Mobile mental health service to launch in Drimoleague

A NEW mobile mental health service – designed to help West Cork people help themselves – is being launched in Drimoleague. 

The Wellbeing Network is an initiative by Cork and Kerry Community Healthcare and the National Learning Network, and will serve a population of nearly 60,000 throughout the region. 

It is a preventative approach, rather than a medical one, that recognises the need for communities to access resources on their own doorstep – access to non-clinical and medical supports, and information about self-care. 

The aim is to empower people to take ownership of their own mental health and wellbeing, to ensure they are well-equipped to protect themselves in times of difficulty.

The Wellbeing Network will operates as a mobile service in response to requests from local stakeholders who have already been consulted widely and include community groups, resource centres, volunteers, parish members, ETB personnel and community liaisons. The aim is to host at least two events per month in various localities.

The innovative service will be launched at a public event in Drimoleague Community Hall, on October 3rd from 2pm.

 Keynote speakers will include presidential candidate Sen Joan Freeman, county mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy and Irish race walker Rob Heffernan, who will give a motivational talk. 

There will also be tastings of good mood foods and feelgood music by local artists, all under the theme of wellbeing.

County mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, who has been involved since the project’s inception, said: ‘This will be of particular benefit in an area like West Cork, which has rural and remote populations spread across mountainous areas and three peninsulas. 

‘The service will provide much-needed information an individuals’ wellbeing and is something I believe can have a positive impact towards strengthening a community’s ability to care for themselves and each other.’

Priscilla Lynch, head of service health and wellbeing, Cork Kerry Community Health Care, added: ‘The Wellbeing Network aims to move away from a medical model of mental health and work more with a social model – recognising the need for individuals to access non-clinical resources to enable them to improve their health and wellbeing. 

‘An important part of the ‘preventative approach’ is the provision of information so that everyone can be fully informed about what is available in their community, what things might work to help them through difficult periods, and most of all to empower people to take ownership of their own well-being.’

The launch event is open to the public to attend. 

The public is asked to email [email protected]  if interested.