top pages on our website
which were accessed were;
• Mental Health Ireland (About us and our
Calendar of Events)
• What is Mental Ill Health
• How do I get help and finding support
• Mental Health Promotion
• Downloading Publications
In 2014 Mental Health Ireland employed the services
of a design agency called Create to develop a new
website for the organisation. The new website will
be modern, accessible from mobile and tablets and
easier to navigate and upload information it. It is a
long project and the website will be revealed in 2015.
Mensana News
Mental Health Ireland’s newsletter, Mensana News
was a bi-annual publication detailing MHI and MHA
activity. A decision was made to produce an online
newsletter every two months which would be sent
to all subscribers and shared on our social media
platforms including Facebook and Twitter and on our
website. People can subscribe to out newsletters via
our website and facebook page.
This approach results in up to date information being
shared with our subscribers on a regular basis. This
regular contact with people is important on many
levels including our fundraising push.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
NATIONAL PROJECTS
The active promotion of positive mental health
remains at the core of all our activities. This can be
seen through the work of our local Mental Health
Associations, our Development Officers and through
our national projects.
National Public Speaking Project
In 2013-2014, over 140 schools participated in the
National Public Speaking Project. The Final was held
in Trinity College, Dublin on Saturday 5th April 2014.
The finalist were from
• Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Co. Laois
• St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, Co. Mayo.
• Wexford CBS, Thomas Street, Wexford.
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MHI PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART
COMPETITION
Art Project
This National Art Project for students in Post Primary
Schools and Colleges was once again well supported
with 66 schools taking part and over 895 entries.
This years’ winning art submission was from Avril
Sinnott from Abbey Community College in Waterford.
Avril’s picture shows two people under an umbrella in
the rain with a rainbow and the caption “Everybody
wants happiness. Nobody wants Pain. But you can’t
have a rainbow without a little rain”. Her artwork was
used on the front of the 2014 Calendar.
Art Winner Photo
And the winning school was Wexford CBS. The topic
was Is mental health determined by memorable
yesterdays, cheerful todays and hopeful tomorrows?
Review
After 33 years of the Public Speaking contest Mental
Health Ireland has paused the contest for the year to
carry out an extensive review by surveying schools
and MHAs. The review will assist MHI in identifying
if the Public Speaking Contest is to continue in the
future in its current or a new format or if there are
alternative projects that may reach more students in
more schools.
The Project owes its success to the support received
locally and regionally and Mental Health Ireland
acknowledges with sincere thanks the significant
contribution made by students, teachers, school
managements, parents, local MHA’s, Development
Officers and Head Office staff. We are particularly
indebted to the members of the National Steering
Committee for their ongoing commitment to the
Project.
NATIONAL WINNER
AVRIL SINNOTT, Everybodywants Happiness
Provincial winners and also featured in the 2014
calendar were:
• Roisin O’Mally from Clifden Community School,
Galway
• Amy O’Carroll from Heywood Community School,
Abbeyleix, Co Laois
• Reece Soraghan from Oatlands College, Co Dublin
• Eoghan Gilleran from Kinsale Community College,
Co Cork
• Ryan Flynn from St Francis Cauchin College,
Co Cork
• Gabriel Galway from Presentation secondary
School Miltown, Killarney Co Kerry
• Odhrán Foody from Magh Ene College, Bundoran,
Co Donegal
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
Photographic Project
The Photographic Project was introduced in 2009 to
engage a greater number of students in developing
an awareness of mental health by presenting them
with an alternative medium through which they can
portray positive mental health. In 2014, there was a
significant increase in the number of entries received
with 33 schools taking part and 146 entries.
Tara Corcoran from St Joseph’s School, Dublin3
was the National winner. The photograph shows a
made out of autumn leaves with her friends hands
stretching out over the heart and the caption “We
may not have it all together but together we have it
all”.
PHOTOGRAPHY WINNER PHOTO
NATIONAL WINNER
TARA CORCORAN MOLLOY, We may not have ...
Provincial winners and also featured in the 2014
calendar were:
• Geeta Mitchell from Elphin Community College,
Co Roscommon
• Laura Keane from Presentation Secondary School,
Listowel, Co Kerry
• Georgina halving from St Columa’s College,
Stanorlar, Co Donegal
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION
PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS
CAST Film Festival
Mental Health Ireland was delighted to partner and
support The CAST Film Festival in 2014. The CAST
Film Festival ‘Calls to Action’ youth groups, schools
and organisations to ‘Break the Mould’ and produce a
film which sheds the light on a social issue indicating
a possible solution to the identified issue.
CAST believe and have witnessed schools, youth
groups and communities explore and change their
environments through the development of their films.
The CAST Film Festival provides a platform for these
organisations and communities to showcase their
creative and engaging work to their peers.
MHI partnered with CAST to sponsor a design a
poster competition in 2014. The winning students
came from Scoile Mhuire in Ennis and had 4,000
postcards made of their poster design which were
distributed in cafes nationwide.
First Fortnight
Mental Health Ireland is delighted to be involved
with and to support this fantastic festival in 2014.
The festival, which takes place in the first two weeks
in January, was created to challenge mental health
prejudice through the creative arts.
We were involved in two elements within the
Visual Arts section of the festival. We sponsored a
performance theatre that explored migrant suicide
and a street art project called No More Secrets. The
street art project produced seven large and small
scale street art installations around the country which
were supported by our Mental Health Associations in
a number of locations.
The aim of the festival is to make the First Fortnight
of each year synonymous with mental health
awareness, challenging prejudice and ending stigma.
17
Green Ribbon Campaign
Mental Health Ireland supports See Change’s
Green Ribbon Campaign every May. The campaign
promotes the Green Ribbon, which is now the
international symbol for mental health awareness and
promotes positive mental health.
As part of the Green Ribbon campaign, the IFA,
a founding partner of the See Change campaign,
partnered with Mental Health Ireland and Coillte
Outdoors to organise a programme of national Let’s
Talk & Walk Forest Walks to promote the Green
Ribbon during the month of May.
This year’s walks took place in the following locations
around Ireland.
1. Co. Donegal Ards Forest Park
Sun, May 11th at 3.00pm
2. Walk in Westport, St John’s Hospital at 9am
3. Co. Limerick Curraghchase Forest Park
Sat, May 24th at 3.00pm
4.Co. Cork Island Wood Recreation Site
Sun, May 25th at 3.00pm
5. Co Tipperary, Nenagh, Aras Follain Tyone,
Sat May 31st at 2pm
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
2. supporting social inclusion & recovery
Traditionally MHAs have been involved in supporting
the social inclusion of people who experience mental
health difficulties in local communities across Ireland.
The activities they engage in include befriending,
social clubs, social activities, providing grants to
individuals and services and providing social housing.
As part of the governance review of the organisation
the Board of MHI agreed to undertake a baseline
survey of the MHAs.
BASELINE STUDY OF THE MENTAL
HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS
In 2014, MHI had a list of 104 local MHAs deemed to
be affiliated to Mental Health Ireland. The baseline
study is intended to elicit information on the number
of active MHAs and to document their activities. It is
also intended to capture the views of MHA members
in relation to their activities and the relationship
between MHI and the MHAs. The study, carried out by
Crowe Horwath, began in 2014 and will report in 2015.
The MHAs have contributed financially to the project.
SUPPORTING RECOVERY
As the mental health services are changing in line
with national mental health policy, A Vision for
Change (2006), so too the emergence of recovery
focused initiatives is evident in MHIs network. Projects
such as Aras Follain, peer support centre in Nenagh;
GTI, Get Together Inishowen and the Dalkey Social
Club are all peer support initiatives of MHAs.
Development Officers and MHAs are also engaged
with ARI, Advancing Recovery in Ireland, projects in
HSE areas.
