New €9.6 million cross-border mental health and well-being project launched


A €9.6 million cross-border initiative designed to enable people with mild and/or emerging mental health difficulties, to access early intervention programmes and support, has been officially launched. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The Community Connections and Well-being Project has received €9,589,178 in funding and […]

Donegal children waiting over a year to see a councillor


DONEGAL deputy Pearse Doherty (SF) has said it is “unacceptable” that children in Donegal are waiting over a year to see a councillor. The TD has said that Sinn Féin’s Mental Health Action Plan would transform the delivery of mental health services in Donegal. Deputy Doherty was speaking after he launched Sinn Féin’s Mental Health Action plan in […]

‘We see the world not as it is but as we are’ – Donegal free mental health training on offer


BY JEROME HUGHES IN a world where our perceptions shape our reality, mental health emerges as a collective concern, influenced by factors beyond individual control. The impact of war, health crises, and economic struggles has put a strain on our well-being. Advertisement Amidst life’s stressors like unemployment and housing insecurity, individuals can feel overwhelmed and trapped, […]

Rise in suicide rate linked to Covid-19


by Jerome Hughes THERE has been a significant increase in the number of suicides in County Donegal due to mental health issues associated with Covid-19, according to the County Coroner. Dr Denis McCauley told the Donegal News: “Unfortunately, there was an increase in the number of suicides in 2023, many more than there would have […]

€11,000 raised in Donegal for youth mental health


A Christmas Trolley Dash, organised by Lidl in Donegal, has raised more than €11,000 in support of Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. A Lidl statement said: “Now in its tenth year, the fundraising initiative received phenomenal widespread support from generous customers across Lidl’s 179 stores nationwide, with Lidl customers in County Donegal […]

Funding for mental health supports for students


MORE than €400,000 in funding for mental health supports for students at the Atlantic Technologic University (ATU) has been announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today. The ATU is set to receive a €431,667 share of a €5 million allocation to assist students in higher education nationally. Minister Harris said the funding […]

Men encouraged to take small steps to improve mental health


The HSE is encouraging men to set simple, realistic and practical tasks to improve their health this Men’s Health Week 2023. The HSE together with the Men’s Health Forum Ireland and a host of other partner organisations is marking Men’s Health Week 2023 starting on Monday  June 12 and ending on June 18. This year […]

Night of music, friendship and fashion in aid of Donegal’s wellness cafés


A ‘Mental Health and the Arts Variety Concert’ is set to take place in An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, on January 26 at 8pm. A night of song, music, friendship and fashion is expected with all proceeds on the night going to the wellness café network in Donegal. Tickets are €5 and are available at https://angrianan.com. Advertisement […]

Children prescribed anti-depressants over 1,000 times


CHILDREN in Donegal have been prescribed anti-depressants on more than 1,000 occasions over the past ten years, according to new figures. The numbers come to light amid a scandal that has engulfed the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). A major report was published in January and to date 240 families have received apologies […]