Mental Health Success in Glenamaddy

The ‘Seen but not Herd’ programme culminated by Glenamaddy Community Centre hosting an outstanding event discussing mental health and stress, and its impact on Farm Families.

Chaired by the Chairperson of Galway Rural Development (GRD), Councillor Pete Roche, and with Maria Walsh MEP and Michael Fitzmaurice TD among those speaking; members of the farming and rural community attended to find out more about mental health with information provided on many of the supports and advice available.

‘Seen but not Herd’ is jointly run by GRD and the HSE, and is managed in Glenamaddy by SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activity Programme) officer Emily Hughes, and administered by Laurence Gaughan, Project Manager with the HSE. GRD have warmly praised both the HSE and Age Friendly Ireland for their cooperation.

“We had our first meeting on November 1st of last year, targeted at the farming community of Glenamaddy and its hinterland” said Emily. “The initiative is essentially about being proactive with mental health, and about building resilience. We have helped attendees to build resilience through different events and getting them the right information so people know where to go.”

“The programme has now wrapped-up for this year with a terrific panel discussion, and my thanks go to all our guests who spoke on the impact of mental health and stress on farm families. It was an event that everyone was welcomed to come along to and many stuck around to have a cup of tea afterwards. It was a great success, from the raffle on the night to the refreshments.”

Chairperson of GRD Pete Roche praised all of those involved and thanked Emily and the SICAP team for delivering such an impactful programme and event. “The 25-30 members of the programme have been involved in several initiatives from ‘Fit Farmers’ fitness projects, to music workshops, to mental health initiatives and everything from crime prevention evenings to sport".

“In addition to Maria and Michael, we also want to thank Francis Bligh of Teagasc, Derek Pepper of Shine, Joe Burke of Pieta House and of course Shane Walsh for their contributions. Because of the unqualified success of the Seen but not Herd programme in Glenamaddy, I know that the SICAP team are hopeful to mirror it in communities across the county over the coming years.”