Donegal Mental Health Staff invited to social night to remember

A SPECIAL social event is being organised to honour the staff of Donegal Mental Health Services, both past and present.

This much-anticipated gathering is set to take place on Friday, September 6th, at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny. The evening will begin with a drinks reception at 7 PM, followed by a delicious buffet.

The night is designed to be a relaxed and enjoyable evening, with the dress code being casual, allowing everyone to unwind and reconnect.

Entertainment for the night will be provided by the popular band Sailor Bill plus some amazing prizes are up for grabs.

The night will also incorporate all staff who are currently based in community teams and supervised hostels throughout the county.
Eugene Duffy from Donegal Mental Health, told the Donegal News about the rich history of the service, highlighting the dedication of staff across various roles.

“We want to acknowledge all disciplines of staff, going back to the days of the boiler house when people used to maintain the heat. We used to have a team of boiler house workers who kept the furnace stocked with turf to keep the hospital warm.

“Back in those days, the hospital was self-sufficient; we grew our own vegetables, raised cattle, and produced our own milk. Even the nurses played a role beyond their medical duties, taking care of cleaning tasks like washing windows and waxing floors, which later transitioned to household staff.”

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Donegal Mental Health Services patients’ comfort fund and The Donegal Women’s Centre, both of which play a crucial role in supporting the community.

“The Donegal Women’s Centre provides crucial counselling services,” Duffy explained.

“I work in a service that deals with suicide crisis, where we assess individuals and, when needed, refer them for counselling in the community.

We often rely on The Donegal Women’s Centre for these services, for both male and female clients. It’s extremely important to support the centre as they rely solely on donations.”

He also expressed the hope that this event would serve as a chance for all staff to reconnect, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“There are five different sectors in the county, so we’re looking to bring together people from all sectors, possibly helping everyone to reconnect post-COVID.”

This event promises to be a memorable night, celebrating the contributions of those who have worked tirelessly for Donegal Mental Health Services, while also supporting important community causes.

Tickets for the evening are priced at €30, with a discounted rate of €20 available for members of the Sports and Social Club, who can also bring a guest at the same rate. Seniors are also welcome at the reduced price of €20.

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