New Castlebar centre to help young people with mental health issues

New Castlebar centre to help young people with mental-health issues


Edwin McGreal

A new walk-in centre aimed at addressing the mental-health issues of young people is set to open in Castlebar by the end of this year.
The centre, a combined effort between the HSE, Mayo Mental Health Association and other organisations, such as Mental Health Ireland and the Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim Education Board, will be tailored to meet the needs of 15 to 25 year olds.
“It aims to deliver a one-stop-shop integrated health service for young people with a high focus on mental-health issues. The mission is to ensure the health and wellbeing of young people by providing integrated primary care supports,” Padraic Carolan, Senior Administration Office with the HSE told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday).
“Currently, what has to happen is they go to their GP and might be referred to a psychiatrist. This centre is for young people who have issues or concerns and will support them. There will be two to three professional people, and the biggest step for young people is to push the door open in the centre,” said Mr Carolan, who added that the stigma around mental illness is still a big issue.
Mr Carolan first announced details of the service on Wednesday morning last at MacHale Park in Castlebar at a press morning held to announce an initiative between Mayo GAA and Mayo Mental Health Association. That initiative focused on positive mental health for young footballers and hurlers.
Players at the Under 16 age grade in the Mayo Ted Webb Cup football academy and the Under-16 hurlers were in MacHale Park last week for a three-day training camp that included modules on maintaining good mental health.
Former Mayo player Niall Dunne, who works with Mayo Mental Health Association, spoke with all the young players on Tuesday of last week, something Padraig Carolan described as ‘a huge success’.
PJ Murphy of Mayo Mental Health Association said young people, such as these footballers and hurlers, were at an ideal age to benefit from such an initiative.
“Young people’s minds are malleable. They haven’t formed prejudices yet. It is great to see young people taking now about mental-health issues and being very open about them. They don’t see it like their fathers or grandfathers might have,” said Mr Murphy.
Billy McNicholas, Games Manager with Mayo GAA, said it was important the GAA was there as a support for young people who may be going through difficulties.
“We’re there as a support structure. As players get older we come across young players who may have issues or problems, and this course helps. An issue with men is that we keep things to ourselves. The key is to talk. We try to help as much as we can,” he said.
Two of the participants on the course, Matthew McCormack from the Islandeady club and Conor Browne from Castlebar Mitchels, also spoke positively about the camp.
“It is really well put together, and the talks are very informative,” said Matthew.