A campaign to promote open discussion about mental health is to begin next month.
Throughout May, hundreds of local and national events will be organised by See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership, as part of the Green Ribbon national calendar of activities.
The movement is being led by 90 partner organisations, hundreds of volunteers and 50 “campaign ambassadors” with real-life experience of mental health problems, ready to share their own stories to help others and end stigma.
According to the World Health Organisation 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem.
John Saunders, director of See Change, said: "You don't have to be an expert to start talking about mental health, and wearing the Green Ribbon is a simple way of standing up to the silence that breeds stigma.
“It is inspiring to see more than 50 ambassadors coming forward to openly talk about their own experiences of mental health problems to show than anyone can go through a tough time and recovery is possible.”
Hundreds of thousands of the green ribbons will be distributed free of charge and nationwide at Irish Rail stations, Citizens Information centres and MABS offices during the month. For more information see greenribbon.ie