University College Cork (UCC) MHI Partnership
Certificate Course - Mental Health in the
Community
UCC, Adult and Continuing Education, ACE, in
association with MHI developed a new Level 6
Certificate course, Mental Health in the Community.
The Certificate looks at community and civil society
as a context for ‘recovery in mental health’ and the
participants examine the world of mental health and
ill health with a critical lens; challenging the way in
which we define, understand and work with mental
and emotional distress.
The Certificate is a new and innovative programme,
piloted in 2014, with the first group of students
in Cork. It is planned to roll out the programme
nationally in 2015.
MHI EDUCATION BURSARIES
As part of the UCC partnership MHI set up an
education bursary to support people on low income
to access the Certificate course, with a priority to
support people with mental health difficulties.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
19
3. developing the organisation
Mental Health Ireland is grateful to the Health Service
Executive for their continued support and funding
throughout 2014. MHIs national activity is funded
through a National Service Level Agreement and
in Donegal, the Midlands, the Mid-West, the North
East, Sligo/Leitrim, Mayo and Galway local Service
Level Agreements facilitate the employment of
Development Officers in those areas.
MHI also partners with the HSE in the delivery of
local projects. Jigsaw Galway is a partnership project
between MHI, the HSE and Headstrong and MHI
employs eight staff for the project.
In 2014 MHI also partnered with the HSE to develop
the Mayo Youth Mental Health Project in Castlebar.
GOVERNANCE
For MHIs board addressing governance and strategy
was a priority in 2014. The Governance Review of MHI
was finalised in February 2014 and resulted in major
changes within the organisation.
The Memorandum and Articles of Association were
changed and allowed a renewal within the Board
and new Directors with expertise in finance, law and
service user experience have joined the board. The
term of office of Directors has been reduced.
CHARITY REGULATION
To prepare MHI and the MHAs for the new
regulatory regime for charities in Ireland, a Finance
and Governance Manager, Tommy Carroll was
appointed in mid 2014, bringing professional
financial management skills to the organisation.
The Charity Regulator has developed a new set of
standards for all registered charities to operate within.
Mental Health Ireland is liaising with our member
organisations to assist them in meeting these
standards by the 2016 deadline.
MHI STRATEGIC PLAN 2015-2017
A new Strategic Plan has been developed covering
the period 2015 to 2017 and as part of this process
the Mission, Vision and Values of MHI were reviewed
and changed to reflect a modern recovery focused
organisation. Our strategic priorities also reflect this
change; promoting mental health and wellbeing in
communities across Ireland and supporting the social
inclusion of people who experience mental health
difficulties in local communities.
Strengthening Mental Health Ireland as the national
network of Mental Health Associations is also a
strategic priority. The relationship between MHI
and the local Mental Health Associations (MHAs)
is a focus of the Baseline Study and will be a
priority for the Finance and Governance Manager.
A new National Convention of Mental Health
Associations is being established, which will
establish a structure for members of the local
associations to meet and discuss common issues,
and to take part in the policy development work
of MHI.
20
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
FUNDRAISING
VOLUNTEERS
Many volunteers throughout the country are regularly
involved in a variety of interesting fundraising
initiatives which generate crucial revenue for their
Mental Health Associations, thus enabling their
valuable activities.
Volunteers make an enormous contribution to the
work of MHI around the country, actively supporting
people with a mental difficulties and supporting
positive mental health in their communities.
It would be impossible in our Annual Report to
list all volunteer fundraising activities, however,
some are laid out in the Mental Health Association
Achievements 2014 section.
In 2014 Mental Health Ireland set up a Text to Donate
service which provides a service to donate €4 to
MHI directly from your phone bill by texting MHI to
50300. This was established in October 2014 and in
the three months to the end of the year, donations
were a generous €1172.18.
The last quarter of 2014 was spent planning
fundraising activities for 2015. MHI plan to increase
fundraising activities going forward and have
identified three core fundraising activities including
Smiley Pancake Day, MHI Solstice Wellbeing Day and
World Mental Health Day.
We are very fortunate to have a large number of
people each year who fundraise for Mental Health
Ireland. The fundraising activities include mini
marathons, half and full marathons, Hell and Back
races and many other sporting events. We are very
grateful to these people for their contributions and
for choosing MHI as their charity of choice.
An increasing number of information queries
come from individuals looking for information on
volunteering with MHI and getting involved in local
projects and activities.In 2014 we created a bank
of social media volunteers. Overnight we received
interest from 240 people to help MHI spread our
messages using their own social media channels. It
was a great opportunity to engage with the youth
market and let them share their thoughts on mental
health and wellbeing and to support us with our
messaging.
Our team of Development Officers work with
volunteers around the country supporting them in
their work and providing training.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
21
4. mha activities
east wicklow
development officer: michael noble
no. of local mhas: 4
Arklow MHA, Wicklow | Bray MHA, Wicklow| Friends of Newcastle MHA, Wicklow
Wicklow MHA, Wicklow
ARKLOW MHA continued to support and enhance
the quality of life of those managing a mental illness
and attending the local Day Hospital. They have eight
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
> The Mental Health Information Stand in the local
library continued to be a success and was checked
and stocked on a regular basis by persons
attending the Day Hospital.
FRIENDS OF NEWCASTLE MHA continued its
valuable work providing additional resources to
Newcastle Hospital to enhance the treatment
and recovery of those attending it. They have 72
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
IMAGE 1
> The association organise regular social outings
for the local community to take part in.
BRAY MHA continued to support and enhance the
quality of life of those living in the Bray area and
attending the Lincara Day Hospital. They have four
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
> weekly social club held in the Community Centre, Boghall Road where, in addition to refreshments
and chat, a wide range of activities including bingo,
karaoke, art, crafts, singing and board games
took place.
> The annual respite trip to Kilkenny for a weekend
Activities included:
> Maintaining the Recovery Garden
> Assisted with funding for the Public
Speaking Project locally
> The Annual Ball
WICKLOW MHA continued to play an effective role
in providing regular mental health talks, information
and supports for the population of Wicklow and its
surrounding area. They have 28 volunteers who give
their time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Weekly social club ‘Companions’. In addition
to refreshments and chat, activities included
photography, weaving, knitting and nutrition.
• Organisation of social outings to cinemas,
restaurants, shopping centres, theatres etc.
• Provision of various articles on mental health
issued to the local media
• Monthly public information meetings on topics
around mental health and wellbeing
• Organised local and country rounds of Public
Speaking Contest.
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
North Dublin
development officer: michael noble
no. of local mhas: 10
Drumcondra and District MHA | Dun Laoghaire | Crumlin | Ballyfermot | St Lomans
Finglas MHA | Fingal MHA | Friends of Kilrock House | St. Brendan’s MHA
Vergemount & District MHA, South Dublin
BALLYFERMOT MHA They have 12 volunteers who
give their time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet distribution
• Organising social outings
CRUMLIN AND DISTRICT MHA They have 12
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Organising social outings
DRUMCONDRA AND DISTRICT MHA This MHA
meets every six to eight weeks at St. Vincent’s
Hospital, Fairview. They have 10 volunteers who give
their time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet distribution
• Social events in the local community and
further afield
• Small grants programme
DUN LAOGHAIRE MHA They have 10 volunteers who
give their time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• The core activity was supporting the weekly
social club in Dalkey for persons who are
actively managing a mental illness.
• Organisation and management of the preliminary
and county rounds of the National Public Speaking
Project.
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Organising a Christmas function
• Organising a respite holiday
Upwards of 40 persons attended the Club each week
and the Club became an integral part of their social
life. Chat, refreshments and many activities like, pool
and table tennis competitions, social outings and
holiday outings were organised.
FINGLAS MHA held meetings every six to eight
weeks at St. Helena’s Resource Centre, Finglas.
