Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA praises GAA for tackling mental ill health

by Gráinne Connolly

Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA, Jemma Dolan met with members of the GAA Ulster Council in Stormont. 

(Jemma Dolan MLA, Pat Sheehan MLA, Barry McElduff MLA and Cllr Sean McPeake meet with reps from the Ulster Council, Diarmuid Marsden, Brian McAvoy, Bernie Fox, Geraldine McKavannagh​ and Stephen McGeehan at Stormont)

They discussed a number of issues at the meeting including the impact that Brexit may have on the GAA. 

Concern was raised in terms of cross border players and attendance at cross border matches.

They also talked about initiatives such as the upcoming Feile Peil na nÓg, which is being co-hosted by Fermanagh, Cavan and Monaghan from Friday 23rd June-Sunday 25th June. 

Councillor Dolan found the topic important for Fermanagh, stating:

"There are over twenty GAA clubs in Fermanagh. These clubs are the backbone of the local community, particularly in rural areas."

They also talked about the GAA's efforts in tackling mental health issues; which Jemma Dolan praised them for. 

“One of the areas in which the GAA has been making great strides in is mental health awareness and tackling mental illness. In the recent past a number of prominent GAA players have spoken publicly about their experience with mental illness and have told of how being active in their local club has helped them.

The GAA has recently produced a programme called "Heads Up".

Its been developed to assist GAA clubs in Ulster to promote mental wellbeing among members and to assist in supporting those who need it. 

Clubs have also been encouraged to adopt the Mental Health Charter developed by the Ulster Council. 

MLA Jemma Dolan went on to express how important it is that local clubs support the efforts to tackle mental ill health:

“It is heartening to see such an enormous effort being put into an illness that, although affecting 1 in 4 people, is still quite taboo.  I would call on local areas to support any initiatives of this nature that sporting clubs across the county are involved in.”