Tributes paid to MMHA chairperson

‘GREAT LEADER’ The late PJ Murphy.

Anton McNulty

MAYO Mental Health Association (MMHA) have paid a glowing tribute to its long standing chairperson PJ Murphy, who died in Mayo University Hospital over the weekend.
A psychiatric nurse by profession, PJ Murphy, from Ballyglass, Claremorris served as chairperson of MMHA since 1970 and was one of the pioneers of introducing supported community living in Mayo. He was also a former chairperson of the Mental Health Association of Ireland.
Paying tribute to his dedication to the mental health services in Mayo, Niall Dunne, the Manager of MMHA said that Mr Murphy was not a man for standing still and his work in the community was ‘ground breaking’.
“It is hard to do justice to PJ’s contribution to spreading the gospel of good mental health to the community both as a Community Psychiatric Nurse and as a Director of Mayo Mental Health Association Ltd.
“Indeed, he was one of the first nurses in Mayo together with his late colleague and Mayo Man of The Year Jim Brett to go and work in the community which was ground-breaking at the time, and showed the true vision he had for the future shape of Community Mental Health Services.
“From Mayo Mental Health Association’s humble beginnings in early 1970, PJ set out to spearhead the provision of former mental health service users with group homes in the community. The first property was Rock House in Castlebar. The Social Housing Project has developed throughout the years, and now provides various tenancy and accommodation arrangements across Mayo,” he said.

Information Centre
One of his achievements in recent years was the establishment of the Mayo Mental Health Association’s Information Centre in Castlebar in 2009 which was supported by his dedicated followers and volunteers.
Today Mayo MHA is one of the leading association across the country and is supported by a manager, health promoting staff, resource officers, accounts, community liaison officer and housing support.
Mr Dunne said that this was one of PJ’s finest achievements and added he was also conscious and grateful to the many volunteers, community partners and statutory services who made all this possible.
“This culminated in recognition of all his voluntary work in the mental health field by the conferring of the Meitheal Mayo award from the Mayo Dublin Association in 2011.
“PJ’s work for Mayo Mental Health Association was always voluntary. He often hinted in the early years that he was paid with tea and biscuits! He was always a tough competitor, great leader, but above all, professional and kind to all that crossed his path,” he added.
Mr Murphy will be sadly missed by his loving partner Geraldine, his brother Jim, nieces and nephews, relatives at home and abroad and his work colleagues and many friends.
He will repose in the Ballyglass Community Centre this evening, Tuesday, February 14 from 5pm to 7pm. His remains will arrive at St Mary’s Church, Carnacon, on Wednesday for funeral Mass at 11am, with burial afterwards in Burriscarra Cemetery.