They have two volunteers who give their time to the
Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Assisting Fingal Wellness GroupInformation events
including talks and leaflet distribution
• Supporting local mental health units
FINGAL MHA continued to promote positive mental
health in its area. They have ten volunteers who give
their time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Organising a Christmas function
• Organising social outings
FRIENDS OF KILROCK HOUSE continued their
activities to enhance the quality of life of the
residents of Kilrock House. They have four volunteers
who give their time to the Association on a regular
basis.
Activities included:
• Regular visits by local school children to talk
with and entertain residents
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Organising a summer party
• Organising social outings
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
ST. BRENDAN’S MHA continued to support the local
HSE Mental Health services when possible. They have
four volunteers who give their time to the Association
on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet distribution
• Organising social outings
ST. LOMAN’S MHA They have three volunteers who
give their time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Organising social outings
The Association is linked with
Threshold Training Centre, Main Street, Tallaght.
They have six volunteers who give their time to the
Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• The Association supports the Wellbeing Café
project at the Threshold Training Centre.
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Organising social outings
• Organising respite activities
Two volunteers
who give their time to the Association on a regular
basis,continued their core activity of a financial
assistance programme which provided modest
financial support to individual clients and residences
of the local mental health services for a range of
activities including gym activities, courses, equipment
and social events.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Monthly provision of minor grants to service users
• Organising a respite holiday
23
24
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
Midlands, Kildare and West Wicklow
development officer: Finola Colgan
no. of local mhas: 12
Tullamore MHA | Birr MHA | Athlone MHA | Mullingar MHA | Longford MHA | Portlaoise MHA
Portarlington MHA | Rathdowny MHA | Celbridge MHA | Naas/Newbeidge/Kildare MHA
Friends of Larine House (Maynooth)
TULLAMORE MHA
• Day Trip to Galway City and Salthill and
social function in “Alans” Moate
exercise activity programme
• Social evening/barbeque for residents at
Birchwood House
•
• Maintenance of Sensory Garden in Birchwood
House. This work was acknowledge by Dr.
Katherine Brown Consultant Psychiatrist Laois
Offaly
• Purchase of sports equipment for mental health
services users
•
Contribution towards the publication and launch of
mental health service users own information book
on Bi-Polar and source of help aimed at sufferes
and their carers - SEEK
• Purchase of garden furniture for Birr Community
Mental Health Centre
Funded the making and launch of a Music CD
Kismet 11 following on the success of a similar
project in 2013 and co-ordinated by Community
Mental Health Centre staff
• National Lottery funding application applied for
to purchase sports equipment
ATHLONE MHA
• Fund Raiser in partnership with Athlone local Radio Station
• On going social supports to service users including HSE Residential units at Glenavon
• Development of a garden project
• National Lottery funding application applied for
to develop a Garden Project for residents in
Glenavon Houses
MH TRAINING.
BIRR MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
• Holiday project to Salthill Galway for 28 Mental
Health Service Users
• Day outings
• Social events- Christmas Social, Halloween
• Individual personal support to service users
• Purchase of annual visitor ticket for Birr Castle &
Demesne
• Purchase of sports equipment for HSE
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
MULLINGAR MHA
• Purchase of annual ticket for Belvedere House
• On going social support to patients in St. Loman’s
Hospital and community residences, Community
Mental Health Centre and Mental Health
Day services.
PORTLAOISE MHA
• Celebration of St. Fintan’s Day
•
• National Lottery funding application applied for
towards social activities
Input to the History of St. Loman’s Hospital
publication- section to include details of the role
of Mullingar MHA (then known as the North
Midlands MHA). Launched early in December.
• Funding for service users going on annual summer
holiday to Donabate and Day social outings
25
• Weekly Whist Drive in St. Fintan’s Hospital
• Monthly Saturday Friendly People Club
• Christmas Social with Birr MHA- Dooleys Hotel
PORTARLINGTON MHA
• Support to service users on holiday trip to
Ballybunnion
• Funding for arts and craft materials
• Personal supports- Christmas and Easter Hampers
for mental health service users
• National Lottery funding application applied for,
to provide social inclusion and mental health
promotion programmes
RATHDOWNEY MHA
• Organised farewell party for one of their valued
volunteer members leaving the community
LONGFORD MHA
• Funding of service users for local sports amenities
e.g. badminton, bowling
• Support for residents in Erkina House
• Organic fruit and vegetable garden project located
at the Community Mental Health Centre
• Organised Primary Minds Art Project on the
theme of “Friendship”
• Monthly “Birthday Bash” to celebrate service users
birthday in a locals in Longford town
• Christmas Social with Birr MHA – Dooley Hotel
• Longford Mental Health Association Annual
Volunteer Award ceremony
• Support for holiday and day outings for Residents to Ballybunion and Bunratty Castle Limerick
• National Lottery funding application applied for
towards social activities programme for residents
in Erkina House
• National Lottery funding application applied for
towards developing organise garden project and
purchase of a tunnel
LAOIS CONNECTS LAUNCH WITH ALISON MILLER
WELLBEING BOOKLET
26
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
CELBRIDGE MHA
• Funded garden project for residents in HSE
residential care unit
• Weekly Monday morning coffee in the Mill Centre
• Christmas social for residents in Grove House
• National Lottery funding application applied for tp
provide social activities and project development
NAAS/NEWBRIDGE/KILDARE MHA
• Funded Advocacy Training Programme delivered
by the Irish Advocacy Network staff for mental
health service users at HSE Harvest Centre
•
Support for Holiday and Social Outings and
Christmas Socials for mental health services users
> Lakeview Centre Naas
> Harvest Centre Kildare
> Platinum Centre Newbridge
> Bramble Lodge Newbridge
> Tus Nua
FRIENDS OF LARINE HOUSE (MAYNOOTH)
• Funded day outings
• Purchase of arts and crafts material
• Trip away to Hudson Bay Hotel Athlone for
residents prior to Christmas
• National Lottery funding application applied for
towards social activities programme
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
27
MID-WESTERN
development officer: michael noble
counties: Limerick City & County
WEST LIMERICK MHA
Activities included
• Organised a seminar with Enda Murphy
entitled ‘Promoting Emotional Wellbeing in
Teenagers’ in Newcastle West
THURLES MHA
Activities included
• Engagement with Coiltle Walking Training
• Support of local ‘Fáilte Club’
• submission of articles to local press around
positive mental health
KILMALLOCK AND DISTRICT MHA has 12 members,
some of whom are members of staff at the Ivy Gate
Day Centre in Kilmallock with the remainder being
interested local people.
Activities included
• Visiting clients of the Day Centre and also to
raise awareness of mental health and the issues
surrounding this in their community.
• Church Gate Collection
LIMERICK MHA based its work on the Southside of
the city. Its programmes attract people from all over
the county and countrywide. The Association has
varied projects.
Activities included
• The Le Chéile social club drop-in centre is one of
them and it has been in operation since May 2003.
Le Chéile aims to provide friendship and
opportunity to help people develop their talents
and coping skills.
• A week long schedule of mental health and
wellbeing activities that run throughout Mental
Health Week in October
LE CHEILE
NORTH LIBERTIES MHA is located in the Northside
of the city.
Activities included
• The Association’s primary focus is to provide
befriending and social activities to the residents of
the high and medium support hostels and users of
Belfield Day Centre.
• The Association continued to visit two residences
on a monthly basis with music and treats provided
for residents. A special effort was made for
birthdays.
NEWCASTLE-WEST LIMERICK MHA The Association
has five active members and meetings were held
monthly.
Activities included
• Public talks and workshops were organised to
promote awareness, openness and understanding
of mental health issues.
ABBEYFEALE MHA
Activities included
• Members set up a thrift shop whereby second
hand goods were sold with proceeds going to
support positive mental health
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
MID-WESTERN - Clare, Tipperary North
development officer: Elaine Cunniffe
no. of local mhas: 7
Ennis MHA, Clare | Nenagh and District MHA | North Clare MHA, Clare
Shannon MHA, Clare | Thurles MHA, Tipperary N. | West Clare MHA, Clare
ENNIS MHA serves a population of approximately
25,360 people. The primary focus of the association is
to support people with mental health difficulties and
to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in
the community.
