Mental health promotion staged in Mayo town centre

Hello, How Are You? is a simple yet effective mental health promotion campaign developed by Mental Health Ireland, that encourages people to say ‘Hello’ and ask ‘How, Are You?’

A promotion of the campaign has taken place at Market Square in Castlebar with the enthusiastic support of the community.

The concept of the Hello, How are you? Campaign is to ask with meaning, and to really listen to the person’s response.

The campaign breaks down the steps: HE.L.L.O.(H: Hello E: Engage L: Listen L: Learn and O: Options) which supports people to reach out, say hello and ask how are you?

Mental Health Ireland has co-produced a suite of resources to provide people with the tools and confidence to genuinely ask Hello, How Are You? and really listen to the response, as well as how to support and signpost someone to appropriate services or agencies if needed.

This grass-roots campaign was started by Carlow Mental Health Association in 2015.

It was then developed by Mayo who were so passionate they invited Carlow MHA to co-produce a business proposal for the campaign to go national.

This was submitted by the group and accepted by the MHI board. As a result, we have the HHRU campaign.

The campaign is now engaging communities, workplaces, schools, and colleges around Ireland.

In light of the recent survey conducted by Healthy Ireland, which shows 81% of recipients showed lower levels of social connectedness in recent times, this campaign to start conversations, encouraging greater social connection could not be more timely.

It is also proven that people are six times more likely to reach out to someone who might be experiencing a personal difficulty, compared to those who have not engaged in a similar campaign.