In pictures: Michael Murphy addresses Moville men’s mental health event

Former Donegal GAA captain Michael Murphy has told a men’s mental health event in Moville of the importance of self-care.

The event at Moville Community College was hosted by Serenity House and Moville GAA.

Michael Murphy told the event of the importance of refilling your bucket in terms of self-care. Self-care is about finding time for activities that replenish your reserves, reduce your stress and give you a sense of well-being, he said.

Tracy McKeague, a counsellor in Serenity House, acted as MC for the night.

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The event, which was run as part of the GAA Healthy Clubs project, heard Sharon Browne, manager of Serenity House and John Peto, PRO, Moville Gaa giving an outline about both their organisations and how important it was to raise awareness around mental health.

Sharon outlined how Serenity House’s mission is to promote positive mental health and well-being in the Inishowen area through the provision of appropriate programmes of learning, training and support, to ensure greater inclusion and participation by disadvantaged groups.

Serenity House offers an open-door policy and when approached can put people in contact with a counsellor to help them deal with mental health issues.

Derry-based athlete Danny Quigley talked of his struggle when as a nineteen-year-old old his father committed suicide. He has gone on to complete 10 ironman challenges in a row and has raised over £100,000 to raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing and the importance of reaching out to someone when you are struggling and getting professional help.

Bill Vaughan of Mental Health Ireland gave an insight of the supports available both locally and nationally.

There were support tables and information in the room from Grow, HUGG, Samaritans, Pieta, Mental Health Ireland, Social Prescribing and Tracy McKeague.