Activities included:
• The D.I.Z Club is a social club for people who
experience mental health difficulties. Its aims is
to promote social interaction and reduce isolation.
It provides support to young people in recovery by
running internal and external activities including
arts and music projects and visits to the cinema,
theatre and sporting events.
• Emotions Peer Support Centre is funded by Ennis
Mental Health Association. It aims to empower
persons in their physical, emotional, spiritual and
mental development through generating an open,
non-judgemental environment. Examples of
activities in the centre include WRAP, Advocacy
workshops, Meditation, Tai Chi, Laughter Yoga and
Mindfulness.
•
Failte Isteach Provides assisted housing for those
with long term mental health problems. Currently
there are 2 apartments in Ennis which support 6
residents in total. Two Genio carers are employed
to look after residents and the rehab team support
residents through the Rehab Team.
NORTH CLARE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
North Clare Mental Health Association covers a
large rural population where many clients are living
alone and are at risk of social isolation. Many of the
association’s activities are aimed at encouraging
integration, awareness and improving facilities of
users.
Activities included:
• Fund Public Lectures by local professionals
in mental health area
• Support the local art projects in the local day
centre
• Involvement in the clients social club
• Fund facilitators in Ennistymon Mental Health
Social Club
• Fund refurbishment of Prague House Hostel
• Annual church gate collection in North Clare
• Support annual ‘Friends of Clare’ Mental Health
Golf Outing’
WEST CLARE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
The West Clare Mental Health Association supports
people with Mental Health Difficulties and promotes
positive mental health in the community in both rural
and urban areas.
Activities included:
• The West Clare Young Peoples Club is a social club
for people who experience mental health
difficulties. It continues to support participants
through social activities and self-care and personal
development programmes
SHANNON MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
This Association has in the past ran Mental Health
Talks in the community. Currently they are in need of
new volunteers.
ELAINE AND STUART O’KEEFE.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
ARAS FOLLAIN
Aras Follain Peer Support Centre, located in Nenagh,
aims to reach as many of the population as possible
living in the North Tipperary community who are
experiencing mental health difficulties or who are at
risk through isolation, disability or unemployment.
Groups that meet in Aras Follain are as follows:
> Mens Shed a space for men to work on similar
interest projects and support one another
> GROW meet weekly this is a peer support group
who experience depression using the
12 step programme
>
>
Spectrum meet monthly this is a peer support
group for parents whose children are on the
autistic spectrum
COPE peer support group meet weekly and
learn about coping skills, developing our
WRAP plan and practising Mindfulness
> Social Circle weeks weekly for social activities
for those with mental health difficulties and
reduces social isolation
> Mums on the move meet weekly and supports
mothers around parenting, coping and mental
health. Parenting courses are offered.
> Young Girls Group meets weekly and is a space for
young girls to make friends
> Welcome Brunch is held weekly and were people
can eat and chat in a friendly environment
TJ ARAS FOLLAIN VOLUNTEER AND
LAURA THOMPSON SOCIAL WORKER
29
THURLES MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Thurles Mental Health Association supports people
with mental health difficulties and promotes positive
mental health
Activities included:
• The Failte club is a social club for people who
experience mental health difficulties, continue
to promote positive mental health and to assist
participants in socialisation and integration
through its various activities.
• The annual Christmas party and trips away are
ongoing activities which the MHA continues to
support
30
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
NORTH EASTERN - Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan
development officer: Seán McKiernan
no. of local mhas: 12
Bailieborough MHA, Cavan | Ballybay MHA, Monaghan | Carrickmacross MHA, Monaghan
Castleblaney MHA, Monaghan | Cavan & West Cavan MHA | Cootehill MHA, Cavan
Drogheda MHA, Louth | Dundalk MHA, Louth | Kells MHA, Meath | Monaghan MHA, Monaghan
Navan MHA, Meath | South Meath MHA, Meath
BAILIEBOROUGH MHA helped to sponsor and
promote the County Cavan Public Speaking Final
again in 2014. Other activities the Association were
involved in included:
• Productive working relationship between the
MHA and the staff and clients of the Bailieborough
Mental Health Day Centre. The Association
organised or sponsored regular parties, day trips
and holidays during 2014.
• East Cavan Primary School Essay Project for 5th
and 6th class students is going from strength to
strength.
• Main source of funding for the MHA is the Annual
Round Table Quiz and National Lottery grant.
•
Regular monthly meetings are held in the
Bailieborough Community Resource House who
also hosted an information stand for World Mental
Health Week.
BALLYBAY MHA continued their befriending project
at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home. Other activities the
Association were involved in included:
• Church Gate Collection, an important fundraiser
for Ballybay MHA; areas included Ballybay, Latton,
Tullycorbet, Doohamlet and Ballintra. There was a
very big response from the community.
• Ballybay Community College TY class took part in
the Public Speaking Project again this year, as well
as supporting World Mental Health Day.
•
Christmas Party was held and a monthly social
club on a Friday morning was set up which has
been a major boost to volunteering and profile in
the area.
CARRICKMACROSS MHA continued their befriending
project at Castleross Nursing Home, St. Mary’s
Castleblayney and Clones Nursing Home. Other
activities the Association were involved in included:
• Regular visitation to Carrickmacross Day Centre
and sponsorship of activities there.
• Coffee morning held to mark World Mental Health
Day 2014.
• Youth Club supervision by MHA volunteers.
• Long established Carrickmacross/South Monaghan
Primary School Essay Project ran again
successfully in 2014 with good local media
coverage.
• Volunteers promoted Monaghan MHA’s Cavan
Monaghan Art Project and MHI national projects
locally.
• Regular monthly meetings.
CASTLEBLAYNEY MHA continued their befriending
activities with St. Mary’s Hospital.
CAVAN MHA – The Development Officer maintained
contact with a network of volunteers around Cavan
Town, its hinterland and West Cavan. There was
ongoing liaison with local organisations; Disabled
GO, CRAIC Advisory Group, Cavan Community
and Voluntary Forum, Dept. of Community and
Enterprise, Cavan County Council, Cavan Wheelchair
Association, Comhairle na nÓg Youth Forum, and
Cavan Youthreach on mental health issues. Other
activities the Association were involved in included:
• Regular coverage of the Development Officer
on Cavan Community Radio and CavanTV.com to
raise issues regarding mental health, exam
stress etc.
• Green Ribbon promotion event in Cavan 3rd Level
Institute during May 2014 - Green Ribbon Walk and
Talk event
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
COOTEHILL MHA continued their Befriending to
Cavan General and St. Davnet’s Hospital, Monaghan.
Other activities the Association were involved in
included:
• Public Speaking; co-sponsor County Cavan Final
with Bailieborough MHA.
• World Mental Health Day; distribution of literature
to local public places.
• Christmas Party and Summer Tea Party for clients.
• Sponsorship for service user needs as requested.
DROGHEDA MHA - Efforts to relaunch Drogheda
MHA mainly focussed on the local day centre run
who are trying to start a Befriending Project.
DUNDALK MHA continued
their Befriending and Bingo
projects in the local hostels
every two weeks for clients.
Other activities the
Association were involved in
included:
• Advocatng for service
users needs and rights in
the light of constraining
budgets.
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MONAGHAN MHA sponsors the County Monaghan
Public Speaking preliminary rounds and county
final every year, involving at least six schools from
the County. Other activities the Association were
involved in included:
• Essay/Poetry project, which always attracts several
hundred entries from local primary schools in
North Monaghan, took place again in 2014.
•
Church Gate Collection took place in 2014. A
generous response from the local community
was received again reflecting the good work of the
organisation and its strong local reputation.
