BALLYMUN Regional Youth Resource (BRYR) is calling on Northsiders to back this month’s national Green Ribbon Campaign.
The campaign is being rolled out nationally by See Change to get people talking openly about mental health problems, and it’s an issue strongly backed by BRYR.
“The promotion of positive mental health of young people is an integral part of what we do in BRYR,” said Training and Development Officer, Laurence Van der Haegen.
“Our youth mental health programme, ‘What’s Up?’ was established as a response to an urgent need for the provision of counselling services and group support for young people from Ballymun.”
Locals can support the movement to spark a national conversation about mental health throughout Ireland by wearing a Green Ribbon during the month of May. Ribbons can be picked up this month at major Irish Rail stations or ordered free by workplaces to distribute to staff by emailing greenribbon@seechange.ie.
All this month, BRYR is hosting open activities for all age groups, but with a particular focus on young people aged 16+yrs. Events include chillout and well-being activities, mindfulness and relaxation, facial and hand massages and a movie night.
There’ll also be circuit training and relaxation sessions, a 5K walk, Zumba classes, evening hill walks and a ‘Get fit with the Reco week’ as well as art and games, community events and training workshops.
The activities will offer as many opportunities as possible to start conversations with young people around mental health and wellbeing. There’ll also be information on what supports are available and healthy life choices that support positive mental health and wellbeing.
On May 20, the designated National Time to Talk Day, BRYR will host a Good Mood event in the Reco with a focus on healthy living, exercise, art and entertainment.
“We have invited an ambassador from See Change to come and speak on the day about the campaign as part of the BRYR event,” said Van der Haegen.