PROMOTING SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS

We are a project within the Family Resource Centres National Forum.  The FRC National Forum represents 121 Family Resource Centres around the country and has worked consistently over the last 25 years to promote and support the needs of Families and Communities in the most disadvantaged areas of our country.

 

Our project strives to utilise the strengths and resilience of communities to create awareness, educate, break down barriers, and offer solutions to the complex issue of mental health.

 

What we do: 

 

Suicide Prevention:

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• Our project collaborates with HSE Suicide Prevention Resource Officers nationally to support the implementation of Connecting for Life - Ireland's national strategy to reduce suicide 2015-2020 (extended 2024).  We support suicide prevention through the provision of free education, training, and best practice guidance around suicide prevention. We also offer wellness recovery action planning and self-care training to the management, staff, and volunteers of 121 Family Resource Centres across Ireland.   

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Building Connections: 

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• We build relationships and work with other suicide prevention and mental health organisations to co-host information-sharing network events for Family Resource Centres and community organisations around suicide prevention and health and wellbeing.  These events help to build a mental health support network for FRC by signposting resources and support services and developing connections at a local level. 

  

Social Prescribing:

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• We are the lead and support organisation for 10 Health and Wellbeing Community Referral sites in Cork and Kerry.  The HSE funds this community-based Health and Wellbeing Community Referral Program through the Cork/Kerry HSE Health & Wellbeing.  This project is a tremendous success due to the dedication of our Link Workers and the National FRC Mental Health Promotion Project's administrative effectiveness.

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Problem Gambling Support:

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• The FRC National Forum is the lead and support organisation for the FRC Problem Gambling Support Service.  This professional, confidential counselling service is available to anyone experiencing harmful gambling, their families or friends, and is funded by The Gambling Awareness Trust.  

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Promotion:

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• As a mental health promotion organisation, we support and promote other mental health not-for-profit organisations and governmental agencies across Ireland that provide free mental health and wellbeing services, resources, training and awareness campaigns to the public.