• Co. Monaghan Art Project which is open to all
second level schools in Monaghan took place.
• The MHA maintained good relations with the
SOLAS service user run centre in the grounds of
St. Davnet’s Hospital.
• Regular monthly
meetings.
KELLS MHA continued its befriending to Climber Hall
Day Centre on a regular basis. Other activities the
Association were involved in included:
• Sponsored Public Speaking Project in County
Meath
• Provided donations towards service user activities
as requested, e.g. flower arranging, First Aid etc.
• MHA sponsored Christmas party.
• Donations to service users in need ongoing.
• Regular meetings.
RECOVERY CONFERENCE
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
NAVAN MHA held their Social Club every Tuesday &
Thursday evening, going from strength to strength.
There was an average turnout of 50; Tuesday nights
were especially busy. The Development Officer
attends whenever possible to provide advice and
support.
Other activities the Association were involved in
included:
• Social Housing for 6 people at Flowerhill, Navan
• Provision of 2 buses for social outings.
• Now regular “High Nellie” cycle on St. Patrick’s Day in aid of MHA.
• Christmas Party was held in the Newgrange
Hotel again in 2014 and was a great success.
Mind “urself”
> This is the 6th year that Mayo MHA has part
sponsored this project that is operated by The
Mayo/Leitrim ETB
> This project was set up for pre leaving cert
students of ETB schools in Mayo in conjunction
with the Early School Leaving Programme
> It is highly successful in that it promotes positive
Mental Health through a number of media.
Students and teachers thank Mayo MHA for their
sponsorship
Information talks
> During the year we have provided information
stands and given talks on maintaining positive
mental health to a number of groups.
SOUTH MEATH MHA continued its Befriending
every fortnight to Tara Suite, Dunshaughlin
> Among those were:
MAYO MHA
> Information stands at Jobs expo both in
Ballina and Kiltimagh
MAYO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
> Mayo MHA has a direct involvement in the new
Mayo Youth Mental Health Service which is helping
young people who are experiencing Mental Health
difficulties.
> Talks to Back to Work Groups
> Mayo International Cup
> Mayo GAA u16 Easter Camp
> Killala Community Group
> The Association is represented on the Management
Committee.
CONOR CUSACK TALK FOR MAYO MHA STUDENT
MENTAL HEALTH BRANCH IN GMIT CASTLEBA
OPENING OF MINDSPACE MAYO
Mayo GAA u16 Easter Football and hurling Camp in
partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association
Niall Dunne, Development Officer for Mayo Mental
Health Association and Padraic Carolon, Senior
Administrator for the HSE and Head of the Coaching
Officers for Mayo GAA organised the Mayo GAA
Health and Wellbeing for the Football and Hurling
Easter Camp for U16 players in County Mayo. They
incorporate Mental Health Awareness workshops
throughout the three days.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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PJ Murphy Chairperson of Mayo Mental Health
Association along with all its members have been
hugely supportive and without them the camp would
not be possible.
In this year’s Camp they included Media Training,
Psychology and Sport and Injury Prevention.
• The programme also included :Mental Health
Awareness talks
• Awareness around Diabetics
• Drugs and Alcohol
• James Horan also spoke “On what it takes to be a
Inter County Footballer”
• The camp comprised of 90 players and 13 coaches
together for the 3 days.
• The three days last year proved hugely successful
and we are received National Coverage for the idea
and the work that is taking place within Mayo
around education on Mental Health and Player
Wellfare.
MMHA, TURLOUGH 8K RUN
Ballaghadeereen Mental Health Association
St Nathys Positive Mental Health Awareness week in
April 2014
•
•
They launched a new App called “Lets get Mental “.
Tus Workers Group from Roscommon CDP agreed
to erect a structure which will hold the banner in
the front of the school that is both visible to
students and the public
• There were 8 different organisations available
along with Dietician, Gym Instructors and
Meditation demonstrations.
CASTLEBAR V MILLWALL WITH MMH
Parke GAA 8k run for Mayo MHA
Niall Dunne Development officer organised Park
Keelouges Crimlin GAA Club in conjunction with the
Mayo Mental Health Association 2nd annual 8 K fun
run & walk on Sunday, 23rd February 2014. The race
commenced 2 Midday.
• The aim of the run is to raise awareness around
Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing and to raise
money for both organisations.
• This year’s race was going to have a large number
of runners and walkers. We had over 200
runners and walkers participate.
ST JOSEPHS MENTAL HEALTH AWARNESS WEEK
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
Ballaghaderreen Vigil to mark World Suicide Day
• A public vigil was held in the garden of
remembrance in Ballaghaderreen on Wednesday
10th September at 7.30pm to mark World
SuicideDay.
•
This event was organized by Community Resource
Centre, Ballaghaderreen Mental Health Association
and County Roscommon Living Links. Michael
Creaton Chairman of Ballaghaderreen open
the vigil.
• A number of reflection were read and songs were
song by the local choir
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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NORTH WESTERN - Donegal
development officer: Bill Vaughan
no. of local mhas: 10
Ballyshannon and District MHA | Carndonagh MHA (GTI) | Carrick MHA | Clonmany MHA
Cloughaneely MHA | Get Together Inishowen | Dungloe MHA | Killybegs MHA
Letterkenny MHA | Moville MHA
MOVILLE MHA
DUNGLOE MHA
Moville MHA continues to provide support to many
people throughout Inishowen as well as people from
Derry. They have ten volunteers who give their time
to the Association on a regular basis.
The Dungloe MHA supports the Day Centre in the
town.
Activities included:
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• Providing funding for local day centre and
WorkLink group
• Organising a Christmas function
• Organising social outings including local walks and
coffee mornings
LETTERKENNY MHA
Letterkenny MHA maintains strong links with Cara
House. They have seven volunteers who give their
time to the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• A daily drop in centre offering tea, coffee and a
chat
• Information events including talks and leaflet
distribution
• A pub quiz
• Organising social outings including walks and
coffee mornings
Activities included:
• Annual church gate collection
CARRICK MHA
Carrick MHA have strong links with the local
community – providing support and voluntary work
to the local housing project and Day Centre. They
have five volunteers who give their time to the
Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Volunteering at the Day Centre
• Funding entertainment for the Day Centre
• Annual church gate collection
KILLYBEGS MHA
The Killybegs MHA is small in numbers.
Activities included:
• Providing funding for local initiatives
• Annual church gate collection
• Hosted SafeTalk events
BALLYSHANNON MHA
• Provided funding for several local projects
Ballyshannon MHA has been meeting on a monthly
basis. They have six volunteers who give their time to
the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Organising a mental health walk
• Providing funding to host a Stress Control seminar
• Annual church gate collection
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
CLONMANY MHA
Clonmany MHA mainly support the Colmcille Housing
Project and Day Centre in Clonmany. They have eight
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Volunteering at the Day Centre
• Funding entertainment for the Day Centre
• Annual church gate collection
CARNDONAGH MHA GTI (Get Together Inishowen)
Get Together Inishowen is made up of members who
mostly have completed the Worklink programme.
They have 26 volunteers who give their time to the
Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Annual trip away, this year was to Westport
• Organised a pub quiz
• Day trips to Belfast and Derry
• Annual BBQ
• Annual church gate collection
The club is well structured and supported well by the
Worklink staff. Because many of the group would
have some form learning disability or mental health
problem, they have developed a great bond within
the group and feel confident to take on responsible
roles such as chairman and secretary. The group
have great initiative and have organised several fund
raising activities throughout the year. The overnight
social trips away is always carefully planned with
everyone being allowed to have their say in choosing
where they go.
