GMIT Mayo awarded Amber Flag for positive mental health campaigns

GMIT Mayo has been awarded the Amber Flag, from the voluntary national group Suicide Aware, in recognition of GMIT students’ successful mental health promotion campaigns. The Flag was formally raised by GMIT President, Dr Fergal Barry, at a ceremony on campus attended by staff and student including the GMIT Student Health Promotion Team.

 

The GMIT Student Mental Health Promotion Team is a student-led association which promotes mental health awareness within GMIT Mayo and the wider community, providing support through information sharing. The group has run a number of successful campaigns over the past year such including the White Ribbon campaign and mental health promotion talks involving GAA star Conor Cusask, Tom Meagher  and the 2014 Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh.

 

Chairperson of the Student Mental Health Promotion Team, Michelle Lafrenier, who is a studying a Bachelor of Science in Social Care, says: “The events we put on are in hope that we empower people with different skills and tools to overcome their challenges. As Albert Einstein quotes "we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used in creating them".

 

“The Amber Flag initiative has given us a framework to develop ideas and idealism. Taking part will help the health of all who participate and will have a positive effect on individuals and communities.  The idea of the Amber Flag was developed by Suicide Aware.  We are the only organisation in County Mayo that has been awarded it on our own accord.”

 

The raising of the Amber flag took place in GMIT Castlebar on 20 October 2015.  Speakers included Declan Murphy, Student Union President, Mayo Campus, and Dr Fergal Barry President.