Connect Mental Health’s ‘Inspire Hope’ Youth Conference brought 250 students together on Friday 22nd September for an educational and interactive day. The event, held in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town, was run in partnership with Foróige National Youth Organisation and Jigsaw Donegal.

“The energy in the Abbey Hotel today was outstanding,” said Foróige and Connect Mental Health’s Maura Gallagher. “We had 250 young people from across south west Donegal taking part in learning by doing style workshops teaching them valuable skills that will empower them to make positive choices, that will positively impact their mental health.”

Workshops on the day included Jigsaw Donegal’s ‘Time To Start Talking workshop,’ a Challenging Negative Thinking workshop by Ciaran McLoone & Rachel McHugh, a healthy eating demo from food blogger Finn Ní Fhaoláin, an ‘Energy session’ by The Energy Hub and a relaxation session with Blaithin Sweeney.

Speakers & Volunteers at Inspire Hope

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Jo Robinson, head of the suicide prevention research unit at Orygen – the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia. Dr Robinson travelled to Donegal ahead of speaking at the 4th International Conference on Youth Mental Health in Dublin.

Speaking at the event Jo stated, “It’s fantastic to be in Donegal today talking to young people directly about suicide prevention. It’s incredibly important to educate young people and make sure they feel able to talk about these issues with their friends and know how to seek professional help when they need it.”

Connect Mental Health wish to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and supporters, in particular Donegal Local Development Company, who part funded the event. Without their support this event would not have been possible.

Connect also wish to thank Supervalu Killybegs, Supervalu Donegal town, Centra Ballyshannon, Donegal Natural Food Company and Allsports Donegal Town for sponsorship of water, fruit, healthy snacks and discount sports wear vouchers for all the young people who attended the event.