New First Minister and Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones will be the special guest at Mental Health Matters Wales’ first annual conference on Friday 19 March.
The event is part of the Big Lottery-funded ‘Siaradwn Ni – Let’s Talk’ initiative, a five-year project being delivered across Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend to promote positive mental health.
It’s being held between 12 noon and 4.30p at the Bethlehem Church Life Centre, Cefn Cribwr, near Bridgend and will focus on the theme Men and Mental Health.
As well as the First Minister, the conference will hear from key people working in the mental health field, members of the National Assembly, and men who use local services and have experience of mental ill-health.
There will be opportunity for networking over lunch plus workshops on key issues, and information from the conference will be used to raise awareness and look at how services can move forward.
Jan Kearn, director of Mental Health Matters Wales, said: “This will be a really positive event exploring how mental health issues affect men at different times in their lives. Mental ill-health can affect anyone at anytime so I’m delighted that we are holding this conference to spread the message that it’s good to talk, share experiences and seek support”.
‘Siaradwn Ni – Let’s Talk’ is aimed at working with local voluntary and statutory agencies to promote positive mental wellbeing, reduce barriers to accessing support, provide training and support people who might be affected by mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or self-harm.
For tickets and further information about the conference on 19 March contact Mental Health Matters on 01656 651450 or e-mail admin@mhmwales.org
ENDS
Editor’s notes:
- Siaradwn Ni is a £1m project funded by BIG Lottery and the project runs from 2009 – 2014. Organisations providing services include: Yellow Wales, Mental Health Matters Wales, Cruse Bereavement Morgannwg, Bethlehem Church Life Centre, The Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme, Youth Works and Mind Cymru.
- For more information contact the following Siaradwn Ni Coordinators during office hours: Bridgend: Claire Foster clairefoster@bavo.org.uk 01656 810400; Neath Port Talbot: – Neath Port Talbot CVS info@nptcvs.org.uk 01639 631246
- If you need to talk you can call the Samaritans (UK Wide) 08457 90 90 90 or CALL (Community Advise and Listening Line/Wales Wide 24 hour support) 0800 132737.