Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I am very appreciative of all the discussions I have heard, both in the Chamber and in my room today.

There is a fantastic exchange of knowledge, diversity of debate and agreement on many subjects. I have edited out the bulk of my commentary rather than be repetitious. I will keep it with a community focus.

I welcome the annually increased and increasing budget funding and the improving fiscal and human resources to date. There is probably uniformity of agreement on much more needing to be done. With the community focus in mind, I am most grateful to the various community and voluntary groups in County Meath - the men's and women's sheds groups; the ICA groups; Foróige; SOSAD; the youth diversion projects, the age-friendly and the older person's councils - all of which foster that key ingredient of connection. I am very grateful to members of the emergency services, the healthcare professionals, Meath River Rescue and all of the people who work with people experiencing a crisis in their mental well-being and who try to bring them back to a path of recovery. Healthy Meath, this year, in line with the WHO's recommendation, has five ways to well-being: to connect; to be active; to keep learning; to give; and to take notice. Our purpose in these Houses is to enable all of these ways to well-being. We are human beings, after all, not human doings, and our purpose should be to try to enable and to reduce barriers and remove obstacles.

Under the theme of connection are meeting friends and family, attending leisure and sporting groups and building positive relationships. They are all very beneficial to our well-being. Affordable, accessible and efficient means of transport are also essential for enabling these connections. In future, we must critically evaluate the far-reaching impacts of public health policies on anxiety, isolation and depression, particularly from 2020 to 2022. It is fair to say those are ongoing. Various sociological and psychological evidence is showing deleterious and ongoing effects on anxiety, loneliness, our immune systems and ageing.

Under the "be active" heading are enjoying local walks, joining sports clubs and participating in outdoor activities. They all release our happy hormones, such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin. Planning and development must make adequate provision for these simple and necessary community infrastructure elements. Phase 2 of the land use review must be published as a matter of urgency to ensure the adequate provision of parks and open spaces and community buildings. They are so important in a rapidly developing county such as my own, County Meath.

The third theme of "keep learning" includes recommendations of access to education for all, exploring workshops, courses and lifelong learning. I am very grateful to the library services in Meath, such as those in Ashbourne, Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin, which continuously offer all of these courses and more, especially in building and being points of valued connection to our older people.

The theme of giving includes volunteering or getting involved in local groups that make a difference. Again, our gratitude is frequently expressed in this House to Tidy Towns volunteers and to local heroes enhancing the built environment, fostering pride and a sense of place, and enabling us to take note of our surroundings.

The fifth theme of tomorrow's World Mental Health Day is taking notice. We are encouraged to enjoy nature, practise mindfulness and have moments of gratitude close to home. I pay particular tribute to the increasing number of teachers, early years educators and community practitioners who support individuals, classes and groups in experiencing mindfulness practice. I will give a shoutout to a local person, Ms Una Curran, who is running a mindfulness and well-being course in support of Ratoath Men's Shed this evening.

Our most basic purpose is to treat others the way we would like to be treated. This takes daily effort. Our purpose here is to enable all of these ways to well-being.

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