CORK Kerry Community Healthcare Mental Health Services have opened a new mental health assessment room within the emergency department of University Hospital Kerry.
The assessment room will be a confidential and therapeutic setting for anyone presenting to UHK in a mental health crisis. The room is a joint initiative between CKCH Mental Health Services and healthcare professionals from UHK.
It aims to create a separate, calm space which will be used by Clinical Nurse Specialists in Self Harm who already provide a seven-day service (from 8am to 8am), offering a rapid response to people presenting to Emergency Departments with self-harm and suicidal ideation.
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The room will also be used by the psychiatric doctor on call to assess patients presenting to ED with a mental health emergency.
Twenty-four hour mental health assessment is provided by consultant psychiatrists and non consultant hospital doctors within the department.
Dr Maura Young Executive Clinical Director Kerry Mental Health Service said: “I am delighted that people presenting to University Hospital Kerry in a mental health crisis can now meet with mental health professionals in a confidential and therapeutic setting. It is my hope that the new mental health assessment room will improve the experience and will benefit all those who access the service in the Emergency Department in University Hospital Kerry.”
SINN Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly is calling for a multi-agency mental health crisis de-escalation team, piloted in Limerick, to also be created Kerry.
The Tralee native has expressed concerned at the lack of 24-hour emergency access to mental health supports in the county.
“Only 6% of the overall health budget is allocated to mental health which is unacceptable,” said Deputy Daly.
“Sinn Féin brought forward a motion earlier this year which passed unopposed in Dáil Éireann, and 24/7 access to mental health supports was a core component of the motion.
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“Limerick has agreed to pilot a multi-agency mental health crisis de-escalation team. Unfortunately this pilot is not scheduled to start until 2022. This multi-agency team will involve mental health professionals and specially trained members of an Garda Síochána.
“The idea of the pilot is that if there is a person experiencing a mental health issue in the community, then a specially trained team will meet the person, triage them, treat them and refer or bring them to the appropriate service.
“I am calling for a similar pilot to run in Kerry, as the county is severely lacking in mental health supports, in particular 24/7 crisis supports.
“I am hearing from far too many people who are in crisis and cannot find supports in their home county or sometimes in the country at all, and they must travel overseas for care. The appropriate mental health supports must be available within the community,” concluded Deputy Daly.
.Suzanne Downing of Let’s Get Talking with Mayor of Kerry Patrick Connor Scarteen.
MENTAL health charity, Let’s Get Talking Counselling and Psychotherapy, has opened a new outreach to support the demand for access to mental health services in Kerry.
First opening in Galway 2012, Let’s Get Talking aim to provide access to high quality mental health services to the community on a non-set fee policy.
The non-set fee model positions the organisation to straddle public provision and private enterprise in a way that makes service delivery more affordable to the public and less of a strain on public resources.
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Speaking about the charity CEO Cyril Hyland said: “Our mandate, as per our established charter, is informed by one important ethic –equity. Each client of our service is treated according to their needs and not what they can afford to pay. As a community counselling and psychotherapy non- profit partnership, we provide professional counselling and psychotherapy support to all based on their needs.”
With a focus on early intervention Let’s Get Talking support adults and children (over 10 years of age) in relation to a wide range of issues ranging from depression, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, addiction, trauma, bullying, eating disorders, parenting issues, and family breakdown support.
Let’s Get Talking’s Kerry outreach will be led by local counsellor Suzanne Downing. From Tralee, Suzanne’s experience working with clients covers a range of issues such as anxiety, abuse, anger, low self-esteem, loss and trauma.
She holds a IACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling, along with a B.Sc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Welcoming the service to the community, Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Patrick Connor- Scarteen said; “Well done to all involved in Let’s Get Talking, their service is needed now more than ever. Its essential people look after their mental health for their overall wellbeing and to have such excellent Counselling and Psychotherapy services available in Kerry is vital. The fact that such a non-profit organisation operates on a non-set fee policy ensures greater accessibility which is very much welcomed. I wish to thank Suzanne Downing and all involved in Kerry for the excellent mental health work they do in our community”.
Clients can contact the service without a referral and there is no limit to the number of sessions provide to clients.
To book an appointment with Let’s Get Talking call the appointment line on 1890 714 001 or visit www.letsgettalking.ie , or for all other enquires email CEO Cyril Hyland on chyland@letsgettalking.ie
A CEREMONY took place on Friday to mark the official opening of the refurbished Sliabh Mis mental health admission unit (also known as an approved centre) in the University Hospital Kerry.
