This Friday 16th September, See Change, Ireland’s national stigma reduction partnership, will be taking conversation of mental health to the streets as part of Dublin’s fifth annual Park(ing) Day.
As part of this global Park(ing) Day experiment in reclaiming public space to create more people-friendly streets and along with 30 locations around Dublin, See Change have transformed a parking space on Camden Street (19 Camden Street), into a temporary public park featuring a Garden Tea Party scene. The space will offer people a chance to take time out and spark open discussion of mental health. The See Change Garden Tea Party will feature a Conversation Tree where people can hang a positive message about mental health in person or on social media. See Change will also distribute a ‘Grow your own conversation’ pack which contains information about mental health supports and sunflower seeds. See Change hope to communicate to the public that just like nurturing a plant, we all have to take steps to look after our mental health.
See Change’s Campaign Co-ordinator Hazel Whelan said; “See Change’s temporary park on Camden Street is a dedicated space for Dubliners and people visiting the city to have open discussions about mental health.The chances are that you or someone you know will go through a tough time at some point so why not talk about it and learn how to support each other?”
She continued; “You don’t 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 that you are there for them and simply listen.”
Everyone can play their part in this movement for openness and conversation around mental health by coming down to chat to the See Change PARK(ing) Day team at Camden St on Friday 16th September or starting your own conversation on See Change’s Twitter, facebook page or tweeting using the #SeeChangePARKing hashtag.