Minding Your Mind through the ages
By Mary Dennehy
A PUBLIC talk on mental health and ‘minding your mind through the ages’ is being staged in the Killinarden Community Centre on Wednesday, May 10.
Tallaght Hospital is hosting the talk as part of its public health education series and to mark the Green Ribbon Campaign on mental health awareness – which runs nationwide throughout the month of May.
The talk will be delivered by Professor Greg Swanwick who specialises in the psychiatry of old age and also has a special interest in dementia and medical education.
Prof Swanwick will also be joined by up to 20 mental health organisations and community groups such as the Tallaght Rehab Project, the National Counselling Service, Counselling in Primary Care, Mojo and Mojo Men’s Shed, Teencounselling and Age Action Ireland.
According to Prof Swanwick: “Mental health challenges are common across all ages and this is also true for those of an older age.
“As a result it is so important to know how to mind your mental health and to know when to seek help.
“I am a big advocate of the Green Ribbon Campaign which does a huge amount every year to raise awareness of the challenges in this area.”
He added: “I am delighted that our event this year is supported by such a large number of local organisations and I hope members of the public come along to find out more about the mind, how to look after it and find out more about mental health and what supports are available.”
David Slevin, CEO of Tallaght Hospital, said: “Our motto at the hospital is ‘People caring for people’ and as a result we are always seeking to ensure that we care for our patients in the best way possible.
“This is an important subject and I am delighted that the event has received such widespread support.
“In Tallaght, our population is rapidly growing older and as a result, the health challenges we face are changing all the time.
This means that discussing how to look after our mental health as we age has never been more important.”
The free talk will be staged in the Killinarden Community Centre on Wednesday, May 10, at 10am.
