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

Kiltimagh only two weekends ago saw the first 'Darkness into light' event which is the flagship funding campaign for Pieta, a charity which assists those affected by suicide and mental health issues. The case of Matthew Mullahy would still be a fresh memory for most.

And last weekend the community in Crossmolina came together for a second time to raise awareness about mental health issues.

"Most mental health issues are caused by those around you" says Pat Gallagher. "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 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 is exactly what the community in Crossmolina did last weekend. The event was open to everyone. They met up, got to their bikes or walked and just had a chat.

Mindspace Mayo and the Mayo Mental Health Association showed their presence to help raise awareness.

Participants of the 'Crossmolina cycle, walk and talk'. Special thanks going to Mindspace Mayo, Nial Mayo Mental Health Association, Murray ambulance services, Willie B's coach hire, Coleman electronics, Crossmolina first responders and Knockmore GAA.

"This event is inclusive for young and old and it's more about people coming together than anything else. Most can walk 5km and others can take up the bike. It is about being in a group and chatting along the way" says Gallagher.

The event is geared towards attendance in person more than anything else. The money goes towards the running of the event. This year the committee purchased event t-shirts with a colour scheme to raise awareness and sold the t-shirts just above cost price. 

Donations were accepted during the day. The event committee is planning on using this year's donations on purchasing roofed picnic benches for the town's 5km loop walking route to give people shelter from the rain.

Approximately 45 cyclists and 80 walkers attended the event. For everyone who felt they couldn't finish the route there was a shuttle bus service available to pick them up and a few availed of that offer. 

"That's actually great as the event is about trying and then realising that the pick up is there if needed."

The 'Crossmolina cycle, walk and talk' committee. Back row left to right: Martin Devaney, Robert Padden, Martin Lynn, John Queenan, Martin Cosgrove, Kiernan Gill, Vincent Maughan, Eileen Rowland. Front left to right: John Gerard Loftus, Enda Lavelle, Patrick Gallagher, Paul Loftus, Melissa Clancy, Patrick Rochford