DONEGAL MIND WELLNESS
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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NORTH WESTERN - Leitrim, Sligo
development officer: Rachel Reilly
no. of local mhas: 5
Ballymote MHA, Sligo | Breffni MHA, Leitrim | Easkey MHA, Sligo
Manorhamilton MHA, Leitrim | Sligo MHA, Sligo
BALLYMOTE MHA
This well-established association has very strong
connections with HSE Mental Health Service staff
and with service users in the area. They have four
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Financial assistance provided for people with
mental health problems living locally and in group
homes
• Social support to service users in the Ballymote
area including visits to group homes and
organisign social events and occasions.
• Annual church gate collection
SLIGO MHA’S social housing project, Ard Na Greine
in Sligo Town, supported by volunteers, provides
assistance to nine people with mental health
problems, as required, depending on the individual
need of the clients. They have 12 volunteers who give
their time to the Association on a regular basis.
EASKEY MHA volunteers have a close working
relationship with the HSE mental health service staff.
Some of the services they provide include:
They have seven volunteers who give their time to
the Association on a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Provide housing for 12 people in Radharc na Mara
– volunteers maintain the houses providing general
support and care to residents.
• A horticultural project including a polytunnel
where they grow their own vegetables and plants
• Recreational and social actives for the Radharc na
Mara housing project
• Financial assistance for people with mental health
difficulties in the Easkey area
Activities included:
• Celebrating Ard na Greine’s 20th Anniversary
in March 2014 with a blessing of the premises and
refreshments afterwards
• BEO Befriending Project with monthly events
organised for approx 40 people.
• Annual church gate collection took place in
September
LEITRIM SERVICES LEAFLET
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
MANORHAMILTON MHA work in close association
with Kilgar Day Care Club, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim,
which provides day care services to those in need
in the North Leitrim area. They have four volunteers
who give their time to the Association on a regular
basis.
Activities included:
• Funding day trip for local service users including
Novena of Hope, The Graan, shopping trips to
Enniskillen, annual trip to Knock and to Beleek
Pottery
• Facilitation of arts and crafts groups, creative
writing and other events
• Annual mental health table quiz
• Christmas Day dinner in Bee Park Manorhamilton
BREFFNI MHA have continued their health promotion
activities for people living in the local area especially
those managing a mental illness. They have eight
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Annual summer social gathering in Breffni Forest
Park with music, sing-song and lunch
• Development of one page leaflet with Leitrim
Development Company outlining contact details of
local mental health and wellbeing organisations
www.alive2thrive.ie
• Sponsored a series of self-help books on low
mood, depression, worry, stress and anxiety
• Organised a Christmas party for clients attending
Drumsana Day Centre
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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SOUTH EASTERN - Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary,
Waterford, West Waterford, Wexford
development officer: Linda Thorpe
no. of local mhas: 7
Kilkenny MHA, Kilkenny | South Tipperary MHA, Tipperary
West Tipperary MHA/Tipperary Town MHA | Carlow MHA, Carlow
Waterford MHA, Waterford | West Waterford MHA, Waterford | Wexford MHA, Wexford
CARLOW MHA was established in February 2010.
The committee consists of community leaders,
educators, HSE staff and people interested in positive
mental health promotion. The volunteers worked very
diligently to establish and promote the Association.
The organisers contributed to newspaper articles
on Mental Health Ireland and CMHA and also gave
a radio interview. They have 18 volunteers who give
their time to the Association on a regular basis.
KILKENNY MHA is a long established Association
with very proactive volunteers. Social housing
is one of the key projects of this organisation. It
operates 5 family type houses throughout Kilkenny
providing accommodation for 44 residents. The
houses enjoy urban settings, allowing residents to be
afforded accommodation that is both comfortable
and appropriate in a setting that allows a full social
integration in the community.
Activities included:
• Radio ads throughout the month of January with
positive mental health messages
Activities included:
• KMHA held their annual Dinner Dance in the
Springhill Hotel. Almost 90 service users, families
and staff were in attendance.
• Produced 5,000 beer mats for St Patricks Day
with positive mental health messages. These were
distributed to pubs in Carlow
• Organised the Carlow Stiletto Sprint with local
men dressing as women and in high heels doing a
sprinting race up the main street!
• Carlow MHA have a strong presence on
social media with a very active facebook page,
twitter account and their own website www
carlowmentalhealth.ie.
• KMHA held their annual BBQ in Hotel Kilkenny in
early June. One of the biggest crowds ever
attended with in excess of 140 people there.
• KMHA support social recreational activities for
service users on a ongoing basis throughout
the year.
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
SOUTH TIPPERARY MHA is a long established
Association with a very active core group of
volunteers.
Activities included:
• Providing FETAC accredited training and educatio
to 70+ trainees at Cluain Training Centre under the
auspices of S.T. MHA.
• A full literacy programme available to compliment
the other courses including arts/crafts,
upholstering, health and fitness and relaxation.
• Meals on Wheels for the local community
• Garden project
• Funding for parties and Christmas, Easter and
summer.
WATERFORD MHA They have 16 volunteers who
give their time to the Association on a regular basis.
The Association lost two of their management team
in 2014; George Heaslip and Michael Fanning retired
following a long-serving commitment to Waterford
MHA.
With new personnel in place in late 2014 meant the
Association could continue to grow from strength to
strength.
Activities included:
• Raising funds to support patients in the HSE
residential units
• Restoration of the Befriending Project
• A public conference on Schizophrenia
COFFEE MORNING
WMHDAY
WEST TIPPERARY MHA was established in 2009. It
is a very vibrant Association with a core group of very
active and dedicated volunteers.
Activities included:
• A week long schedule of activities during Mental
Health Week in October that involved the whole
community.
WEST WATERFORD MHA was re-established in 2011
and has been busy recruiting new volunteers to the
Association. Links have been strengthened with the
local community services
Activities included:
• Local members contacted the three libraries in the
locality, Dungarvan, Lismore and
Cappaquin and they agreed to distribute MHI
literature with their books for the week. This
venture proved to be a success and created huge
awareness.
• MHI literature was distributed at all clinics in the
West Waterford MHS area.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
WEXFORD MHA.
Wexford MHA is a long established Association with
a very active core group of volunteers. They have 16
volunteers who give their time to the Association on
a regular basis.
Activities included:
• Supporting local people in the mental health
services with social outings and training
• Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing
via information leaflets, school visits and
information days
• Developed a new office, information and training
centre in Wexford Town at 5/6 Crescent Mall,
Henrietta Street
• The Association has employed a Vocational
Support Officer through Genio Funding
• The Association has employed an Administrative
Support Officer through HSE funding
• Manage a Wexford Mental Health Association
facebook page
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
SOUTHERN - KERRY
development officer: Dan O’Connor
no. of local mhas: 9
Kerry MHA | Castleisland MHA | East Kerry MHA | Iveragh MHA | Kenmare MHA
Killarney MHA | Killorglin MHA | Listowel MHA | Tralee MHA | West Kerry MHA
In 2014 the Dan O’Connor,Development Officer
for the Kerry region retired from the HSE and the
post has not yet been replaced. . Since then the
Kerry based MHA’s have been carrying on with their
volunteering and fundraising locally.
The MHA’s in Kerry all operate as branches of Kerry
MHA. This way of working brings the MHA’s together
on projects throughout the year and encourages the
volunteers to share ideas and experiences.
Caslteisland MHA’s second chance shop is going
from strength to strength and has become a focal
point in the Castleisland main street. The shop offers
visitors the opportunity to sit and have a cup of tea
and a chat in their chill out section where they also
keep information leaflets about mental health and
wellbeing.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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WESTERN - Galway City and County
development officer: Nicola Morley
no. of local mhas: 8
Ballinasloe MHA | Clifden MHA | Galway MHA | Gort MHA
Loughrea MHA | Mountbellew MHA | Portumna and District MHA | Tuam and District MHA
MARY ROSE RUSHE SECTRETARY MOUNTBELLEW
MHA
It was with great sadness that we learned in
November of the passing of one of our longest
standing and most committed volunteers, Mary Rose
Rushe, who was the Secretary of Mountbellew MHA
for many many years.
