Monaghan Mental Health Schools Art Project 2010
(Scroll down to see the slideshow of winners and other entries!)

Our Art Display at the National Conference, Galway 2010
Post Primary Schools illustrate “Communication is the key”
Monaghan Mental Health Association (MMHA) members were delighted with the entries to their post primary schools art project last week when local second level schools pupils responded with work of superb quality and insight.
Teachers, parents and school children turned up for the awards night in the Westenra Hotel, Monaghan last Wednesday where winners from each school were presented with their certificates and prizes. MC for the night, Mental Health Ireland Development Officer, Sean Mc Kiernan, introduced MMHA Chairperson Margaret Fleming and Secretary Emer Brennan who welcomed everyone to the event stressing that among the Associations aims was getting out a positive mental health message to all groups and all ages.
Emer explained that MMHA hoped to put the artwork on display in the town shortly and added that the work would also be displayed on the soon to be launched MMHA web site. She said that local mental health groups were about getting out the message about mental health issues at local level. She added that local primary and post primary schools had an important role to play in developing positive attitudes to mental health and she thanked them for their support in that regard. She explained that Monaghan Mental Health Association is a local voluntary organisation with volunteers from all sections of Monaghan life. Its aims are to promote Positive Mental Health and to support those with mental health difficulties
The awards on the night were presented by MMHA members Emer Brennan, Esther Mc Manus, Rita O Reilly and Caroline Waters. After the awards were distributed, Chairperson Margaret Fleming interviewed the winners as she took a tour around the display of magnificent artwork. Each of the artists did themselves proud as they explained how they had come up with the idea for their individual piece.
Beechill’s Daniel Murray spoke of the importance of positivity and the need for communication through different stages of our lives. Cillian Connolly (Castleblayney College) described how he used many different words all linked to the theme of communication. Lauren Nolan representing the Collegiate used colour to portray freedom, peace and creativity. Sarah Mc Kernan, Colaiste Oiriall, spoke of learning to accept compliments and the different ways in which people can feel under pressure. Amy Mc Mahon’s (Largy College) entry was about being positive and letting your feelings out by communicating with those close to you. Lauren Kirk and Tara Hoey from Inver College spoke about how it is harder for young people to be heard because adults sometimes have problems of their own and don’t listen.
Sean Mc Kernan saluted the members of the MMHA for their consistent hard work, all of which, he stressed, was done in a voluntary capacity.
Monaghan Mental Health Association is very appreciative of the effort put in by all the schools involved in the competition this year, especially the principals and teachers who encouraged their pupils to take part.
Award Winners were:
Beechill College: Daniel Murray
Castleblayney College: Cillian Connolly
Collegiate College: Lauren Nolan
Colaiste Oiriall: Sarah Nic Tighearginn
St Louis Convent: Nicola O Reilly
Largy College: Amy Mc Mahon
Inver College: Lauren Kirk and Tara Hoey
Monaghan Mental Health Association (MMHA) members were delighted with the entries to their post primary schools art project last week when local second level schools pupils responded with work of superb quality and insight.
Teachers, parents and school children turned up for the awards night in the Westenra Hotel, Monaghan last Wednesday where winners from each school were presented with their certificates and prizes. MC for the night, Mental Health Ireland Development Officer, Sean Mc Kiernan, introduced MMHA Chairperson Margaret Fleming and Secretary Emer Brennan who welcomed everyone to the event stressing that among the Associations aims was getting out a positive mental health message to all groups and all ages.
Emer explained that MMHA hoped to put the artwork on display in the town shortly and added that the work would also be displayed on the soon to be launched MMHA web site. She said that local mental health groups were about getting out the message about mental health issues at local level. She added that local primary and post primary schools had an important role to play in developing positive attitudes to mental health and she thanked them for their support in that regard. She explained that Monaghan Mental Health Association is a local voluntary organisation with volunteers from all sections of Monaghan life. Its aims are to promote Positive Mental Health and to support those with mental health difficulties
The awards on the night were presented by MMHA members Emer Brennan, Esther Mc Manus, Rita O Reilly and Caroline Waters. After the awards were distributed, Chairperson Margaret Fleming interviewed the winners as she took a tour around the display of magnificent artwork. Each of the artists did themselves proud as they explained how they had come up with the idea for their individual piece.
Beechill’s Daniel Murray spoke of the importance of positivity and the need for communication through different stages of our lives. Cillian Connolly (Castleblayney College) described how he used many different words all linked to the theme of communication. Lauren Nolan representing the Collegiate used colour to portray freedom, peace and creativity. Sarah Mc Kernan, Colaiste Oiriall, spoke of learning to accept compliments and the different ways in which people can feel under pressure. Amy Mc Mahon’s (Largy College) entry was about being positive and letting your feelings out by communicating with those close to you. Lauren Kirk and Tara Hoey from Inver College spoke about how it is harder for young people to be heard because adults sometimes have problems of their own and don’t listen.
Sean Mc Kernan saluted the members of the MMHA for their consistent hard work, all of which, he stressed, was done in a voluntary capacity.
Monaghan Mental Health Association is very appreciative of the effort put in by all the schools involved in the competition this year, especially the principals and teachers who encouraged their pupils to take part.
Award Winners were:
Beechill College: Daniel Murray
Castleblayney College: Cillian Connolly
Collegiate College: Lauren Nolan
Colaiste Oiriall: Sarah Nic Tighearginn
St Louis Convent: Nicola O Reilly
Largy College: Amy Mc Mahon
Inver College: Lauren Kirk and Tara Hoey