The importance of wellbeing resources as Gaeilge (in Irish) for young people

As we celebrate the Irish language and culture this Seachtain na Gaeilge, Ciara Ní Bhroin from Gaeloideachas highlights the importance of inclusive wellbeing resources to ensure supports feel relevant and empowering.

Supporting inclusive learning

As we learn more about wellbeing and positive mental health, one thing is clear - language matters and helps shape our experience. For young people in Ireland, access to wellbeing resources as Gaeilge is not simply a cultural extra - it’s essential to support that feels inclusive, relevant and respectful. For many children and young people - especially those in Irish-medium schools and in Gaeltacht communities, Irish is the language of everyday life, family, friendship and belonging. Having wellbeing resources and supports available as Gaeilge sends a powerful message that emotional wellbeing is for everyone, in every language they speak.

Normalising meaningful conversations

Language shapes how we understand and express our emotions, describe our experiences, ask for help and support one another. For young people being raised or educated through Irish, it’s especially important that they have the language and confidence to talk about mental health as Gaeilge – it is about normalising meaningful conversations about mental health in Irish. Visibility also matters. Seeing wellbeing messages and other mental health supports in your own language can be reassuring and empowering. It signals that your identity is recognised and valued. Having these as Gaeilge sends a clear and important message about their importance. Inclusive language choices demonstrate respect and inclusion.

Reinforcing our connection with the Irish language

Occasions such as Seachtain na Gaeilge provide particularly meaningful opportunities to reinforce this connection. As communities celebrate Irish language and culture, integrating themes of emotional wellbeing, resilience and self-care as Gaeilge reinforces Irish as a living, vibrant language – one that can be used to explore every aspect of life, including wellbeing and mental health. Gaeloideachas welcomes the continued development of resources as Gaeilge as part of Walk in My Shoes’ work around promoting positive mental health. We hope that they will inspire important conversations around mental health and wellbeing in schools and communities across the country – conversations that help young people look after themselves and support one another.

An tábhacht a bhaineann le hacmhainní folláine as Gaeilge do dhaoine óga

Mar chuid de Sheachtain na Gaeilge agus ceiliúradh speisialta ar chúrsaí teanga agus cultúir faoi lán seoil againn, leagann Ciara Ní Bhroin, ó fhoireann Gaeloideachas, béim ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le hacmhainní folláine ionchuimsitheacha chun tacaíocht fhiúntach chumhasaithe a chur ar fáil.

Ag tacú le foghlaim ionchuimsitheach

Mar a mhéadaíonn ár dtuiscint ar fholláine agus sláinte mheabhrach dhearfach, tá rud amháin an-soiléir – tá tábhacht ag baint leis an teanga agus cabhraíonn sé linn eispéiris a mhúnlú. Is í an Ghaeilge teanga an ghnáthshaoil ag go leor gasúr agus daoine óga – go háirithe iad siúd atá ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge nó ina gcónaí i bpobail Ghaeltachta. Is í teanga a muintire í, teanga an chairdis agus an dlúthchaidrimh. Nuair a chuirtear acmhainní agus tacaíochtaí folláine ar fáil as Gaeilge, scaiptear teachtaireacht láidir chumhachtach i measc an phobail go mbaineann an fholláine mhothúchánach le gach duine agus le gach teanga.

Comhráití tábhachtacha a normalú

Múnlaíonn an teanga an bealach a dtuigeann muid ár gcuid mothúchán agus a gcuireann muid iad in iúl iad. Múnlaíonn sí conas a dhéanann muid cur síos ar eispéiris, a lorgaíonn muid cúnamh, agus conas a thacaíonn muid lena chéile. Do dhaoine óga atá á dtógáil le Gaeilge nó ag fáil a gcuid oideachais trí Ghaeilge, tá sé ríthábhachtach go bhfuil an teanga agus an mhuinín acu labhairt faoi shláinte mheabhrach as Gaeilge. Tá tábhacht mhór leis seo chun comhráití tábhachtacha faoi mheabhairshláinte a normalú as Gaeilge. Tá tábhacht ag baint le feiceálacht chomh maith. Nuair a scaiptear teachtaireachtaí folláine agus tacaíochtaí meabhairshláinte eile i do theanga féin, is féidir leo tú a chur ar do shuaimhneas agus tú a neartú. Cuireann sé in iúl go n-aithnítear thú agus d'fhéiniúlacht agus go bhfuil meas ort. Nuair a chuirtear tacaíochtaí mar seo ar fáil i nGaeilge, cuireann sé teachtaireacht shoiléir thábhachtach in iúl faoin tábhacht a bhaineann leo. Nuair a roghnaítear teanga ionchuimsitheach, léiríonn sé meas agus cuimsiú.

Ár nasc leis an nGaeilge a threisiú

Cuireann ócáidí cosúil le Seachtain na Gaeilge deiseanna fiúntacha ar fáil leis an nasc seo a atreisiú. Agus teanga agus cultúr na Gaeilge á gceiliúradh ag pobail timpeall na tíre, tá deis bhreise ann dúinn díriú ar théamaí ar nós folláine mhothúchánach, teacht aniar agus féinchúram as Gaeilge agus iad a shní isteach in imeachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí na féile. Leagann sé seo béim arís ar an nGaeilge mar theanga bheo bhríomhar, teanga ar féidir a úsáid le gach uile ghné den saol a chíoradh, folláine agus meabhairshláinte ina measc. Cuireann Gaeloideachas an-fháilte roimh fhorbairt leanúnach na n-acmhainní Gaeilge seo mar chuid d’obair Walk in My Shoes ag cur meabhairshláinte dhearfach chun cinn. Tá súil againn go spreagfar comhráití tábhachtacha faoi mheabhairshláinte agus folláine i scoileanna agus i bpobail timpeall na tíre – comhráití a chabhróidh le daoine óga aire a thabhairt dóibh féin agus dá chéile.