Longford County Council is first local authority in country to be presented with Amber Flag
This history making award was presented to Longford County Council thanks to their creation of a healthy working environment through promoting mental health awareness.
Longford County Council has made history as the first local authority in the country to be awarded the prestigious Amber Flag by Pieta House
They received the award at a ceremony held in Áras aN Chontae on Thursday, December 5.
The Amber Flag is an award from Pieta House that celebrates communities that create healthy environments by promoting mental well-being. This is the 10th year of Pieta’s Amber Flag initiative. 2024 saw a total of 529 flags awarded to various schools, clubs and organisations.
Longford County Council promotes multiple mental health and well-being initiatives for employees throughout the year.
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These initiatives ensure their employees have access to necessary resources and support.
Of these initiatives are Mental Health Champion training, a See Change suicide prevention information drop-in event and lunchtime exercise classes.
Retirees are also included. Annual get-togethers are held for the Council’s retired employees to help maintain connections with one another. They also get a chance to connect with their colleagues who are still working.Pieta House Community Fundraising Officer for the west and north-west region, Joe Burke spoke at the ceremony. He commended Longford County Council for their dedication and incredible work to mental health awareness.
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “The Council, through our Health and Wellbeing team and with great support from all our employees, has made great strides in progressing initiatives to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
We are very proud to become the first local authority to receive the Pieta Amber Flag and of what we have achieved so far. We look forward to new initiatives in 2025.”
For updates, follow Longford County Council on social media and visit Longfordcoco.ie.