Change Your Mind Festival 2025 Draws Record Crowds and Inspires Conversations Across Sligo

The Change Your Mind Mental Health Festival 2025, which took place yesterday (5th October 2025) at the Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo, drew record attendance and praise from speakers and visitors. From morning until evening, the theatre buzzed with conversation, laughter, learning, and creativity as hundreds gathered to explore wellbeing, resilience, and connection in a warm, open atmosphere.

A broad range of events at the festival involved staff from the Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services and other mental health professionals, in partnership and collaboration with special guests from the community and voluntary sector, artists and mental health advocates.

Events included a “Q&A Session and discussion of the Mental Health Bill 2024”, led by Dr Lorcan Martin, President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, and Dr Joanne Fegan, the College’s Director of Communications and Public Education, moderated by Professor Geraldine McCarthy.

Psychotherapist and author Daniella Moyles captivated the crowd with her talk The Power of Self-Care. The Experts by Experience panel that followed was deeply moving, featuring powerful first-hand stories from individuals who have navigated their own mental health journeys. The Experts by Profession discussion with Dr Donagh O’Neill, Dr Vidis Corro, and Dr Ignazio Graffeo, where audience participation turned the session into an engaging and animated conversation about the realities and future of Ireland’s mental health system.

In the afternoon, actor and writer Shane Casey, best known for his role as Billy Murphy in The Young Offenders, delivered one of the day’s standout moments with his talk Tools for Resilience. Combining humour, honesty, and reflection, Casey left the crowd both laughing and inspired, embodying the festival’s spirit of connection through storytelling.

The day closed with Dr Harry Barry, GP and bestselling author, whose session Recognising the Differences Between Depression and Anxiety drew a full house. His clear and compassionate explanations offered practical tools for understanding emotions and building emotional resilience, marking a thoughtful and empowering end to the festival’s main stage programme.

Meanwhile, the Workshops Room was full to capacity from start to finish. Participants explored mindfulness, self-care, and movement in sessions led by Jared Gottlieb, Dr Paula Martin, and the Solace Café team, while Aoife Hughes guided attendees through The Procrastination Station, a neuro-affirming exploration of motivation and focus. Musician Lisa Cannon led both an Introduction to Ukulele for beginners and a Children’s Sing-Along, while Jacinta Sexton and Mark Hannon rounded off the day with energising, creative sessions on song therapy and movement.

The theatre foyer was alive all day with family fun, laughter, and colour. ClaraBear’s “Bee Kind to Your Mind” art workshops were a hit with children, and Jay Ryan’s Living with a Fairy brought magic and music to young audiences. Sligo Woodland School encouraged families to reconnect with nature through hands-on play, while magician Graham Hewston and his balloon creations delighted crowds throughout the afternoon. Adding flavour to the festivities, Sligo Global Kitchen served delicious dishes from around the world, sharing culture and conversation through food.

Broadcasting live from the theatre, Ocean FM and presenter Marian Fitzgerald captured the festival’s buzz between 11am and 2pm, interviewing speakers, visitors, and volunteers, and bringing the excitement to listeners across the northwest.

Reflecting on the day, Dr Ignazio Graffeo, Consultant Psychiatrist and Founder of the Change Your Mind Festival, said the response had surpassed expectations said, “The engagement from the public, the full workshops, and the insightful questions from the audience all show how much people care about their mental health and about community. The festival has once again proven that open conversation, creativity, and learning can truly change how we think about wellbeing.”

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