‘Mental health affects us all’
Dr Harry Barry speaks March 9, at the Slieve Russell Hotel, at 7:45pm.
Doctor and mental health expert, Dr Harry Barry, believes society is “running around like bluebottles”, struggling for direction in a “toxic” mess of emotional stress.
He made the comments ahead of addressing a talk on the mental health tomorrow (Thursday), March 9, at the Slieve Russell Hotel, at 7:45pm.
The event has been organised by Drumlane Parish Council in collaboration with local community organisations.
It follows a similar health and well-being night hosted by neighbouring Belturbet Rory O’Moore’s GFC for club members and players in the wake of a death locally, at which Dublin Senior footballer Philly McMahon, clinical psychologist, Dr Paul Gaffney and musician Don Mescall all spoke.
With over 35 years of experience working as a senior GP in the Irish health system, Dr Barry is a strong advocate for emotional resilience and mental health, regularly featuring on TV and radio.
He says that an inability to deal with acute anxiety and stress, or cope with failure, the misuse of drugs and alcohol, and obsessions with pornography and social media/technology, as well as a lack of sleep, are contributing factors to poor mental well-being. It is distinct from mental illness.
“We say our [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services] can’t cope, but these are people who should never be going near CAMHS. It isn’t mental illness. It is all emotional stress being created by an environment that is very toxic for them growing up. It’s not just toxic for the kids, it’s toxic for the adults as well. Mental health affects us all.”
The “wide-ranging” talk Dr Barry intends to give will cover topics from anxiety to nutrition and end with a question and answer sessions which he hopes will facilitate a “good discussion because that’s what this is really all about - encouraging people to talk”.
Dr Barry strongly believes the impetus is on teaching people the skills to prevent them from taking potentially more drastic steps (see www.anglocelt.ie for more of Dr Barry’s comments).
Bryan Brady is Healthy Club Officer with Templeport GAA ,who organised an event titled ‘Being Well, Living Well’ last Friday evening at St Mogue’s College in Bawnboy. The event featured Psychology graduate Cathal Ffrench and nutrition coach Laura Ivers.
Mr Ffrench said that the pandemic and successive lockdowns are still taking a toll on people’s mental health. For young people in particular, he points to those in “transitioning” years, entering secondary school from primary, or exiting into third level. Even young adults in their 20s, he says, have missed out on a great deal of formative development.
Mr Brady, Templeport GAA’s Healthy Club officer says the “focus” is as much on mental well-being, as it is having players fit and healthy physically.
He notes that the local community has “dealt with a lot” in the past 12 months in particularly the tragic death of Luke Byrne from his own club Corlough GAA. The 17-year-old was a fifth year pupil at St Mogue’s and his passing was sorely felt right across the local area, though people rallied to support one another.
“As a club, as a community, they’ve gained strength from all that. They really have. Teenagers are at a very vulnerable age, we’re all told that. What we’re trying to do on a well-being level is to get the entire community involved, to spread awareness, not just the people who play football and train, but that it becomes a space for everyone.”
Ms Ivers spoke on how making healthier food choices will improve your physical and mental health and fitness.
“Nutrition, movement and exercise are the foundation of our mental health. When you start fuelling your body correctly you begin feeling better.”
She says the Healthy Club initiative can and is offering the kind of necessary holistic support that can make a difference.