Together at the Castle Mental Health and Wellbeing Event Returns for its 4th Year in Mallow

HSE South West is proud to announce that the hugely successful ‘Together at the Castle’ mental health and wellbeing event returns to Mallow Castle on Sunday, September 7, 2025 between 1pm to 5pm

The free community event is open to all and sees HSE South West continue its partnership with Mallow Chamber of Commerce, Cork County Council, Cork Mental health Foundation, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, See Change, SHINE, and An Garda Síochána 

Together at the Castle will again feature a wide variety of entertainment, recreational activities, workshops and informational spaces provided by up to 50 local and regional community groups and organisations. The event aims to foster a sense of community and raise awareness about the support services available for mental health and wellbeing.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Mary Linehan Foley, emphasised the significance of Together at the Castle: “Cork County Council is proud to support this important event which highlights the diverse range of wellbeing supports that are available and promotes positive mental health. We extend our sincere thanks to HSE South West and Mallow Chamber for partnering with us to bring this wonderful event to North Cork. This year the working group have worked hard to have something there for everyone at all ages therefore we are delighted to welcome all of the new activities, services and food stalls”.

Declan Cronin, Head of Mental Health Services at HSE South West, said: “‘Together at the Castle’ is more than just an event, it’s a powerful reminder that mental health is a shared journey. By bringing services, communities, and individuals together in such an open and welcoming space, we’re breaking down stigma and building up support. Events like this show that help is not only available, but accessible, and that no one has to face mental health challenges alone. We’re proud to stand with our partners in making mental wellbeing a visible and celebrated part of community life.”

Martin Ryan, HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with HSE South West expressed his delight in collaborating with Mallow Chamber of Commerce and Cork County Council and Cork Mental Health Foundation for this community event:“Mallow again is leading the way in the county for showcasing services and understanding the need to bring services together to support the wider community .We in mallow believe that we all have reasonability to carry support numbers and encourage people to take the often hardest step to seek help”. Martin went on to say that: “every year I am blown away by the continued partnership approach  by the business community, Cork County Council and other main agencies working together to ensure a great day for all.” 

Estelle Varney, President of Mallow Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Together at the Castle has become a much-loved event that brings people of all ages together in a warm and welcoming space to learn about mental health supports, access helpful information, and enjoy a day filled with fun, colour and connection. It plays a vital role in breaking down stigma and making resources more visible and approachable for everyone in our community. With activities for the whole family, uplifting entertainment, and a real sense of togetherness, it truly captures the spirit of Mallow. We are especially proud that this initiative – first introduced by Sharon Cregg during her presidency – continues to thrive under her enthusiastic leadership as a director of the Chamber.”

Brandan McCarty CEO Cork Mental Health Foundation says: “We in Cork Mental Health Foundation are delighted to be part of the organising committee for this amazing event. We have been part of it on the day for the last number of years and are delighted to have been asked to help in the organisation of the event this year. We look forward to meeting everyone on the day and to see all the fantastic services that are available to people in the area.””Over the past few months, we have worked collectively to ensure that this event offers a practical and positive approach to mental health and wellbeing in the local community. With the participation of up to 50 services, attendees will find something useful to engage with, or gain insight into seeking help. Our goal is to promote hope and recovery within our communities and remind people of the immense benefits of maintaining physical and mental wellbeing. Numerous supports are available to help us achieve that goal.”

Valerie Murphy, CEO of Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, expressed her enthusiasm for taking part in Together at the Castle again this year.

“At Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, we continue to work closely with statutory and voluntary partners to promote positive mental health and wellbeing across the North Cork region. Through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, we support individuals and communities in building a more inclusive and connected society. We’re proud to be part of this important event once again and look forward to returning to Mallow Castle this September.”

The Together at the Castle event aligns with See Change’s national annual mental health awareness campaign, the Green Ribbon campaign, which runs throughout the month of September. See Change, a programme dedicated to ending mental health stigma and discrimination in Ireland, will celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Green Ribbon campaign this year.

Some of the organisations that will be attending Together in the Castle include:

See Change

See Change is Ireland’s national programme dedicated to ending mental health stigma and discrimination. Its work is informed by people with lived experiences of mental health difficulties, including its 50+ trained ambassadors, who share their stories to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.

Across the country, See Change works with its ambassadors, partners and workplaces to debunk the myths and misconceptions about living with a mental health difficulty. See Change run fully-funded stigma reduction workshops, the national Green Ribbon campaign, as well as provide resources to workplaces to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.

See Change is funded by the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, in alignment with Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide. See Change is a programme of Shine, alongside Headline. www.seechange.ie/green-ribbon/ or contact them via email at info@seechange.ie.

Shine

Shine is a national organisation providing information and support for people affected by mental health difficulties. 

Shine supports individuals and family members through

• Individual recovery work

• Peer support groups 

• Training and education 

Shine also advocates for social change by promoting and defending the rights of all those affected by mental health difficulties to equal support and quality services. Shine is the only national mental health organisation specifically founded to support all family members. Shine has a local office in Cork

Website: www.shine.ie 

Headline

Headline is Ireland’s national programme responsible for reporting and representation of mental illness and suicide. 

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, about whatever is getting to you. You will not be judged or told what to do. You will be just be listened to, 365 days a year. We are always ready to listen. Tel: 116123 or jo@samaritans.ie

North Cork Social Prescribing

North Cork Social Prescribing is a free service based in the Le Chéile Family Resource Centre in Mallow. The Link Worker, Eithne Foley, helps to bridge the gap between you and your community. This is done through a series of leisurely one-to-one conversations, where the focus is on what matters to you; whether that is improving your health, making new friends, becoming more active, returning to education, or starting to volunteer. Together we make a plan and help you to be happier, healthier and more connected to your community. Mallow Le Chéile FRC, Eithne Foley, lwspp@lecheilefrc.ie https://thewellbeingnetwork.ie/community-referral/