A positive message of support at this year’s Teen Talk event

Guest speaker at the 2023 Teen Talk event, Sheila Naughton, with St Mary's Secondary School, Midleton students, Aisling Carroll and Sara McSweeney. the Radisson Hotel, Little Island will play host again in 2024 to the yearly initiative by Cork County Council, promoting resilience, growing awareness and the importance of positive mental health in teenagers. (Pic: Brian Lougheed)

On Tuesday, 19th November, teenagers from across Cork county will participate in this year’s Teen Talk event, which focuses on promoting positive mental health. The event, hosted by Cork County Council will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Little Island, Cork.

With 500 students set to attend in person and more than 33 schools joining via live stream, the event is expected to reach an audience of over 3,500 Transition Year students.

Now in its seventh year, Teen Talk, a national award-winning event, provides a platform for students to engage with important topics such as resilience, mental health awareness, and maintaining a positive mindset. Through the insightful presentations by expert speakers, the event aims to equip young people with the tools they need to face everyday challenges with confidence.

The event will feature inspiring speakers, including Marie Crowe (MC), RTE sports journalist and Phil Healy, Olympic athlete.

POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, said the event allows students to “gain new insights”.

“Cork County Council is proud to facilitate events like Teen Talk, which offer crucial support to young people across our communities. Teen Talk is about engaging with teenagers and acknowledging the challenges they face, especially in today’s world. Our aim is to offer reassurance and diverse perspectives, allowing students to gain new insights and leave with renewed optimism and motivation. We are always delighted to hear the positive feedback on how the event has benefited attendees.”

This initiative is part of Cork County Council’s commitment to supporting positive mental health and overall health and wellbeing throughout the county. By bringing together public and private partners, the Council aims to foster community development through greater integration of services and resources, helping to build a brighter future for young people across Cork.