Content Page – Mayo GAA

Health & Well-Being

About us

The Mayo GAA Health and Well-being Initiative mirrors the World Health Organisations view that "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." In Mayo the GAA plays a vital role within the community. The GAA is the heart and soul of each community within Mayo and by working together we can each play a part in the promotion of living a positive and healthy lifestyle. As individuals and communities it is important that we look after all aspects of our health, both physical and mental.

We aim to put mental and physical health on an equal playing field in the hope that we can remove any existing stigmas around seeking professional help or support for any health issues or concerns that may arise in our daily lives.

Health and Well-Being Committee 2022

Committee Members:

NAME POSITION CLUB

Fran Downey Bealach Nua Peer Support

Worker Chairperson Ballina Stephenites GAA

Mags Downey-Martin Ballina Chamber

of Commerce Secretary Ballina Stephenites GAA

Peadar Gardiner Mindspace Mayo Crossmolina Deelrovers GAA

Lianne McManamon Mayo Mental Health Association Castlebar Mitchells LGFA

Pat Conway Health Promotion & Improvement HSE Westport GAA

Deirdre Donnelly Mayo Sports Partnership Ballintubber GAA

Pat O'Donnell Croí Westport GAA

Micheal Durcan Western Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force Ballinrobe GAA

Laurence Gaughan Healthy Ireland HSE Castlebar GAA

Neil Sheridan Mayo County Council Balla GAA

Delia Rattigan Childrens Officer Mayo GAA Breaffy GAA

Noreen Johnston Peer Support Kilmeena GAA

Toni Bourke Peer Support Breaffy GAA

Caroline Mahon Peer Support Hollymount/Carramore GAA

Lisa MaCann Peer Support Ballyhaunis GAA

Our Mission

Mayo GAA is committed to promoting health and wellbeing throughout our memberships, our clubs and our communities. We will achieve this through the provision of information, initiatives, and campaigns to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Areas of work include:

Healthy Eating
Mental Fitness & Emotional Wellbeing
Physical Activity
Gambling
Alcohol & Drug Education
Personal & Community Development

Our Vision

To lead out in the promotion of the health and wellbeing needs of our communities through the provision of information and various initiatives and campaigns for people of all ages. To be committed to the development of people of all ages in leading a positive and healthy lifestyle.

We will support any clubs within the County that are engaged in the Healthy Clubs Project, including the GAA Social Initiative for older members which promotes inclusion and integration.

We will also ensure the provision of a Critical Incident Response Plan (CIRP) both with our clubs and at a County Level.

Resources

Mental Health

“Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community” (World Health Organisation, 1986)

This section is designed to point people in the direction of mental health services & supports available in Mayo.

Useful Links

https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/

https://www.mayomha.ie/services-in-mayo.html

https://www.mindspacemayo.ie/

https://westbewell.ie/

https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/mental-fitness/

Drugs & Alcohol

This section is designed to give support and point people in the direction of services for drug and or alcohol use and gambling.

Useful Links

https://www2.hse.ie/alcohol/

https://www.wrdatf.ie/links.php

https://www.wrdatf.ie/family-support.php

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/

Physical Activity

“Physical activity refers to all movement. Popular ways to be active include walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation and play, and can be done at any level of skill and for enjoyment by everybody” (World Health Organisation)

Useful Links

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/carerssupport/caringforyourself/physicalhealth.html

https://www.mayo.ie/healthy-mayo

Nutrition

Useful Links

https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/n4r0tferxrepcbst6ii1.pdf

https://www.indi.ie/sports-nutrition.html

Gambling

Useful Links

https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/ula4etxslpqaaxmh3whh.pdf

Healthy Club Project:

The Healthy Club project aims to help GAA clubs explore how they support the holistic health of their members and the communities they serve. GAA clubs already contribute to the health and wellbeing of their members by providing opportunities to develop their physical, social, emotional, and psychological health.

The project aims to help GAA clubs identify what they are already doing well, identify areas where they can or would like to improve, and empower them to ensure that everyone who engages with their club benefits from the experience in a health-enhancing way, be they players, officers, coaches, parents, supporters, or members of their local community.

The healthy club model, which is based on best national and international practice, also aims to embed a healthy philosophy in a club while integrating health into the day-to-day club activities in a sustainable way. It also aims to place the local GAA club at the heart of the community, making it a beacon for health in the locale.

List of Healthy Clubs

Phase 3 Phase 4

Aghamore GAA Ballina Stephenites GAA

Achill GAA Ballinrobe GAA GAA

Breaffy GAA Ballyhaunis GAA

Mitchells Castlebar GAA Burrishoole GAA

CLG Thuar Mhic Eadaigh Kilmeena GAA

Davitts GAA Mayo gaels GAA

Moy Davitts LGFA

Phase 4 cont.. The Neale GAA

Phase 5 Current Phase:

CLG Cill Chomain

Hollymount/Carramore GAA

Knockmore GAA

Moy Davitts GAA

Westport GAA

Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin GAA

Critical Incident Response Plan

Information & Support:

Critical incident planning is the process of responding to a situation or critical incident by following 5 Key Principles during any crisis situation or critical incident. 1. Promote a sense of safety 2. Promote a sense of calm 3. Promote a sense of self-efficacy and collective efficacy (i.e. the capacity to deal with the situation) 4. Promote connectedness 5. Promote hope

What is a critical Incident:

A critical incident is defined as a situation that overwhelms one’s natural capacity to respond. These are as broad and varied in their nature as any situation that can befall any individual, club, or community.

Defining a critical incident

A critical incident is any event that is outside the range of usual human experience. It is an event that causes an unusually intense stress reaction which has the emotional power to overwhelm an individual’s usual ability to cope. It may impede people’s coping mechanisms immediately or in the future following the event. (GPA/GAA guidelines, 2014.)

Examples of some critical incidents may include:

• Death or serious injury on or off the playing field • Exposure to the aftermath of a road traffic accident e.g. the accident scene, the victim(s) • Personal loss or injury, real or threatened to a child or adult • Being violently threatened • Close encounter with death • Suicide of a club member (this tragic situation can cause extreme distress and confusion for everyone involved. Guidelines developed by professional services highlighting the most appropriate

responses following a death by suicide by sporting organisations are available. Some of this information has been included in a special section on suicide in the Appendix section of this resource.) • A situation with excessive media interest • A natural disaster or act of God • Other incidents not covered above but which are associated with unusually strong emotional reactions.

Useful Contacts

Mayo Mental Health Association offers a confidential signposting service for people in the community who may be experiencing mental health difficulties.

T: 094 9028148

W: www.mayomha.ie

Mindspace Mayo free and confidential support service young people

Mindspace Mayo is a free and confidential support service for young people's mental health and wellbeing. Mindspace's aim is to support young people aged between 15 – 25.

T: 094 9067001

W: www.mindspacemayo.ie

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