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Professionals dedicated to supporting young people across Northern Ireland and the Republic's border counties are being offered a rare opportunity to gather, learn and collaborate at a significant autumn conference focused on teenage mental health and resilience.
Co-operation Ireland is hosting 'Better Together: Supporting OUR Generation' at the Monaghan Peace Campus next Thursday, 16 October 2025. The free one-day event promises to tackle the pressing challenges confronting today's teenagers, bringing together youth practitioners from both sides of the border to share expertise and develop new approaches to supporting young people navigating an increasingly complex world.
Organised by members of the OUR Generation Project, which receives funding through PEACEPLUS – a programme administered by the Special EU Programmes Body – the conference represents a collaborative effort to strengthen cross-border youth work and mental health support systems.
The event boasts an impressive roster of speakers who are leading voices in youth psychology and wellbeing. Shane Martin, a psychologist who founded Moodwatchers and has authored bestselling books on mental health, will share his insights alongside Richard Hogan, a prominent family psychotherapist whose book 'Parenting the Screenager' addresses modern parenting challenges. Hogan is also recognised for his regular contributions to RTÉ's Raised by the Village. Completing the speaker line-up is Owen O'Kane, regarded as one of the UK's foremost psychotherapists and the Sunday Times bestselling author behind 'Ten to Zen' and 'Addicted to Anxiety'.
The speakers will examine critical issues affecting young people today, delving into themes including resilience-building, managing anxiety and understanding technology's impact on teenage development and mental health.
Beyond the main presentations, attendees can participate in hands-on workshops covering diverse and timely subjects. Sessions will explore trauma-informed practice, creative mindfulness techniques for emotional regulation, strategies for responding to racism and fostering cross-cultural understanding, and innovative ways to harness sport as a vehicle for promoting mental wellbeing among young people.
The conference welcomes anyone whose work touches the lives of children and teenagers, including youth workers, teachers, volunteers and mental health professionals. Organisers will provide lunch and refreshments throughout the day, with only a few tickets remaining available at www.eventbrite.co.uk
The Speakers
Shane Martin C.Psychol.Ps.S.I
Shane Martin is a psychologist whose work blends scientific insight with a human touch. Known for his engaging and often humorous presentation style, he makes psychology accessible and practical for everyday life. Drawing on research in positive psychology, his talks are uplifting, relatable, and rooted in real-life stories, leaving people not only informed but also inspired to make positive changes. He has spoken at national and international conferences on topics like happiness, purpose, and resilience. He has also adapted his material for theatres with his unique blend of accessible psychology and poetry—selling out shows up and down the country. His best-selling psychology book entitled ‘Your Precious Life - How to Live it Well’ will be followed soon by a new book on resilience.
Further information please visit: moodwatchers.com
Owen O'Kane
Owen O’Kane is a leading UK psychotherapist and Sunday Times bestselling author, recognised for translating psychological science into practical strategies that reach millions. With over 25 years’ experience, he has held senior NHS leadership roles—including Clinical Lead for West London Mental Health NHS Trust—and is a qualified cognitive psychologist and mindfulness teacher with credentials from Queen’s University and Oxford. Owen’s books, including Ten to Zen and Addicted to Anxiety, have become bestsellers, earning critical acclaim for their innovative approaches to mental health. He is a trusted advisor to global brands like Virgin Atlantic and Vodafone, a sought-after keynote speaker, and a featured therapist on the BBC’s Change Your Mind, Change Your Life. Endorsed by public figures such as Davina McCall, Lewis Capaldi, and Benedict Cumberbatch, Owen O’Kane is a driving force in making psychological wellbeing accessible and actionable.
Richard Hogan
Richard Hogan is a systemically trained Family Psychotherapist registered with The Family Therapy Association of Ireland. He writes every Thursday for the Irish Examiner. His column ‘Learning Points’ explores his progressive approaches to mental health promotion. He is the author of the best-selling book ‘Parenting the Screenager’. This book is a practical and accessible guide for parents of the modern child. The book received critical acclaim from The Irish Times as a ‘must buy for any parent of a teenager’. His recent publication, ‘Home is where the Start is’ was a national bestseller and shortlisted for an Irish book award.
He is the clinical director of the award-winning psychotherapy and counselling service Therapy Institute. Trinity College Dublin invited Richard, in 2017, to undertake a PhD with the university to explore how his paper, ‘systemic practices in education’ could be introduced into the Irish educational system. Richard was awarded a Fulbright scholarship for his work in 2020 and travelled to America in 2021 to carry out research in a leading American University on how to better promote inclusion in Irish and American Schools. Richard is the leading contributor on RTÉ ‘Raised by the village’.
Richard is also an expert contributor on Virgin media’s most successful launch of an original programme, ‘Eating With The Enemy’ and RTÉ’s ‘Raised by the Village’. He is also a regular contributor on shows such as, Drivetime RTÉ Radio 1, The Hard Shoulder Newstalk, The Today Show RTÉ, Ireland AM Virgin Media, The Tonight Show with Claire Brock, and he is a regular contributor on The Brendan O’ Connor show where he offers his expertise and progressive strategies for better mental health promotion.
The OUR Generation initiative represents a substantial cross-border partnership coordinated by Action Mental Health, working alongside Donegal Youth Service, Co-operation Ireland, Youth Action NI, Youth Work Ireland, Playboard NI, Boys & Girls Clubs NI, Include Youth and Ulster University. The project continues its work until December 2027, with further details available at www.ourgeneration-cyp.com
