John Brady TD commends 'Be Well' youth movement in Wicklow

Speaking on the Sinn Féin motion on Mental Health this evening Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady took the opportunity to commend the Be Well youth movement across County Wicklow.

Teachta Brady said:

“On Monday of this week I attended the launch of ‘Be Well Wicklow’ which originally started out in 2012 as Be Well Bray and has since expanded county wide.

“Be Well Wicklow consists of a group of young people from the age of 13 upwards who have taken on the challenge of promoting positive mental health in their communities.

“Be Well Wicklow is based on three key elements – battling the stigma surrounding youth mental health, learning and sharing skills that build resilience and ensuring that young people’s ideas and opinions are central to everything they do.

“Next week marks the group’s annual Be Well Week across Wicklow with a range of activities and events to raise awareness about Youth Mental Health and promoting positive mental health.

“I want to commend the work these young people have done – their engagement with the issue and their determination year on year to continue the conversation on mental health is something we can all learn a lot from. By taking on the challenge of promoting positive mental health they are inspiring many others throughout the country.

“I also would like to wish the other Be Wellers in Arklow with their first Be Well Week next week, the Be Wellers who are currently setting up in Kilcoole and other groups throughout the county.

Teachta Brady concluded:

“Young people are leading the way on mental health in Wicklow. They are setting the agenda and it is our job to recognise that and do all in our power to support groups such as Be Well Wicklow in the hope that we can have a Be Well movement in every county in the country.

“I am delighted that my party have brought forward this motion this evening and I hope that it will receive cross party support. In the words of Be Well Wicklow “Mental Health is not the same as Mental Illness, Everybody has Mental Health.”