The Change Your Mind Festival, organised by the Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services, will take place on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, at the Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo.
And best of all, it’s completely free!
Founded in 2018 by Dr. Ignazio Graffeo, a Senior Registrar with the Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services, Change your Mind Festival was created with one powerful goal: to break down the stigma around mental health by encouraging open conversations. Dr. Graffeo envisioned a space where people could explore wellness and learn about the resources that help us all thrive. This festival is about more than just talking, it’s about transforming the way we think about mental health, together. This is the sixth year of the festival and it continues to grow and change the narrative around mental health.
You will hear powerful personal stories from individuals who have faced and overcome mental health challenges. By sharing their experiences, they provide valuable insights and contribute to normalizing discussions around mental health. The festival is built on a simple belief: the more we talk, the more we heal.
From expert talks to hands-on activities, this year’s festival promises something for everyone:
- Family-Friendly Fun: Bring the whole family! There will be children’s entertainment including puppet theatre, a magic show, and face painting.
- Mental Health in the Travelling Community: An insight into the personal experiences of the Travelling Community and their struggles with mental health stigma.
- Women’s Mental Health: A special panel will discuss menopause, ADHD, and how these factors uniquely affect women’s mental health.
- Expert Speakers & Panels: Leading mental health advocates and professionals from across Ireland will be sharing their stories and advice.
- Special Guest: Brent Pope: Brent Pope is a former professional rugby player, coach and analyst. Brent has publicly shared his experience of a life living with mental health issues, where he tries to thrive rather than survive. Brent's talks are both powerful, emotionally thought-provoking and life-changing with valuable takeaways.
- Special Guest; Aimee Louise Carton, one of Ireland’s top mental health advocates and founder of KeepAppy, will share how her battle with depression led to creating Europe’s fastest-growing wellness app.
- Sligo’s Lockstock and 2JokingAddicts will return to talk about addiction recovery, with a surprise guest joining them for an exciting conversation.
- Wellness Activities: Throughout the day, our dedicated wellness room will host free Yoga, Zumba, Dance, Fitness and Mindfulness sessions, helping you relax, recharge, and explore new ways to support your mental health.
The festival will run in three main sessions at 11am, 3pm and 7pm, but feel free to drop in and out throughout the day. No tickets or pre-booking required.
This year, we’re proud to partner with Connecting for Life, Irelands national suicide reduction strategy. Connecting for Life sets out a vision of an Ireland where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Join us for a day filled with fun, inspiration, education, and community. Together, we can spark the conversations that make a difference.
We can’t wait to welcome you to this year’s Change Your Mind Festival 2024!
Last updated on: 25 / 09 / 2024
