HSE Ascain ‘Walk in My Shoes’ brings real voices and mental health awareness to the heart of Letterkenny

To mark World Mental Health Day, HSE Ascain Training and Support Service hosted a ‘Walk in My Shoes’ event at The Vestry, St Conal’s, Letterkenny, on 09 October 2026. Transition Year (TY) students from Coláiste Ailigh and Errigal College took part in what proved to be a very successful and engaging morning which celebrated the importance of mental health awareness, encouraged open conversations and highlighted the supports available to people experiencing mental health challenges.

HSE Ascain Training and Support Service provides person-centred training programmes and one-to-one support for people recovering from mental ill health at its centres in Letterkenny, Dungloe and Carndonagh.

The service aims to help participants develop greater self-awareness, explore their aspirations and identify what they want to achieve in life. It supports people to find their voice, make informed choices and decisions, and set and achieve their own personal goals.

The purpose of the ‘Walk in My Shoes’ event was to highlight that everyone’s mental health journey is unique and to showcase the supports and services available to young people and adults. Participants were invited to design a pair of shoes representing their understanding of mental health, creating an opportunity for personal expression, reflection and conversation.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2026 was “Lived Experiences Heard, Real Voices, Real Change.” In keeping with this theme, recordings of people sharing their lived experiences were played throughout the event, highlighting the importance of listening to real voices and recognising how these experiences can help shape and improve support services.

Speaking about the event, Gemma McLoone, Manager, HSE Ascain Training and Support Service, said, “‘Walk in My Shoes’ was about creating an opportunity for people to come together, listen to one another and recognise that no two mental health journeys are the same. By encouraging young people to explore their understanding of mental health and hear directly from people with lived experience, we hoped to promote greater empathy, understanding and awareness of the supports available.

“Events like this remind us of the importance of creating spaces where people feel comfortable speaking openly about mental health, knowing that their experiences will be heard and valued. When we listen to real voices, we can challenge stigma, build understanding and help create more compassionate and supportive communities.

“A range of organisations attended the event to showcase the supports they provide and demonstrate how services have developed over the years to better meet the needs of individuals and communities. We are extremely grateful to all the organisations that took part and helped make the morning such a success, including HSE SCAN and SCANU, HSE Connect for Life, HSE Willows Rehab and Recovery Team, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and its support services, Donegal Youth Information Services, Jigsaw, Employability, Wellness Café and MABS. Their willingness to share their knowledge, experience and services helped demonstrate the breadth of support available across our communities.”

The event concluded on a particularly uplifting note as students, service representatives and attendees came together to sing Lean on Me. The song provided a fitting end to an event built around connection, compassion and the simple but powerful message that no one should have to face life’s challenges alone.

From creative expression and personal stories to conversations with local support organisations, ‘Walk in My Shoes’ offered a timely reminder that listening matters, understanding makes a difference and small moments of connection can have a lasting impact.