The Westmeath footballers will carry a message aimed at increasing mental health awareness on their jerseys when they play Armagh in the Allianz League next Sunday.

"Together for Mental Health" is an initiative involving Pieta House and Good2Talk, and supported by the county's main sponsors O’Brien’s Renault. 

Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress, those who engage in self-harm and those bereaved by suicide. Good2Talk offers a counselling and support service for those who present with a range of issues, including depression, grief, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation.

The launch of the initiative took place at O’Brien’s Renault in Mullingar last Thursday evening.

Westmeath GAA chairman Billy Foley said: “We are delighted to partner with Pieta House and Good2Talk for this special day in TEG Cusack Park. We know our patrons will support the initiative and hope that through it at least one person will acknowledge and seek support for their mental health. Our thanks to our players and team management for their unwavering support for this proposal, and thanks also to all in Armagh for their support also”.

Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta House commented: “We are extremely grateful to Westmeath GAA, the players, captains and fans for their kind and generous support of Pieta House through this initiative, Together For Mental Health. With the support of the local community we have been able to help over 600 people in crisis over the past three years from our Athlone centre. The funds received from match day collections will go a long way to helping us provide our nationwide services in 2020 which are free of charge to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm”.

Manager and CEO of Good2Talk, Kathleen Poynton said: “We wish to thank Westmeath GAA and Renault Ireland for offering us this opportunity to highlight our services. Good2Talk extends a counselling service which is available to all members of the community and are very well supported and respected locally. We are really pleased to partner with Pieta House for this idea, with our joint slogan “Together for Mental Health” as an apt statement”.

Ciaran O’Brien of O’Brien’s Renault, Mullingar stated: We strongly support the outstanding work of all the counselling staff at Pieta House and Good2Talk and are delighted to give our full support to next Sunday’s event. We thank the Armagh players for their help and are really pleased to support the 'Together for Mental Health' slogan on the Westmeath jerseys for the day”.

Westmeath county footballers will next weekend carry a special message on their jerseys for the clash against Armagh “Together for Mental Health” an initiative involving Pieta House and Good2Talk and supported by the county main sponsors O’Brien’s Renaulthttps://t.co/h4jIe04M5Q

— westmeathgaaofficial (@westmeath_gaa) February 17, 2020

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