FF to hold public meeting on Youth Mental Health in Charleville
Published on: 17 February 2015
Fianna Fáil is set to hold a public meeting in Charleville to discuss Youth Mental Health. The meeting will be held at the Charleville Park Hotel at 8PM on 2nd March next. Guest speakers include Elma Walsh, mother of the late Donal Walsh and founder of the LiveLife Foundation, and Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. John Hillery.
The meeting is being organised by Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan and Cllr Ian Doyle.
Deputy Moynihan commented, “Fianna Fáil is holding a public meeting on youth mental health to identify and address some of the key mental health pressures that are facing young people today. In 2012 the party published detailed proposals to promote positive youth mental health within the education system and to reduce the alarmingly high rate of suicide among young people. We aim to build on those proposals with our upcoming meeting.
“Since the publication of our policy document we have remained vocal on the issue of youth mental health. The government has moved to implement new guidelines at primary school level in an attempt to address the worrying rise in the rate of suicide among young people. However more needs to be done and in particular greater funding is needed to help roll out much needed programmes in our education system to promote positive youth mental health.
“Our meeting will discuss the latest mental health pressures that are facing young people. The meeting will be addressed by Elma Walsh, mother of the late Donal Walsh and founder of the inspirational LiveLife Foundation. Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. John Hillery will also be in attendance to outline some of the key challenges facing us today in maintaining positive mental health among young people.
“I encourage members of the public to attend so that they can give their insight on this important issue. The aim of the meeting will be to further develop policies aimed at promoting positive youth mental health and to set a road map for tackling the ongoing suicide crisis that is impacting communities across the country” said Deputy Moynihan.