April 2024

April 2024 has been an exciting and transformative month for our mental health first aid programme. We are thrilled to announce that Cohort 2 has officially begun delivering their courses, joining our first cohort of facilitators. This collaboration has resulted in a remarkable total of 14 courses taking place throughout the month.

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of both cohorts, we are proud to report that an additional 244 personnel have completed the mental health first aid programme this April. This achievement brings our new total to an impressive 604 certified mental health first aiders within the Garda community.

The expansion of our facilitator teams and the increase in courses offered demonstrate our ongoing commitment to mental health awareness and support. With each new participant trained, we are collectively enhancing our ability to provide vital assistance to our colleagues, promoting a culture of care and understanding throughout our organisation.

As we celebrate this significant growth, we are also excited about the future. The newly certified mental health first aiders will play a crucial role in fostering open conversations about mental health and offering immediate support to anyone in need. Their contributions will undoubtedly make a positive impact on our workplace culture.

At the Garda National Wellbeing Office, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the participants and facilitators for their continued dedication to this important initiative. Your efforts are helping to create a supportive environment where mental health is prioritised.

We look forward to the ongoing success of our programme and the positive change it brings to the lives of our personnel and the communities we serve.