COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"That this committee supports and commends See Change who are Ireland’s organisation dedicated to ending mental health stigma. We want to send out a clear message that it is ok not to be ok!

We ask South Dublin County Council to actively promote mental health on Twitter and Facebook i.e. share helplines and promote positive mental health within South Dublin County Council?

We also send our deepest sympathy and solidarity to the many families affected by Suicide in our area. 

We also commit to writing to the Minister for Health to ask that additional resources are immediately given to the Clondalkin area to support our community in dealing with this issue and also to support the families and friends left devastated by the loss."

REPORT:

Planning for South Dublin County Council's 2018 Annual Health and Well-Being Week is already underway with the Communications Unit playing in key role in its promotion. As in previous years, an extensive programme of events will be developed in partnership with a host of organisations and agencies, both local and national, and will be delivered at venues throughout the County. These will be heavily promoted on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as through other means.

Health and wellbeing, incorporating mental health, is one of the major challenges faced by all who live, work or visit our County and healthy minds and bodies are essential to enjoying complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. As such, the Council continuously promotes well-being events to our citizens, most recently through the Bealtaine Festival, free yoga sessions at the Round Tower, through 55+ Daily Activity, Community Planting Day and various library events. These are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally, and encourage our citizens to take part and develop relationships within their communities.

South Dublin County Council have also helped promote national campaigns, such as the HSE's #littlethings campaign, on social media and will continue to do so in the future.

If the motion is passed, a letter will be issued to the Minister for Health for their attention and, when a reply is received, the Committee will be notified accordingly.