IRELAND goalkeeper Shay
Given has been named as ambassador for a new youth
mental health project in Donegal.
The Donegal Youth Council SPARKS Mental Health
Roadshow has been developed "by young people for
young people" in the county. It kicks off on World
Mental Health Day on October 10 and will travel to
all the electoral areas with events planned for
Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Gweedore, Buncrana and
Donegal Town.
The roadshow will cater for some 1,000 young people
across the county and aims to offer information and
advice on how to manage stress during exam times and
other difficult situations. It will promote
awareness through fun activities and will offer a
range of inspirational speakers, workshops and other
activities "with a few surprises along the way".
The roadshow has been developed using the 'Mental
Health 5 A Day' model, which is internationally now
recognised as five key areas that can have a
positive effect on health and wellbeing.
Jigsaw, the Donegal Youth Service, the HSE Health
Promotion unit, Foroige and Mental Health Ireland
are all involved and guest speakers from the wider
community will each have conquered their own
personal challenges in life. Mount Everest conqueror
Jason Black and open sea swimmer Anne Marie Ward are
among those lined up to take part.
The first event kicks off in Letterkenny at the
Mount Errigal Hotel on October 10 before going to
Stranorlar (Finn Valley Centre) on October 24,
Gweedore (Ionad Naomh Padraig) on Novermber 7,
Buncrana (Plaza) on November 21 and Donegal Town
(Abbey Hotel ) on November 28. More info in our
Events calendar click here
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