This year Kerry GAA & East Kerry GAA are encouraging members to support the Green Ribbon Campaign, during the month of May
to spark a conversation to end the stigma about mental health. #greenribbonirl
This stigma prevents many people from accessing the help they so badly need when in times of distress.
May is designated nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Remember you dont need to be an expert to start talking about mental health or have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know you are there for them and simply listen.
About the Green Ribbon Campaign
The Green Ribbon campaign is delivered by See Change (www.seechange.ie) which aims to get people talking openly about common mental health problems, encouraging everyone to talk, listen, feel less alone or to seek support, by;
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Creating an environment where people are more open and positive in their attitudes and behaviour towards mental health.
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Promoting a greater understanding and acceptance of, and support for people with mental health problems.
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Creating an environment where people with experience of mental health problems are empowered to gain equality, respect and rights.
What you can do to support Green Ribbon this May in your local club
Visit the new See Changes website www.seechange.ie/green-ribbon/ for information on how you can;
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Encourage all club members to wear the green ribbon
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Mentors of teams, coaches, club officers etc.. to get behind the campaign by wearing the green ribbon and using their social media accounts to spread the word
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Encourage well known local players to be ambassadors for their club in helping to get the conversation going around mental health through green ribbon
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Follow the campaign on Twitter (@SeeChangeIRL), Facebook (www.facebook.com/SeeChangeIreland/) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/seechangeirl/).
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Use the hash tag #GreenRibbonIRL
Club Games in May
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Get in touch with Bernie Reen, Chairperson or any member of Kerry GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee if your club would be interested in promoting the campaign at one of your club games throughout May
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Simply distributing a green ribbon to people attending games would have a huge impact in getting the conversation going
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Include information of the Green Ribbon campaign on match programmes