Louth County Council set to launch ‘Mindful Connect and Wellbeing Ambassador Programme’

Louth County Council, in conjunction with the SOSAD Ireland, is launching the ‘Mindful Connect and Ambassador’ programme on World Mental Health Day, Tuesday 10 Oct 2023. 

The theme for World Mental Health Day this year - 'Mental Health Is a Universal Human Right' - is focused on raising awareness and driving positive change.

Louth County Council says it is delighted to be jointly launching the ‘Mindful Connect and the Wellbeing Ambassador programme in tandem with Meath County Council. 

In October 2022, the local authority’s ‘Healthy Louth’ programme ran a three-month public consultation to inform the actions set out within the Healthy Ireland Fund 2023-2025 Local Strategy for Louth. During this public consultation it became apparent that the overriding issues among participants were concerns about mental health and a lack of awareness of local supports. 

It was recognised that struggles with mental health can lead to anxiety, low mood, and depression, and although people are encouraged to reach out and ask for help, the findings from the public consultation highlighted that many don’t know where to find the support they need.

Following on from the public consultation Louth County Council’s ‘Healthy Louth’ programme are leading the formation of the first Louth Wellbeing Network, ‘Mindful Connect.’

Work is well underway in relation to gathering information on all the groups, organisations, and charities across the county, alongside the statutory organisations and relevant national organisations. These will be fed into a digital resource that will support the Wellbeing Ambassadors in their role. It will also be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and made available via the Louth County Council website. 

Carol Murphy from SOSAD Ireland, said: “Sometimes it can simply be a case of loneliness and/or isolation, and having information on befriending or community groups is all the person needs. It can also be the case that people simply need an activity or a club to join, but they just don’t know what is available.” 

“I think we have all come to realise that investing in our mental health in a positive way is what will give us the resources for the low times. We can invest or add to our mental health piggy bank by doing something for ourselves every day, whether it is, taking a walk, reading, meditation, joining in group activities or just sitting having a chat.

"Imagine the wellbeing network is like a safety net across the county, I would hope this will help more people to be able to get the help, support and information they need to enable them to experience more positive mental health.”

The second phase of the project will be the recruitment of Wellbeing Ambassadors. The Wellbeing Ambassador Programme will train and supports individuals who would like to take action to help support the mental health and wellbeing of others.

A Wellbeing Ambassador will be a member of the public, perhaps a person who is already a volunteer in their community, or indeed anyone who would like to be involved.

The training provided by SOSAD Ireland will provide the Wellbeing Ambassadors with the skills to use their voice and networks to promote positive conversations about mental health in their community.

They will be a source of information, provide mental health and wellbeing signposting support and be passionate about advocating mental health and wellbeing in the community. Recruitment of the wellbeing Ambassadors will commence in October 2023. 

Paula Keenan, Healthy Ireland Coordinator at Louth County Council, said: “We aim to have a network of trained volunteers across the county who will be able to recognise if someone needs help.

"They will be available to chat to them, and if needed signpost the best supports and services that may be able to help. They will not be counsellors but will have had the training to understand mental health issues and can point the person in the right direction for support and help.” 

“When the programme is up and running it is envisaged that we will have large numbers of trained volunteers who, within their work or community life, will have that ability to recognise if someone is feeling low, or out of sorts and be able to ask if they are ok and be there to listen and support by signposting to the relevant service.

"There will also be a support network in place for the Wellbeing Ambassadors.”  

Cllr Paula Butterly, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council, said: “Health and wellbeing, including mental health is so important for us all. During COVID, the way local people stepped up really showed how we can come together to provide help and support to those that need it in our communities.

"It also showed that a lot of you know your communities much better than the council or health partners and know how to work with them to get the best results. So do please consider joining the network and becoming a Wellbeing Ambassador and work with us to help those who really need our help.” 

Joan Martin, Chief Executive, Louth County Council, said: “I am delighted to attend the joint launch with Meath County Council. We all know that resources are extremely limited; therefore, every action needs to have maximum impact.

"I very much welcome this collaborative approach, leveraging our resources and indeed learning from each other to achieve our joint mission of empowering our citizens to make their own informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

“The Wellbeing Network and Wellbeing Ambassadors Programme will also help us to understand what the health and wellbeing priorities are in our local communities, by feeding back what is working well, and what improvements are needed”. 

The project is being funded by Healthy Ireland, a Government-led initiative which aims to create an Irish society where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health, and where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society.

The launch will take place at St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Peter’s Street, Drogheda, County Louth.

For more information on the ‘Louth Wellbeing Network and Wellbeing Ambassador Programme’ please visit here.

To contact the Healthy Louth Coordinator, email: healthylouth@louthcoco.ie