'Longford Goes Green' event a big success

There was a hugely positive reaction to the recent Longford Goes Green event in support of the mental health organisation Shine’s Green Ribbon Campaign which lit up buildings across the region.

The initiative is a collaboration between the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention and a large number of organisations working in the mental health area.

The aim is to spread awareness of mental health difficulties and to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.

Ellen Lynch, head of communications and engagement at Shine, stated the Longford Goes Green event on Wednesday, September 11 at Foroige’s Attic House was a big success.

"It was a really good event and there was very positive feedback and there was events organised as part of it," she said. "Shine's Green Ribbon Campaign is all about getting people talking about their mental health and encouraging people to open up and trying to reduce stigma because we do know that stigma can stop people from accessing help."

Ms Lynch said the Green Ribbon Campaign, which runs every September, is such an important annual campaign and a pivotal opportunity for them to lead the way on stigma reduction around mental illness in Ireland.

The Shine Westmeath and Longford Goes Green initiative lights up buildings in green and it draws attention and raises awareness.

Buildings and landmarks that were lit up this year included Athlone’s iconic railway bridge, the White bridge, the

Technological University of the Shannon, Westmeath County Council, while Belvedere House and Gardens in Mullingar illuminated the carriage at the entrance and turn the tourist centre green.

Athlone Municipal District also changed the lights to green on the Athlone Cycle Bridge.

Ms Lynch said supporting family and friends who may be experiencing difficulties by asking them how they are and engaging with them is vital.

"Talking is so important and people notice the various places buildings that were lit up but to see a whole region going green like that is very impactful, it's a way to open up those all important conversations."

Patrick Jones, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention HSE Longford and Westmeath, said the theme of ‘changing the narrative’ encourages us all to be more proactive in being there for those whom we may be concerned about.

He stated it is a big responsibility to reach out and be the one who will encourage them to access appropriate and life sustaining support.

This skill and confidence can be gained by engaging in a newly developed suicide prevention programme.

Produced by the National Office for Suicide Prevention, this free online programme, which takes approx. 60 minutes to complete, is available at www.traininghub.nosp.ie and uses a mix of guided online content, video and interactive questi