A programme of free events for the 2021 Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Fest, taking place next month, has been launched with a range of activities to suit all ages.

The key focus of the #KerryMHWFest, from October 9 to 16, is to promote mental health and well-being in Kerry through a fun and interactive programme of online and in-person events.

The festival aims to create awareness of, and schedule events that empower people to engage with, the Five Ways to Well-being – Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Be Active.

“The past 18 months, more than any other time in our lives, has taught us how we need to mind our mental health," Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Jimmy Moloney, who launched this year’s Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Fest, said.

"During this year’s Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Fest, I’m encouraging everyone in the county to take time out to learn, talk, reflect, and engage with others around the topic of mental health and well-being. We should also encourage anyone with mental health issues to reach out and avail of supports and services available.”

Organised by an interagency steering group, the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.

The Chair of the Steering Committee and Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention in Kerry, Donagh Hennebry, said the festival committee is "grateful to the many people who have put their names forward to host a range of fun and interactive events that will promote mental health and well-being in Kerry".

"The emphasis on community and the role that we can all play in ensuring our own mental health, and that of our friends and family, is strong. Many events are online again this year due to COVID, but this gives us an opportunity to widen our reach to welcome festival-goers to enjoy a virtual experience from afar.”

The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, and Kerry Volunteer Centre.

All events are free, registration is essential and can be done by contacting the organiser of that event directly or use the registration links provided in the brochure. Visit HealthyKerry.ie to see the full event schedule or for general enquiries about the Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Fest, please email kerrymhwfest20@gmail.com.