'My Mental Health Matters' is the theme for the upcoming Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Fest which will feature a wide range of in-person and online activities to suit all ages.

The key focus of the festival from October 8 to 15 is to promote mental health and well-being in Kerry through a fun and interactive programme of events throughout the county.

Well known Irish sports and entertainment personalities have joined many local voices – young and old – to share a video message outlining how their mental health matters to them.

“Whether I’m on tour, chilling in my dressing room, or if I’m doing my grocery shopping in the supermarket, my mental health matters,” Boyzone singer and actor, Keith Duffy, said.

Magician Keith Barry, Killarney Paralympian Jordan Lee, Otto the Clown from Fossetts Circus, All-Ireland winning captain, Sean O’Shea and many other Kerry people, have also shared similar mental health messages.

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

“The key message from this year’s fest is that we all need to remember that whatever we do and wherever we are – regardless of gender, age or employment status – our mental health matters," Chair of the Steering Committee and Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention in Kerry, Donagh Hennebry, said.

"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. More events are in-person this year which will help us to connect with others more than was possible during COVID. We are 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 Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Fest, which is celebrating five years, 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 | Be Active.

There’s still time for sports clubs, organisations, workplace or community groups to host an event. All events are free, registration is essential and can be done by visiting www.kerrymentalhealthandwellbeingfest.com or following on social media.