Dundalk IT annual Health Week held

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently hosted its annual Health Week.

DkIT staff and students, along with a wide range of health professionals from across the country, 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 also took place at the health fair which takes place on the 15^th April.

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 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.

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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.”

The Health Fair was organised by the Health Unit in collaboration with Student Services, DkIT’s Healthy Campus group and the Students' Union.