Mary Rose was a huge supporter and advocate of
the Public Speaking Project and used to visit all
the schools in the Mountbellew area over the years
promoting participation in the project. She was very
committed to promoting positive mental health. She
was a fantastic volunteer and great to work with. She
will be deeply missed.
GALWAY MHA
May 2014: Lorna McMahon, former Chairperson of
Galway MHA held her annual open garden fundraising
event in aid of Galway MHA. Green Ribbons were
available during the garden open days.
Galway MHA is also very involved in social inclusion
activities such as monthly cinema outings, weekly
befriending visits at the day services, supporting the
summer outings for service users, and fundraising.
Galway MHA is actively involved in the areas of
housing provision for service users providing
accommodation for over 40 clients when at full
occupancy. The MHA also ensures the houses are
maintained to the very highest of standards.
BALLINASLOE MHA
During 2014 Ballinasloe MHA became involved in the
East Galway ARI initiative. This is a great partnership
development for both the Association and for the ARI
group.
The Association met with Orla Barry and presented
her with a collage of images from the Community Art
Initiative that the MHA organised in 2011.
GORT MHA
Gort MHA are involved in the provision of housing
but there has been some difficulties with this in the
recent past. The Development Officer, together with
the Chairperson and Tommy Carroll, Finance and
Governance Manager worked on resolving a number
of issues throughout 2014.
WALLET CARDS LAUNCH IN NUIG
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
Mental Health Irelands Team 2014
The work of MHI during the year was supported by a committed team of staff working
under the direction of the CEO.
Mental Health Ireland Staff at December 2014
Orla Barry
Chief Executive Officer
Tommy Carroll
Finance and Governance Manager
Barbara Davis National Projects Manager
Patricia Bourke
Head of Training and Development
Jill O’Herlihy
Head of Communications
Elaine Corcoran
Administrative Officer
Lisa Manley
Administrative Officer
Paula Moore
Accounts Officer
Development Officer Team
Elaine Cunniffe
Mid West (Clare, Tipperary North)
Linda Power Hogan
Mid West (Limerick)
Finola Colgan
Midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath)
Michael Cummins
East (West Dublin, Kildare/ West Wicklow, parts of Dublin North)
Michael Noble
East (Dublin South / Wicklow parts of Dublin North)
Bill Vaughan
North West (Donegal)
Rachel Reilly
North West (Sligo & Leitrim)
Nicola Morley-Kilmartin West (Galway)
Sean McKiernan
North East (Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan)
Linda Thorpe
South East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford)
Niall Dunne
West (Mayo, Roscommon)
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
local mental health associations
& honorary secretaries
CARLOW
Carlow MHA
Niamh O Shúilleabhain,
Cois na Bheara,
Montgomery Street,
Carlow.
CAVAN
West Clare MHA
Ms. Noreen Kelleher,
McMahon & Williams Solicitors,
Frances Street,
Kilrush,
Co. Clare.
Tel: 065-9051009
Bailieborough MHA
Ms. Audrey Rogers,
Duneena,
Bailieborough,
Co. Cavan.
Tel: 042-9665239
DONEGAL
Cavan MHA
Mr. Sean McKiernan,
C/o Mental Health Ireland,
2 Marine Tce.,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.
Tel. 01-2841166
Buncrana & District MHA
Ms. Helen Rees-Doherty,
GTI Club, Worklink Northwest,
Ard Chlochar,
Carndonagh,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9329718
CLARE
Ennis MHA
Mr. Tom McGrath,
‘Coole Lodge’, Francis Street,
Ennis,
Co. Clare.
Tel: 065-6846922
North Clare MHA
Ms. Maureen McGrath,
“Lickaune”,
Kilnamona,
Ennis,
Co. Clare.
Tel: 065-6836505
Shannon MHA
Mr. Anthony McMahon,
20 Tullyvarrage Hill,
Shannon,
Co. Clare.
086-2359277
Ballyshannon MHA
Ms. Danielle Lyster,
28 Marian Villas,
Donegal Town,
Co. Donegal.
Carrick MHA
Ms. Maeve Carr,
Carrick Day Care Centre,
Carrick,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9738322
Clonmany MHA
Ms. Marie Davenport,
10, Gaddyduff,
Clonmany,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9376582
Cloughaneely MHA
Ms. Teresa Kenny,
Ballyness,
Falcarragh,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9135236
Donegal Town MHA
Ms. Julie Connaghan,
Rowanfield House,
Clar Road,
Donegal Town,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9721910
Dungloe MHA
Ms. Deborah Hegarty,
Main Street,
Dungloe,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9521386
Killybegs MHA
Mrs. Mary Connaghan,
Five Points,
Killybegs,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9741968
Letterkenny MHA
Ms. Susan McCauley,
Cara Hse. Family Resource Ctre.,
Market Square,
Letterkenny,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9123986
Moville MHA
Ms. Mary Farren,
Serenity House,
Moville,
Co. Donegal.
Tel: 074-9382945
DUBLIN
Ballyfermot MHA
Ms. Kate Downey,
Unit 4, Cherry Orchard Hospital,
Ballyfermot Road,
Dublin 10.
Tel: 01-6436940
Crumlin & District MHA
Mr. Stephen Yeates,
101 Brandon Rd.,
Drimnagh,
Dublin 12.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
Drumcondra & District MHA
Ms. Sile McGrane,
Tara House,
140 St. Laurence Rd.,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Dublin 15 MHA
Fr. Dan Joe O’Mahony,
The Oratory,
Blanchardstown Centre
At the Yellow Entrance,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.
Tel: 01-8200915
Dun Laoghaire MHA
Ms. Janice Huet,
32 Rowanbyrn,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01-2892413
Fingal MHA
Ms. Paula Dwyer,
Inch Community Residence,
Balrothery,
Balbriggan,
Co. Dublin.
Finglas MHA
Ms. Iris Rusk,
29 Huntstown Court,
Mulhuddart,
Dublin 15.
Tel: 01-8217494
Friends of Kilrock House MHA
C/o Michael Noble,
Mental Health Ireland,
2 Marine Tce.,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01-2841166
Hearth & Mind
Barbara Davis,
c/o Mental Health Ireland,
2 Marine Tce.,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.
Tel. 01-2841166
St. Brendan’s MHA
Mr. Danny Connellan,
Connolly Norman House,
224 North Circular Road,
Dublin 7.
Tel: 01-8102935
St. Loman’s MHA
Ms. Susan Kehoe,
Occupational Therapy Dept.,
St. Loman’s Hospital,
Palmerstown,
Dublin 20.
Tel: 01-6207414
Tallaght MHA
Ms. Claire O’Regan,
Adult Mental Health Service,
Sheaf House, Exchange Hall,
Belgard Square North,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.
Tel: 01-4635200
Vergemount & District MHA
Mr. Brian Miles,
C/o Glenmalure Day Hospital,
Milltown Road,
Milltown,
Dublin 6.
Tel: 01-2830388
GALWAY
Ballinasloe MHA
Ms. Jackie Eastwood,
“Roselands”,
Portnick,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Tel: 090-9644920
Clifden MHA
Ms. Bernadette Conneely,
Elm Tree Centre,
Galway Road,
Clifden,
Co. Galway.
Galway MHA
Ms. Emily Martin,
Danesfield House,
23 Sea Road,
Galway.
Tel: 091-587841
Gort MHA
Mr. Thomas Baker,
Blackwater,
Gort,
Co. Galway.
Loughrea MHA
Ms. Anne Cuddy,
Kilnadeema,
Loughrea,
Co. Galway.
Tel: 091-841193
Mountbellew MHA
Ms. Catriona Long,
3 Pairc nag Con,
Mountbellew,
Co. Galway.
Tuam & District MHA
Mr. John Feely,
C/o Mental Health Information
Ctre.,
Bishop Street,
Tuam,
Co. Galway.
