Next week is Mental Health awareness week and as we find ourselves in grips of a health pandemic, our mental health is being severely impacted but the support is not there.
On Monday 12th October, the annual Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit takes place virtually which will provide genuine advice, coping skills, motivation and inspiration from world class speakers and advocates.
Event MC and qualified psychotherapist, Brent Pope, today said:
“COVID 19 is more than a physical virus, it’s a psychological one as well.
I have had a huge number of anonymous contacts especially in last few weeks. People just like you and me just wanting someone to talk to, to try and understand what they are experiencing. For many people, anxiety and depression has them in their grip, and it’s a new and frightening experience for most. What does the new future hold? How are they managing the family unit, how will they pay the bills? The question most readily asked is, when will I be my old self again?
More than ever, it is crucial that people have some sort of support network, and to have the courage to reach out when they are experiencing problems and know they will be heard.
The first step is to listen to the world class speakers at the Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit, you can do it privately, and take what you need from it, even if it is feeling better about your own situation. Nearly everybody is affected psychologically by COVID, nearly everyone is experiencing some form of loss, change is difficult. The first step to recovery is knowing you’re not alone and seeking help. Remember its ok not to feel Ok, we all feel like that sometimes, and it’s absolutely Ok, in fact it’s brave, to reach for help. Let the Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit be the first step to wellness.”
The Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit is the only event of its kind bringing speakers and attendees together from all sectors, experience and backgrounds to discuss and learn how we genuinely can make a difference to improve mental health at work, at home and in our daily lives.
Speakers include: Dr Deepak Chopra, Caroline Casey, Prof Jim Lucey, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Dr Colman Noctor, Phil Ni Sheaghgha (General Secretary INMO), Prof John Cryan (UCC), Dr Pat McKeon (Founder, AWARE), Oisin Scollard (Founder, Turn 2 Me), Maria Walsh (MEP)
Dr Colman Noctor, one of the country’s best known Child Psychotherapists has seen a huge increase in the demand for mental health services and added:
“As we are currently experiencing the second wave of coronavirus, there is a considerable anxiety and concern amongst many mental health experts that in the third wave, the pandemic will take a different perspective, where the main concern will be our mental health. Already, my colleagues and I are remarking on the sheer volume of referrals, concerns and worries that we are getting. From people who have never previously experienced mental distress to those who have been well for many years who are now struggling again.
It has never been more important than now for all of us to become mental health aware. Brush up on our skills of detection and support and to be there for one another. That’s why the Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit is so timely. The psychological impact of the pandemic has yet to be observed and we need to be as best prepared as we can be.”
This year, more than ever, the Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit is needed, so despite so many events being cancelled or postponed, organisers of the Summit were determined to make this one happen and have created a format for a live virtual event which will be engaging, interactive and most importantly, informative – against the backdrop of COVID-19.
Attendees will have access to the full Summit content for 10 days, so if you can’t watch it live you can play back any sessions you missed or want to watch again.
What: Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit 2020
Where: Virtual
When: Monday 12th October 2020 – LIVE from 9am
Now in its fifth year, the “Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit” has established itself as the biggest and most genuine Mental Health information event on the calendar of Employers, Educators, Sporting and Medical professionals and the general public from all over Ireland and abroad. With the summit moving to a Virtual format this year, it opens it up to a much wider audience, increasing the reach of people who can be helped by accessing this information.
This Summit delivers genuine information in a positive and relatable manner to help attendees implement impactful changes to their lives.
Topics will all be discussed against a backdrop of COVID-19 and include:
- Managing Anxiety
- Workplace Wellbeing
- Back to School – Support for Teachers in the classroom
- Brain & Gut Health
- Positive Thinking – A Practical Approach
- Youth Mental Health
- Emotional Eating
- Suicide Prevention
- Coping with Bereavement
Tickets and full schedule available on: mentalhealthandwellbeingsummit.com