Minister for Mental Health Jim Daly officially opened the 34-bed unit. Since 2015, Sliabh Mis has undergone a significant phased programme of refurbishment, which has brought about a significant upgrade in accommodation for people in Kerry needing admission to an approved centre.
The €3.7 million programme included upgrading the existing accommodation for inpatients at the Reask and Brandon wards and developing a four-bed high observation unit, called the Brandon Unit.
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The four-bed Brandon Unit was completed as part of phase 1 of the refurbishment. It has been in use since April of last year, following the recruitment of an additional 13 nursing staff.
Head of Mental Health Services with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Sinead Glennon, said: “The newly refurbished unit represents a significant upgrade in accommodation for service users requiring acute inpatient stay, and will enable the service to meet regulatory compliance in relation to premises. The clinically informed, patient centred design of the unit is intended to reinforce treatment goals and the positive expectations of staff and service users.”
Dr Darra Phelan, Executive Clinical Director with Kerry Mental Health services said: “The unit’s mission is to seek to obtain the optimum level of mental health wellbeing and quality of life for each individual person it serves through the provisions of a high quality, responsive and person centred care. Staff working in the unit work very hard to provide a high level of care and to meet regulatory standards, and the newly-refurbished unit gives us the best possible environment to help us deliver that mission.”
.Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Niall Kelleher, launched Kerry’s second Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest at Killarney House on Monday. Included at the launch were, Rayla Tadjimatova, left Mary Doherty, back row, from left, Pat O’Brien, Kerry Mental Health Association, Lorraine Bowler, Community Development Worker NEWKD, Donagh Hennebry, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, Cork-Kerry Community Healthcare with the HSE, Deirdre Hegarty, Health and Wellbeing Officer, Kerry County Council, Mairead O’Sullivan, Education & Training Officer with SKDP. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
HUNDREDS of people participated in Kerry’s first ever Health and Wellbeing Week in 2018 and following its enormous success, an interagency committee which is supported by the HSE and Kerry County Council has organised an extended two-week long Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest this year.
Over 100 events are being arranged at locations across Kerry which focus on and promote the positive mental health and wellbeing of all citizens in the county.
Featuring workshops, seminars, coffee mornings, film screenings and a wide range of activities, the Fest will coincide with the annual World Mental Health Day and runs from 5th to 19th October at numerous locations across the county. Full details of all events will be published over the course of the coming weeks.
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Launching the event today, representatives of the HSE and Kerry County Council explained that the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest aims to promote a positive sense of wellbeing and will highlight mental health services and supports which are available to people in need in the county.
Everyone in the county is encouraged to take time out to learn, talk, reflect, and engage with others around the topic of mental health and wellbeing, and to encourage anyone with mental health issues to reach out and avail of supports and services available.
‘The programme of events has come together with the support of all the local statutory agencies working together with the very positive input of community and voluntary groups all over Kerry. Among the highlights of the Fest will be a showing of the film, My Other Life, a discussion on building resilience, workshops on workplace wellbeing, parkruns, mindfulness, meditation and awareness sessions and more’, said Donagh Hennebry, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, Cork-Kerry Community Healthcare with the HSE.
Central to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest will be a focus on the Five Ways to Wellbeing:
• Connect – with the people around you at home, work, school, and in your local community
• Take Notice – Savour the moment whether you are walking, eating, or talking. Be aware of the world around you and what you’re feeling
• Be Active – Step outside. Go for a walk, cycle, garden or dance. Discover a physical activity that suits your lifestyle
• Give – Do something nice for a friend or a stranger. Thank someone. Volunteer. Join a community group
• Keep Learning – Try something new, rediscover an old interest. Take on new responsibilities. Fix a bike. Learn how to cook your favourite meal.
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said the initiative will build on the positive feedback received for last year’s inaugural event.
“This is another very positive collaborative initiative between the HSE and Kerry County Council and will, I hope, encourage everyone in the county to take the opportunity to focus mental health and wellbeing. So many local community, voluntary and sporting groups have come on board to host over 100 events. There are events in all parts of the county, and I hope people will engage and get involved,” he said.
Full details of the programme of events will be made available in the coming weeks at public offices, local libraries, health centres and Family Resource Centres throughout the county as well as on the websites of the HSE and Kerry County Council and on www.healthykerry.ie
AWARE, Ireland’s national charity supporting people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and mood-related conditions, is to host a new positive mental health programme, free of charge, in Tralee starting next month.
Aware’s Life Skills Programme gets underway at the Rose Hotel, Tralee, on Monday September 9 at 7.30pm.
