Julia Smyth and Finola Colgan on the Hill of Uisneach.

Say ‘Hello, How Are, You’

Published: Mon 4 Apr 2022, 4:26 PM

Last updated: Mon 4 Apr 2022, 4:28 PM

A walk on the Hill of Uisneach on Sunday week last served to raise awareness of the Mental Health Ireland (MHI) ‘National Hello Day’ this Thursday (April 7) from the centre of Ireland.

The theme of the day is ‘Hello, How Are, You?, and MHI, building on previous experience of hosting a number of county Hello How Are You days, are hosting a national one. Mullingar Mental Health Association ran a successful day on June 21 last year on theme ‘The Longest Day of the Year to ask a short question, Hello How Are You?’, and Julia Smyth from Mullingar MHA said she is delighted to see the event go national.

She said the campaign is about connection and having an open conversation about mental health; it is asking individuals, communities workplaces friends and families to say ‘Hello, how are you’ in a meaningful way. There are five steps: H.E.L.L.O. H: Hello E: Engage L: Listen L: Learn and O: Options.

Finola Colgan, MHI development officer, said: “The concept of the campaign is that asking this short but meaningful question and having one conversation can make a real difference in someone’s life. Staying connected with others helps tackle loneliness, creates a sense of belonging and purpose and builds relationships.”

A survey conducted by Healthy Ireland Survey 2021. (gov.ie/en/publication/9ef45-the-healthy-ireland-survey-2021/) found that 81pc of respondents showed lower levels of social connectedness in recent times. In response to that, MHI has developed this campaign to start conversations, encouraging greater social connection, by saying Hello, How Are You?

Ms Colgan said: “No event is too small to start important conversations and to say hello, How Are You?, and we are available to support community groups, workplaces, and organisations to get involved and host an event such as a coffee morning, a walk or a workshop or an awareness session in your place of work.

"There are many free tools and resources so let’s make saying Hello and asking How Are You? an everyday question that keeps us connected.”