Tallaght Hospital holds free mental health talk on ‘How to be happy’
By William O'Connor
Tallaght Hospital will hold a free public event on how to improve positive mental health this Monday, November 13, in IT Tallaght.
The talk, entitled “How to be happy”, will be given by Professor Brendan Kelly, Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght Hospital, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and renowned speaker on mental health issues.
The talk will be held in the Institute of Technology, Tallaght, on Monday, November 13, at 6.30pm, with all members of the public welcome to attend.
This is the final talk of Tallaght Hospital’s Public Health Education 2017 series which has been ongoing throughout the year in partnership with the Hospital’s Patient Community Advisory Council (PCAC).
The series has included events on Alzheimer’s and how to look after your kidneys, diabetes and minding your mind.
The series has seen medical experts from the hospital provide useful health information to local residents in the Tallaght area in various community venues, highlighting the importance that the Hospital attaches to community involvement.
As part of his talk this Monday, Professor Kelly will highlight how good physical health and a healthy lifestyle are linked to positive mental health.
He will also discuss other factors that influence the state of our mental health including employment and genetics.
Along with his work in Tallaght Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Professor Kelly is also the author of “Mental Health in Ireland: The Complete Guide for Patients, Families, Health Care Professionals and Everyone Who Wants To Be Well” by Liffey Press.
Professor Kelly commented: “I am delighted to be able to give this talk on the critical issue of mental health. We need to look after ourselves and to look after our mental health, and in order to do this it is important that we recognise the factors that could cause us mental health difficulties.
“Tallaght Hospital has always been a big advocate for minding our mental health, and this is demonstrated in the initiatives that the Hospital promotes during the annual Green Ribbon Campaign month each May. People caring for people’ is our motto and it is so important that this ethos is reflected in the area of mental health too.
“My How to Be Happy talk is something that everyone can benefit from regardless of age and I would encourage anyone with an interest in their mental health to come along and take part.”
Catherine Heaney, Community Health Worker and Project Co-Ordinator at the Fettercairn Community Health Project, and Chair of the PCAC, said: “This is a very important event, as mental health issues are common across society and it is vital that we talk about this challenge in order to reduce the stigma.
“I am delighted that Professor Kelly is doing this talk, I think anyone that struggles with their mental health or knows someone who is struggling will get something from the talk.
“This is the final event in the 2017 series of community talks they have been a great success and have demonstrated the important role the Hospital plays in the local community.”
