FEBRUARY 2008

GROW Pilot project planned for Inishowen

Mental Health support organisation GROW will host a public information night in Buncrana next month with a view to setting up the first GROW Youth Group in Donegal, to help young people struggling with issues such as drugs, depression and suicidal thoughts. GROW field worker Mary McCann said if enough interest is expressed the group would be modelled on one based in Galway.

"The aim of a GROW youth group is to let young people in the 16 to 30 age group know there is help at hand and they don't have to be alone", said Mary. "The target age group is one that can be hard to reach. As children they can be kept interested in sport and other activities but there comes a time during adolescence when they start to lose interest in things They might have a tendency to say "I'm okay, I don't have a problem". But according to the statistics, one in four people will experience mental health problems in their lives while one in five will be hospitalised because of that problem".

Mary said young people in the target age category are also facing a difficult stage such as studying for a college place, finding a flat in a city they don't know and then trying to live on a grant. "This is a time when they might also feel pressure to drink too much or take drugs or they might get into bad company,"

Galway based Paul Clabby, GROW Youth Group organiser, will be the Guest speaker. The meeting is open to everyone including young people, parents, youth leaders and teachers. It takes place in Buncrana Youth Club on Thursday 7th February at 7.30pm. For more information contact Marcella in confidence on 93 61594 or Mary McCann on 087 233097. Visit www.grow.ie

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