Ask a short question on the longest day: ‘Hello How R U?’
Three important words that can connect people, How are you?
June 21 is the Summer Solstice, when the tilt of the Earth brings it the closest to the Sun. By asking ‘How are you?’ any one of us can tilt the human feeling of closeness. Parallel to these movements of the Earth and Sun, we have grappled with the pandemic in the last 18 months, and documented evidence is now demonstrating that the combined effect of the pandemic and the necessary public health restrictions have affected people’s mental health and wellbeing.
With this in mind a number of partnership groups in Westmeath and Meath have come together to promote the Mental Health Ireland campaign ‘Hello How R U?’ to encourage the people of both counties to pause, be present and mindful in this special global moment and day to reach out and ask the question on June 21 – How R U?
Connecting regularly and meaningfully is one thing everyone can do to make a difference to anyone who might be struggling. It is a caring question that can be asked by anyone of us at any place or time.
All that is required is a listening ear, a little compassion while following the five steps provided on our conversation card H.E.L.L.O.
The steps will ensure that both people in the conversation feel supported and engaged (they are free to download from the Hello Westmeath FB page and mentalhealthireland.ie/HelloHowRU).
Joanne Donohoe, Mental Health Promotion manager, Mental Health Ireland, who with the support of Carlow MHA created this initiative and hosted it as an annual event since May 2015, said: “It’s great to concentrate this initiative within the county and get communities, organisations, workplaces, families behind it.
“People are enthusiastic and want to start the conversation about mental health in their communities.”
The Sun is representative of light, life and renewal, and the Hello How R U? campaign provides a lovely opportunity for each of us to be involved. Sonia Rennicks, head of Education, Training and e-Mental Health at Mental Health Ireland, in supporting the campaign, along with Finola Colgan, development officer, and Julia Smyth, Mullingar Mental Health Association, said that the aim of the day is “for us all to connect and check in with family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours, virtually or otherwise by asking How R U? Sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference”.
Julia Smyth said her association was pleased is to be in a lead role in promoting the campaign with the MHI Regional Office and that they appreciate the support from the Mullingar Credit Union Community Grant Programme to launch the campaign for Westmeath.Mental Health Ireland has a free secure online How R U Connect Café on Wednesday 23 June 11am to noon; registration at mentalhealthireland.ie/HelloHowRU.