Communities all around Ireland are doing their bit to mark World Mental Health Day 2024…
Music Events:
Music For Mental Health: Featuring Denise Chaila, Emma Langford and more
Thursday, October 10
Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick
There’s a stellar line-up of top Limerick talent heading to Dolan’s Warehouse on Thursday, for the 2024 edition of Music For Mental Health. Among the special guests you can look forward to on the night are Denise Chaila, Emma Langford, Pat Shortt, Raging Sons, Keith Walsh, Stray Saints and Joyce Zacks & Band.
Kicking off at 8pm, the gig – organised by Humanli and supported by Limerick City and County Council – is in aid of three Limerick-based charities: Limerick Suicide Watch, Children’s Grief Centre, and Haven Hub.
On the night, a special live video will be recorded of Emma Langford leading a group of artists in a new version of ‘Animal Instinct’, from The Cranberries’ 1999 album Bury the Hatchet. The track and video will be released early 2025, to support Haven Hub – an organisation that offers peer support and suicide prevention to the community.
Emma Langford. Credit: Conor Kerr
Luke Clerkin’s ‘Over Time’ launch show
Thursday, October 10
Tallaght Library, Co. Dublin
Ahead of the release of his upcoming debut album, Orpheus, Tallaght singer-songwriter Luke Clerkin is marking World Mental Health Day with a new single, ‘Over Time’, featuring vocals from Bríd Lyons.
To coincide with the single release, Luke – who has been involved in mental health advocacy and activism for over 10 years – is playing a free daytime launch gig at Tallaght Library, at 1pm on Thursday.
“I started playing because I wanted to help others going through what I’ve gone through, and sometimes still go through,” the singer-songwriter says. “Releasing this song on World Mental Day ties into that. I want to use it to start conversations and to give hope to people who need it.”
Luke Clerkin. Credit: @Sk1nnyhorse
Festivals/Awareness Weeks:
West Cork Feel Good Festival
Until Thursday, October 31
Various venues, West Cork
The 12th edition of West Cork Feel Good Festival is currently underway – embracing the theme of ‘Connection’, and, specifically, how that word relates to our mental health.
“As highlighted recently by the World Health Organisation, engagement with creativity and the arts has been shown to help us connect and is so beneficial to our mental health and well-being,” the festival state in their 2024 programme. “Our festival is all about fostering these connections, in towns and villages throughout West Cork. Each event is important, because ‘mental health is everyone’s business.'”
Artists involved in this year’s festival include Ashley Campbell & Thor Jensen, John Francis Flynn, Susan O’Neill, Jinx Lennon, and more.
Ashley Campbell & Thor Jensen
Kerry Mental Health & Wellbeing Fest
Until Saturday, October 12
Various venues, Co. Kerry
Kerry Mental Health & Wellbeing Fest – which kicked off last Saturday, and runs for a week – aims to raise awareness about the supports and services available in Co. Kerry. The programme of free events also encourages people to engage with the Five Ways To Wellbeing: Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Be Active.
See the full list of sessions, talks and activities – from meditation and yoga, to sea shore safari and rock climbing – here.
Mindfulness with Rachel O’Sullivan
Limerick Mental Health Week
Until Sunday, October 13
Various venues, Limerick
Every year, this annual programme of events aims to promote positive mental health in Limerick City and County – through free events, talks, exhibitions, workshops and more.
“Our goal is to have a Limerick where people who experience mental health difficulties can recover, achieve mental well-being and reach their full potential within an informed and supportive community,” organisers say.
Over 54 events are taking place across the week, embracing this year’s theme of ‘Community, Connection, and Compassion’. Among the highlights is the Annual Limerick Choral Union Concert at St John’s Cathedral on Friday, October 11 – featuring performances from local choirs and musical acts.
Limerick Choral Union / Malcolm Green
Laois Connects’ Health & Wellbeing Programme
Until Sunday, October 13
Various venues, Laois
With events taking place across Laois, this year’s initiative is all about ‘Connecting’, as a way to boast your health and happiness.
“Laois Connects reminds us that there are small and achievable things that we can do to ‘connect’ with our emotional and mental health, whether this is keeping active, looking after our physical health, staying in touch with others, having a chat if we need to talk about something, or just doing something that we enjoy and get meaning from,” says Josephine Rigney, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with the HSE and a member of the Laois Connects Organisation Committee.
This year’s programme includes guided walks, workshops, games, pilates, music, meditation and more. Another highlight takes place at the the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise at 8pm tonight, October 8 – as Bressie hosts a live recording of his award-winning podcast Where is My Mind?
Bressie
Talks:
Dr Colman Noctor
Thursday, October 10
The Lark Concert Hall, Balbriggan
Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist Dr. Colman Noctor is set to deliver a special talk in Balbriggan on World Mental Health Day – drawing from his wealth of experience working across a range of Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, both in Ireland and abroad.
Colman is especially interested in the effects of contemporary media on child development and mental health.
As part of Thursday’s event, he’ll be discussing:
- How to re-connect with yourself, your family, and your community in a post-pandemic reality.
- How to cope with feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Why we feel disconnected.
- How to bring meaning and purpose to our life.
Tickets are available here.
Dr Colman Noctor
Colleges:
Across the country, colleges and students’ unions are marking World Mental Health Day with their own special events – including:
University of Galway
Until Friday, October 11
University of Galway Students’ Union are hosting a series of engaging events for their Mental Health Week 2024 – including ‘Caife agus Cómhra’ at Plámás Café, the Feel Good Fair in Áras na Mac Léinn, a Sensory Night at Sult, safeTALK Training, and more.
TU Dublin
Thursday, October 10
Across the university, free events are being organised for World Mental Health Day – including an Eco-Anxiety Workshop (Bolton Street, 1pm); Sanctuary Garden Visit (Grangegorman, 2pm); Mental Health Cafés (City Campus, Tallaght Campus and Blanchardstown Campus).
Dundalk Institute of Technology
Until Friday, October 11
This week-long event – organised by DkIT’s Counselling Services and Student Services in conjunction with the Students’ Union – incorporates workshops, positive mental health tips, music, mindfulness, and entertaining activities for both students and staff.