KERRY
Castleisland MHA*
Ms. Ann O’Callaghan,
Shanowen Day Centre,
Old Convent Lane,
Castleisland,
Co. Kerry.
Tel: 066-7143782
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
East Kerry MHA
Ms. Áine Carolan,
Shinnagh,
Rathmore,
Co. Kerry.
Iveragh MHA*
Ms. Jackie O’Sullivan,
Renard West,
Caherciveen,
Co. Kerry.
Tel: 066-9472408
Kenmare MHA*
Mr. Phil Coffey,
Gortamullen,
Kenmare,
Co. Kerry.
Tel: 064-40783
Kerry MHA
Ms. Joan McCarthy,
“Birchdale”,
Dunrine,
Kilcummin,
Killarney,
Co. Kerry.
Killarney MHA*
Ms. Valerie McGee,
21 Hawthorn Avenue,
Killarney,
Co. Kerry.
Killorglin MHA*
Ms. Joanna Fitzpatrick,
Curaheen,
Glenbeigh,
Co. Kerry.
Listowel & District MHA*
Ms. Anne Enright,
3 Clieveragh Park,
Listowel,
Co. Kerry.
Tralee MHA*
Ms. Anne O’Brien,
3 Canal View,
Springfield,
Ballyvelly, Tralee,
Co. Kerry.
Tel: 066-7124545
West Kerry MHA*
Ms. Myrna Beardsworth,
Kilshannig West,
Castlegregory,
Co. Kerry.
* Branches of Kerry MHA
KILDARE
Athy MHA
Ms. Ann Phelan,
C/o Athy Health Centre,
Woodstock Street,
Athy,
Co. Kildare.
Tel: 059-8633500
Celbridge MHA
Ms. Ann O’Connell,
138 The Grove,
Celbridge,
Co. Kildare.
Tel: 01-6272604
Friends of Larine House MHA
Ms. Elaine Meade,
Larine House,
The Square,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare.
Tel: 01-6289266
Naas/Newbridge & Kildare MHA
Ms. Aine Daly,
Bramble Lodge,
Station Road,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare.
Tel: 045-5434058
KILKENNY
Kilkenny MHA
Ms. Christina Hickey,
St. Canice’s Hospital,
Dublin Road,
Kilkenny.
Tel: 056-7784474
LAOIS
Portarlington MHA
Ms. Catherine McCann,
“Rose Villa”,
Ballymorris,
Portarlington,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 0502-23686
Portlaoise MHA
Ms. Mary Daly,
41 Marian Avenue,
Portlaoise,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 0502-22736
Rathdowney MHA
Ms. Susan Hayes,
Newtownperry,
Rathdowney,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 0505-46452
LEITRIM
Breffni MHA
Ms. Mary Carroll,
Clooncarne,
Bornacoola,
Co. Leitrim.
Manorhamilton MHA
Mrs. Carmel Loughlin,
Lisgorman,
Killorgue,
Co. Leitrim.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
Navan MHA
Ms. Kathy Kearney,
5 Lambartstown Manor,
Kilmessan,
Co. Meath
LIMERICK
LOUTH
Kilmallock & District MHA
Ms. Ann Zray,
5 Cois Abhann,
Kilmallock,
Co. Limerick.
Drogheda MHA
Ms. Aine o’hEochaidh, A/ Sec.,
Ballymakenny,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth.
Limerick MHA
Ms. Marie Breen,
56 Monaleen Heights,
Castletroy,
Limerick.
Dundalk MHA
Ms. Annette Durnin,
Ladywell Day Centre,
Louth County Hospital,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth.
South Meath MHA
C/o Sean McKiernan,
Mental Health Ireland,
2 Marine Tce.,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01-2841166
MAYO
MONAGHAN
North Liberties MHA
Ms. Jessica Griffin,
The Old Mill,
Bruree,
Co. Limerick.
Raheen & District MHA
Ms. Sally Howard,
Rehabilitation Unit,
St. Joseph’s Hospital,
Mulgrave Street,
Limerick.
Tel: 061-397080
West Limerick MHA
Teresa Ahern Bourke,
Churchtown Day Hospital,
Newcastle West,
Co. Limerick.
Tel: 069-61799
LONGFORD
Longford MHA
Mrs. Ann Howard,
Creenagh,
Co. Longford.
Tel: 043-46903 (h) / 46992 (w)
Ballina MHA*
Mr. Cathal O’Shea,
Ballina Mental Health Centre,
Mercy Road,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo.
Mayo MHA
Ms. Kathleen McHale,
c/o Marsh House,
Newtown,
Castlebar,
Co. Mayo.
Tel: 094-9023350
Westport MHA*
Ms. Marie O’Connor,
Carrowbeg,
Kilmeena,
Westport,
Co. Mayo.
Tel: 098-41599
* Branches of Mayo MHA
MEATH
Kells MHA
Ms. Patti Manning,
(Chairperson),
31 Maple St.,
Kells,
Co. Meath.
Ballybay MHA
Ms. Sharon Caraher,
Knocknamaddy,
Ballybay,
Co. Monaghan.
Carrickmacross MHA
Ms. Marion Marron,
Ardee Road,
Carrickmcross,
Co. Monaghan.
Castleblaney MHA
c/o Sean McKiernan,
Mental Health Ireland,
2 Marine Tce.,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01-2841166
Monaghan MHA
Ms. Emer Brennan,
Mullaghloughan,
Glaslough,
Co. Monaghan.
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MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Annual Report 2014
OFFALY
Birr MHA
Ms. Claire Hernon,
C/o Community Mental Health
Ctre.,
Wilmer Road,
Birr,
Co. Offaly.
Tel: 057-9120576
Tullamore MHA
Ms. Catherine Conlon,
4 Davitt Street,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly.
ROSCOMMON
Ballaghaderreen MHA
Ms. Patricia Madden,
C/o Northwest Roscommon CDP,
Market Street,
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon.
Tel: 094-9862565
Castlerea MHA
Ms. Mary Reilly,
Honorary Secretary,
Knockroe,
Castlerea,
Co. Roscommon.
Tel: 094-9620656 (H)
Roscommon MHA
Mr. Niall Dunne,
Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 062 55489
SLIGO
Ballymote MHA
Mrs. Philomena Fagan,
1 Cuain Iosa,
Ballymote,
Co. Sligo.
Tel: 071-9189388
Easkey MHA
Mrs. Margaret Kenny,
Carrowpadden,
Rathlee,
Easkey,
Co. Sligo.
Tel: 096-49076
WESTMEATH
Athlone MHA
Ms. Joan Halpin Hall,
42 Rathbawn Road,
Kilgarve,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Mullingar MHA
Ms. Nodlaig Coffey,
Rehab Unit, St. Loman’s Hosp.,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath.
Tel: 044-40191
WEXFORD
Wexford MHA
Mr. Peadar Moulton,
c/o Samantha Hassey,
St. Senan’s Hospital,
Enniscorthy,
Co. Wexford.
Tel: 053-9243200
WICKLOW
Arklow MHA
Ms. Samantha Seabrooke Earls,
Portview Day Centre,
Knockenrahan Ind. Estate,
Arklow,
Co. Wicklow.
Tel: 0402-33844
Bray MHA
Ms. Siobhan Horan,
7B Oldcourt Park,
Bray,
Co. Wicklow.
Friends of Newcastle MHA
Ms. Suzan Odlum,
C/o Newcastle Hospital,
Greystones,
Co. Wicklow.
Tel: 01-2015120
Wicklow MHA
Mr. Charlie Burke,
12 The Courtyard,
Friars Hill,
Wicklow Town,
Co. Wicklow.
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND Supporting Positive Mental Health
69
MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND
Supporting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing
1-4 Adelaide Road, Glasthule, Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01 284 1166
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mentalhealthireland.ie
Twitter: @mentalhealthirl
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