Promoting positive mental health in local communities
By Mary Dennehy
TALLAGHT and Clondalkin residents are invited to play an active role in promoting positive youth mental health in their communities this April 22 - supporting free, early intervention services for young people living locally in the process.
This April 22, the Jog for Jigsaw will take to Tymon Park in Tallaght, with all members of the community invited to join in.
The friendly and welcoming space in Jigsaw
With local offices in Tallaght and Clondalkin, Jigsaw is a national youth mental health service that aims to support the mental health of young people, aged between 12 and 25, by influencing change, strengthening communities and delivering supports through early intervention and prevention services.
Locally, Jigsaw provides free, confidential, one-to-one support to young people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as low mood, stress and anxiety.
The service provides early intervention services in the hope of supporting a young person within their own community before an issue grows into a formal mental health diagnosis.
Jigsaw also provides training and workshops for parents, youth workers and the wider community, creating an overall grassroots response to mental health.
Tymon Park
To continue the work of Jigsaw, the Tallaght and Clondalkin services are holding a Jog for Jigsaw in Tymon Park on Sunday, April 22 – with all members of the community encouraged to play an active role in promoting youth mental health by walking, running or jogging 5km.
According to Sinead Beirne, of Jigsaw Tallaght: “This is going to be a really fun event for the community to get involved in.
“The focus will not be on how fast people complete the 5k – but rather we want people to take part to raise awareness of and promote positive mental health and wellbeing in their lives.”
Ms Beirne also stressed how the event will promote the 5-a-day for wellbeing, which are Connect, Be Active, Get Involved, Give and Take Notice.
Jog for Jigsaw is open to people of all ages and abilities and costs €15 for adults and €10 for those under 25.
For further details and to register for the race, which takes off at 11am on Sunday, April 22, visit www.jigsaw.ie
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