Breaking down mental health barriers
The start of the 12th Mayo Mental Health Association Turlough 8k Fun Run and Race at the National Museum of Ireland Country Life in 2024. Picture: Alison Laredo
Mayo Mental Health Association (MMHA) is aiming to build on a hugely successful 2024.
The assocation’s mission is to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for individuals and communities. The organisation supports people with lived experience of mental health challenges in their recovery and aids all individuals in relation to any query surrounding mental health challenges.
The association’s four-pillar approach focuses on promoting, supporting and educating where possible.
“Our office deals with all sorts of queries. It can be people looking for support for themselves or loved ones. We give all the various support options that are out there in the community, and we often touch base with those supports to try and help people find the best option available to them,” explained Niall Dunne, Manager of MMHA.
The organisation has offices in Castlebar and Ballina. In recent years, it has rolled out a hugely successful education programme called MindOut and works with more than 20 schools in the county. It also partners with NUI Galway and Mental Health Ireland in delivering mental health education to thousands of young people in Mayo.
“We thought it was important to start people young and break down some of those barriers around the language surrounding mental health and encouraging people to talk,” said Niall.
The provision of housing is also something the association has taken on and is delivering successfully.
“We would classify ourselves as a specialist mental health housing body," said Mr Dunne. "At Mayo Mental Health Association, we recognise the transformative power of stable, supportive housing in fostering mental health recovery. Our specialist mental health housing programmes throughout Ballina, Castlebar and Westport provide more than just accommodation, they create a foundation for individuals to rebuild their lives in a safe, nurturing environment."
A "specialist mental health tenancy" generally refers to housing specifically allocated for individuals with mental health needs, combining secure accommodation with access to tailored support services to promote mental wellbeing and recovery.
“These tenancies provide a stable environment that is conducive to mental health through structured, recovery-oriented practices. Such an approach supports individuals by offering services like case management, tenancy support and crisis intervention, which together provide a holistic, supportive setting for recovery.
"Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of everyone, ensuring their journey to recovery is supported at every stage through a multi-stakeholder approach with the Health Service Executive, local authorities and community partners such as St Vincent de Paul and Mayo County Council,” stated Mr Dunne.
The association delivers a number of key health promotion initiatives each year to support the community here in Mayo on various topics that support their understanding on mental health issues.
