Dublin women tell us to Get Real with how you feel this October

SEE Change, Ireland’s organisation dedicated to ending mental health stigma, will virtually launch their Eight Annual Green Ribbon Campaign this October.

The Green Ribbon campaign aims to get as many people as possible talking about mental health to help end stigma and discrimination. By wearing the Green Ribbon – an international symbol for mental health awareness – you show you are committed to influencing positive change

This October will host the 2020 Green Ribbon Month (usually held in May) to encourage everyone to start a conversation and wear the Green Ribbon to show their support.

See Change, is Ireland’s National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership. Funded by the HSE National Office of Suicide Prevention, the partnership is made up of over 100 Irish organisations and 60 ambassadors who work together to open minds about mental health problems, and end mental health stigma and discrimination.

Abigail McDonnell See Change Ambassador from Raheny, Dublin,  said: “My time with See Change has been so wonderful, a true time of growth of confidence for me. There’s nothing more that I love than raising awareness about Mental Health and Green Ribbon month always provides such opportunity to do so.

“It’s an honour to share my story. Ireland has come a long way but we still need to do so much more. We cannot stop until everyone is free to talk of their mental health without judgement or shame.”

Green Ribbon will run virtual events throughout the month of October which will have an array of different speakers focusing on the workplace, the voices of lived experience, and partners of See Change, on the topics of discrimination, behaviour and societal change. You can find out more about these events on the See Change website and social media throughout the month.

See Change Ambassador, Miriam Dowling, from Dunore Avenue Dublin 8, said: “See Change have always delivered a simple but powerful message, everyone has mental health, those that face challenges can recover and we need to challenge the stigma and discrimination around mental health problems, as it affects us all.

“Green Ribbon Month creates an opportunity to start conversations about mental health in a meaningful way. It allows conversations about mental health to become part of our everyday lives. Removing the fear and shame associated with it, creating a kinder society.“

Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler, said: “At a time when many people are experiencing mental health challenges in the face of Covid-19, it is more important than ever that people feel that they can reach out, to access the services and supports that they need, or simply to talk to family and friends.

“Stigma remains a barrier to recovery for too many people and that is why I wholeheartedly welcome and fully support the Green Ribbon campaign, which has been for many years a symbol of hope to many in helping to start these conversations.”

You can pick up a Green Ribbon during the campaign at your nearby Boots, AIB or Eir stores as a symbol for starting conversation about mental health.