A NEW mental health partnership between Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) aims to encourage young men in distress to reach out for help.
The partnership, to be launched today, involves 25 county players trained to act as youth mental health advocates in their communities.
The players will take part in a mental health literacy education programme with Dr Tony Bates, founding director of Headstrong, and Dr Joseph Duffy, director of clinical support.
The programme, devised by Headstrong, involves education around listening skills, how to handle a difficult conversation on mental health and will involve the GPA members in public meetings and a social media campaign.
Dr Bates said: “While we welcome an increasing openness to talk about mental health in Ireland, Headstrong wants to go further. We want to grow a new generation who can itemise well-being and understand what protects and what hinders their mental health.
“The players will play a vital role in this campaign by helping to normalise this national conversation and encouraging young men not only to reach out, but also to promote healthy ways around how to handle distress.”
Dessie Farrell, GPA chief executive, welcomed the initiative, pointing out there was no community, parish or club that had not been affected by somebody taking their own life.
“We have all heard stories about young people who are in trouble and we know what lies behind these stories is often things they cannot talk about . . . feeling very down, worry, drinking too much or gambling. We believe that working with Headstrong is one of the positive ways of helping young people find their way.”
Mr Farrell said they were amazed at the positive response to the initiative from GPA members. Every player who was asked to participate immediately agreed to support the partnership.
“The 25 ambassadors will participate in a mental health induction process, educating them and giving them the tools and information to facilitate support for young people.
“As role models in our communities they can further assist in removing the stigma associated with youth mental health and opening this absolutely critical conversation. It’s a conversation that can save lives.”
