‘Recovery is possible’

Tipperary Mental Health Week 2025 concluded with a vibrant and inspiring public event at TUS Thurles Campus on World Mental Health Day, on Friday, October 10. The week-long programme, themed ‘Recovery is Possible’, brought together communities, service providers, and individuals with lived experience to celebrate mental health recovery and promote wellbeing across the county.

The final event featured a rich and moving schedule of speakers, including:

- Eddie Kendrick, counsellor and gambling addiction therapist, who shared insights from his personal and professional journey.

- Rita Bourke and Gina Delaney, who offered powerful lived and family recovery stories.

- A panel discussion on ‘Recovery Choices - Offering Hope’ facilitated by Catherine Brogan (CEO, Suicide or Survive), with contributions from leaders in peer support, research, and mental health services including Shine, Grow Mental Health, Involvement Centre, HSE CAMHS, and Mental Health Engagement and Recovery (MHER).

- Presentations from Better Together and Tipperary Volunteer Centre, highlighting the role of community and volunteerism in recovery.

- The event concluded with a guided restorative mindfulness session led by Niamh Murphy, Deputy Head of TUS Mid-West Student Counselling Service.

- Attendees also engaged with the TUS Mental Health Fair, where over 20 organisations showcased local and national supports available to the public. The fair provided a valuable opportunity for connection, information-sharing, and community engagement.

Rosemary Ryan, HSE Mid-West Mental Health Engagement Lead and MC of the Main Event, said: “The energy and openness at this year’s event was truly inspiring. It’s a privilege to help create a space where people feel safe to share their stories and where recovery is not only spoken about - but seen, heard, and celebrated.”

A County-Wide Celebration of Mental Health and Recovery

Running from October 6 to 12, Tipperary Mental Health Week featured a diverse and inclusive calendar of events across the county, including:

- Grow Mental Health: Peer support session in Templemore Library.

- North Tipperary Development Company: Wellness Cafés in Thurles, Roscrea, and Nenagh.

- C-SAW Tipperary: Open evening in Nenagh encouraging people to ‘Take Time to Talk’.

- Mental Health Ireland: Online Connect Cafés and a Five Ways to Wellbeing workshop.

- Jigsaw: ‘One Good Adult Workshop’ in Thurles Hub.

- HSE Office for Suicide Prevention: Online training and signposting sessions.

- Clonmel Remembrance Walk: A moving tribute to those lost, held on Wednesday 8th October.

- Silver Arch Family Resource Centre: Walk & Talk sessions in Newport and Borrisokane, and a creative journaling workshop in Nenagh.

- The week also included Mental Health Fairs at TUS Clonmel and Thurles, offering attendees the chance to meet service providers and explore supports available in their communities.

“This year’s theme, Recovery is Possible, was brought to life by the incredible stories, partnerships, and community spirit we witnessed throughout the week,” said Eoin Kaar, Healthy County Co-ordinator.

“We are deeply grateful to all who participated and supported the events.”

Cillian Keane, Development Officer with Mental Health Ireland, added: “Tipperary Mental Health Week shows the power of community in action. When we come together to listen, learn, and support one another, we build a culture where mental health recovery is not just possible - it’s expected.”

Tipperary Mental Health Week is co-ordinated by a dedicated working group of statutory and community partners, including the HSE, Tipperary County Council, Mental Health Ireland, TUS Midwest Student Counselling, Tipperary ETB, Tipperary Volunteer Centre, Silver Arch Family Resource Centre, North Tipperary Development Company, Jigsaw, Shine, Grow, and the Involvement Centre in Clonmel.

All events were free and open to the public, reflecting a shared commitment to building a more compassionate, inclusive, and mentally healthy Tipperary.