Mayo event "Cycle, walk and talk" for tackling mental health issues to take place

A North Mayo community will come together for a cycle, walk and talk event to raise awareness for mental health.

"Most mental health issues are caused by those around you" says Pat Gallagher from Crossmolina, member of the event committee.

"One needs to limit interaction with people who bring you down" he says as one of the organisers behind the 'Cycle, walk and talk" event in Crossmolina that was held for the second time since 2023.

"Most important thing for people is: Do your own thing. I see people working at jobs they hate which affects their health but they don't see it" explains Gallagher.

"We also need to unplug. We put our minds under a lot of pressure. If you look up the canteen at lunch time: Most have their phones out scrolling and bombarding their brain with crap. instead of having a chat with people at the table. And then in the evening again the same. Try to detox, leave your phone turned off for a day. We need to let our minds chill out. Cycle, walk and talk."

That's exactly what the community in Crossmolina intends to do next Sunday, April 12, starting at 12.30pm from the Deel Rovers GAA pitch.

The event will be more family oriented this year, with a 10k cycle. The event is geared towards attendance in person more than anything else. The money goes towards the running of the event. Last year the committee purchased event t-shirts with a colour scheme to raise awareness and sold the t-shirts just above cost price. Donations will also be used to buy picnic benches along the walking route passing Gortnor Abbey school.

READ NEXT: Award winning takeaway in Mayo town to reopen in previous location

"The walk route is around what's called the convent loop walk locally in Crossmolina. It's called the convent loop walk. It's a 5k walk. And then the cycle then is going to be approximately 10k and it's around an area called Grange which people will be also familiar with around Crossmolina and it would tie in with the loop walk and hopefully the walkers and the cyclists will be back to the GAA centre at the same time. So it might maximise the talk part of the event, the refreshments and the crowds there."

Gallagher points out, it's not a fundraiser this event, it's more of an awareness campaign of 'getting out to value, getting out and meeting people and chatting.' 

But in saying that, donations are appreciated to keep the event going with insurance and refreshments and signage.

Sponsors of the event are Colman Electronics, Mayo Mindpsace, William Barrett coach hires, Mayo Mental Health Organisation.

The Cycle, Walk and talk will start at 12.30pm on Sunday, April 12 at the Crossmolina Deel Rovers pitch.