AN Irish organisation dedicated to ending mental health stigma, See Change, has launched it’s seventh annual Green Ribbon campain in Cork.

The Green Ribbon Campaign aims to end the stigma and change people’s attitudes to mental health problems by prompting hundreds of events and thousands of conversations all over Ireland during the month of May each year.

The campaign was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr Mick Finn at the Shine Resource Centre, on Washington Street.

Speaking about the importance of ending mental health stigma, Lord Mayor, Cllr Mick Finn said: “I am honoured to be here today at the Cork launch of the Green Ribbon Campaign. It is essential that we change the attitudes and culture around mental health and stigma. Mental health stigma remains a persistent problem. We need to create an environment where people can be open about their mental health difficulties and promote a greater understanding and acceptance of mental ill health.”

See Change is a national partnership working to change minds about mental health problems in Ireland. Funded by the HSE National Office of Suicide Prevention, the partnership is made up of over 100 organisations and 60 Ambassadors who work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems and challenge discrimination.

Co-ordinator of the Shine Resource Centre in Cork Tian Herbert said; “Stigma is a significant problem for people who experience mental ill health and has been recognised as a barrier to recovery. Communities and families play a vital part in the recovery process.”