Carlow Institute of Further Education Raising Awareness of Mental Health on Campus
Carlow Institute to embrace the ‘Elephant in the Room’
Carlow Institute of Further Education is honoured to be invited to act as Brand Ambassadors and sponsors, for the Elephant in the Room Initiative.
Staff and students from Carlow Institute attended the MENSANA launch supporting mental health promotion on Friday night at the Seven Oaks Hotel in partnership with Carlow Mental Health Association.
The Elephant in the Room initiative builds upon the successful Hello Carlow campaign, which was run in collaboration with students, guidance, management, and staff at Carlow Institute of Further Education, in collaboration with, Carlow Mental Health Association and Mental Health Ireland.
Chief Executive at KCETB, Dr. Lindsay Malone praised the project saying, “The Elephant in the Room initiative is very important for KCETB because it encourages open conversations about topics like mental health, breaking down stigma and fostering a culture of empathy and support. By addressing these issues head-on, it helps create safer, more inclusive learning and working environments where staff and students feel heard and valued.”
Speaking of their involvement in the initiative, David Forde, Principal said, “Our brilliant Psychology students have joined as partners with Carlow Mental Health Association’s Elephant in the Room initiative. This unique art project, the brainchild of Brent Pope, encourages us to talk about the ‘elephant in room’, our mental health. Carlow’s sculpture – Luna – was unveiled on Friday evening, and we are looking forward to January, when Luna will be at Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training, and our students will host a week of events to promote the ‘Elephant in the Room – Let’s talk’ project.”
Students studying Psychology at the college, will lead and run the event as part of their teamwork module assignment, to meet their Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) requirements.
