How Are You? Mental Health awareness event on March 30
Asking this small question and having one conversation can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Hello, How Are You? is a national campaign about connection and engaging in open conversations about mental health. On March 30, the Hello campaign will invite communities in County Tipperary to say Hello and ask the question ‘How Are You?’ in a meaningful way.
Mental Health Ireland has teamed up with Iarnród Éireann to invite the nation to say Hello and ask How Are You? with meaning this March 30. Now in its second year, the national Hello, How Are You? campaign highlights the importance of staying connected, helps tackle loneliness, creates a sense of belonging and builds relationships. It also encourages early help-seeking through reliable information on mental health support services and signposting.
Findings from a recent survey (December 2022) conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of Mental Health Ireland showed that 92% of people are comfortable having conversation with friends about worries. However, 21% of people are not confident in knowing how to support friends with worries. The Hello, How Are You campaign speaks to this by offering support, steps and resources that help with starting and having these more difficult conversations.
See full survey at: https://hellohowareyou.info/about/#impact-and-benefits
There are so many ways to slow down and genuinely engage with a family member, friend or even a stranger. You don’t need to be an expert to have a meaningful conversation. By using the HELLO Steps you can feel supported in asking the question. Let’s make saying Hello and asking How Are You? an everyday question that keeps us connected.
H: Say Hello
E: Engage with the person
L: Listen to them
L: Learn about them and what they might be saying
O: Give them time to talk and to explore options
FURTHER DETAILS
For free Hello resources, toolkits and all the information you need in different
languages, head to www.hellohowareyou.info/resources
On Thursday, March 30, there will be Hello, How Are You? events and volunteers all over the country. From coffee mornings to fundraising challenges, there’s lots of ways for communities, schools and workplaces to get involved with the campaign this year.
This year, Iarnród Éireann is supporting the mental health campaign with Hello champions and volunteers at Heuston (Dublin), Cork (Kent) and Galway (Ceannt) stations on March 30 and Iarnród Éireann Wellbeing Champions leading Hello events running across the country.
Jo Donohoe, Mental Health Promotion Manager, Mental Health Ireland: “Last year, the first year of Hello campaign, we were staggered by the level of engagement across the country. This year, partnering with Iarnród Éireann will help us elevate the campaign to bring it to every community in Ireland. Hello, How Are You? is all about connecting as is Iarnród Éireann which is why this partnership is a great fit.
“On March 30, we are inviting organisations, schools, workplaces and individuals to say Hello and ask How Are You? From coffee mornings to sharing information, getting out for a walk and chat, or even simply picking up the phone, there’s so many ways to connect and celebrate this campaign. We are a nation of great talkers and this campaign offers the tools to ask the question ‘How Are You?’ with confidence and meaning and really listen to the answer.”