A Waterford priest is supporting a campaign in Tramore to promote
positive mental health and provide information to people experiencing a
personal crisis.Last week Fr Michael Toomey and Cllr Maxine Keoghan launched a poster campaign which provides information for four major charities who specialise in assisting people who are in danger of self-harming, feeling depressed or in need of someone to talk to.
“For some, to actually pick up a phone or go onto a website, this may well be all they need to help them at whatever crisis they may be feeling at this time,” Fr Toomey said.
“For others, they may feel this is not for them, so the message of the campaign reminds all of us to chat to someone – a friend – a colleague – or a family member.”
Volunteers are placing a number of posters, designed and printed for free, on lampposts, shop windows, school corridors and sports halls throughout Tramore, which provide messages of support and contact information for Samaritans, Aware, Console, and 1Life.
The campaigners are hoping to spread the initiative nationwide and after a month the posters will be made available to other towns and villages.
“Even if only one person sees these posters and talks about their concerns or worries to any of the helplines or to a friend, that in itself makes this campaign all the worthwhile,” Fr Toomey said.