Health, safety and support take centre stage at DkIT Health Week
- Wide range of health organisations provide advice, support and resources at DkIT Health Week
- Chris Connolly of “Get Better with Chris” gave an inspiring talk on overcoming addiction and personal growth
DkIT staff and students, along with a wide range of health professionals from across the country, recently came together on campus for the annual Health Week.
Throughout the week, a variety of talks, activities and exhibitions focused on health and wellbeing were held. These included free health checks and opportunities to engage directly with health professionals, who were available to offer expert advice, information and resources across areas such as mental health and wellbeing, physical activity and nutrition, sexual health and substance use.
Among the organisations represented were the Marie Keating Foundation, Healthy Louth, Quit.ie, Dundalk Outcomers, the Red door project, S.A.F.E. Castlebellingham, Turas, Education RSA, the HSE Sexual Wellbeing Team and HIV Ireland. The HIV mobile unit was also on campus, providing students with accessible testing and information.
Sign ups for the DkIT Dundalk 10km race were also in full swing at the health fair, with registrations for the race on the 15th April filling up fast.
Students also had the opportunity to engage with the RSA Interactive Roadshow shuttle, where they experienced virtual reality simulations highlighting the dangers of the roads. These included drink-driving consequences, phone distraction scenarios, braking reaction timers and hazard perception tests.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána then hosted an interactive road safety talk and demonstration known as The Lifesaver Project, a realistic road safety presentation highlighting the devastating effects that road traffic collisions have on people’s lives. The elements of interactive engagement really helped to impact those in attendance.
On Thursday afternoon, the Whitaker Theatre was filled to capacity for a talk by TikTok and Instagram sensation Get Better With Chris.
Chris Connolly, a recovering addict and alcoholic, spoke openly to staff and students about his struggles with addiction and mental health, and the crucial role that treatment, support and exercise have played in turning his life around.
Addressing the audience, Chris emphasised the importance of asking for help when it’s needed and of reframing obstacles and challenges as opportunities for growth.
“I realised what I was doing wasn’t about anyone else — it was about doing things for me,” he said.
Reflecting on how far he has come, including running the length of Ireland and completing an impressive 154 Runs with Chris — a series in which he speaks openly with celebrities and influencers about their mental health — Chris added:
“Everything I used to see in my mind, I now hold in my hand.”
Patricia Smyth from the Student Health Unit at DkIT said:
“This year’s Health Fair was a fantastic success and a real team effort between Student Services, DkIT’s Healthy Campus, the Students’ Union, our students, and the many external organisations who generously shared their expertise. A standout moment was Chris Connolly’s powerful and honest talk on substance abuse and mental health, which resonated strongly with a full audience of young people. If even one student takes something away that helps them in their life going forward, then hosting this event on campus has been truly worthwhile. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it such a meaningful and memorable event.”
The Health Fair was organised by the Health Unit in collaboration with Student Services, DkIT’s Healthy Campus group and the Students' Union.