The programme takes place over a period of six weeks and is open to people aged 18 years and over. You can secure your place with a booking deposit of €30 (€10 for students, and those who are unemployed or over 65 years or who hold a medical card) – refundable at the end of the programme – by visiting www.aware.ie/education
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It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 people in Ireland who experience depression at any one time, while there are approximately 45,000 people diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Depression and bipolar disorder are mental health conditions that affect our thinking, energy, feelings and behaviour.
According to Bríd O’Meara, Aware’s Director of Services, the new programme is designed to help people better cope with the challenges in their lives: “The Life Skills Programme is designed to give people insights into how we think and how this can influence our actions in both helpful and unhelpful ways.
“Based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, each session is guided by our trained facilitator to help people better manage the stresses of everyday life, learning to spot unhelpful thoughts and discovering new and healthier ways of thinking. It is important to emphasise that confidentiality is the bedrock of the programme and nobody is asked to share personal information or experiences. The results speak for themselves with evaluations showing participants experiencing reduced levels of anxiety and improved mood on completion of the programme.”
If you are worried about depression or bipolar disorder, you can call the Aware Support Line on Freephone 1800 80 48 48 or email supportmail@aware.ie
.Students Caolan Ó Conaill, Barra Ó Siochrú and Career Guidance teacher Eibhlín Ní Mhuircheartaigh taking part in the Spinathon as part of Mental Health Week at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. Photo by Dermot Crean
GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí students were getting active on Friday at the end of a very busy ‘Wellbeing’ week in the school.
Around 90 students and teachers took part in a ‘Spinathon’ cycling non stop from 8.30am to 3.20pm as part of the ‘Active’ indicator for Wellbeing.
As well as the ‘Spinathon’ there was a host of other events going on all week as Career Guidance teacher, Eibhlín Ní Mhuircheartaigh explained.
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“We’ve had talks and workshops as part of being ‘Aware’ another indicator of ‘Wellbeing’. We had Jigsaw in, we had ‘Shout-Out’ an LGBT group came in to talk to 5th years, we had yoga for leaving certs and Zumba for 1st years, so we had events all week for all year groups.”
Students Kian Ó Riagain, Peadar Tóibín, and Lennox Beaujouan taking part in the Spinathon as part of Mental Health Week at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. Photo by Dermot Crean
Eibhlín, who organised the week’s events with the held of a group of students, said ‘It’s ok not to be ok’ is the main message of the week, which ties in with the Cycle Against Suicide ethos. The school was awarded the Cycle Against Suicide Ambassador award back in September.
A WELL-KNOWN local mental health campaigner is organising an event in Ballyseedy Woods next Sunday to in support of the Green Ribbon campaign.
Organised by Colin ‘Poshey’ Aherne, ‘Let’s Talk And Walk’ will take place at 3pm from the entrance to the woods (not far from Ballygarry House Hotel) and it’s an easy woodland walk, family friendly and suitable for all ages, including buggies and dogs.
“It’s a woodland walk in support of the green ribbon campaign, where we all talk and walk, where we will be changing minds about mental health one conversation at a time,” said Colin.
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“People can turn up at 3pm get a green ribbon and walk around Ballyseedy Wood which I’ll have sign posted. By holding this event we want people to know it’s ok to talk about your mental health and it’s ok to open up, that we join as one and understand each other and walk aboit talk about it,” he added.
See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership and 90 partner organisations are rolling out a month long national Green Ribbon Campaign to get people talking openly about mental health problems in May 2017.
More than 500,000 green ribbons will be distributed nationwide free of charge to spark a national conversation about mental health in boardrooms, break-rooms, chat rooms, clubhouses, arts venues, college campuses and around kitchen tables throughout Ireland.
Their aim is to make the month of May every year synonymous with promoting open conversation of mental health and challenging the stigma of mental health problems.
.Elma Walsh and Colin ‘Poshey’ Ahern launching the 5k A Day challenge.
WHILE many people will be starting their new health regime at the beginning of next month, why not combine it with this great fundraiser.
Mental health awareness campaigner, Colin ‘Poshey’ Aherne has set himself a new challenge and he wants as many people as possible to join in.
He intends to run 5k A Day for January, donating €1 for each run to total €31 for the month.
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“As many people know, I try my best to promote positive mental health,” said Poshey. “I saw this ‘5k a day’ by Vincent O’Leary from Kerry Crusaders who does it in December so I said I’d love to do it in January and raise awareness about positive mental health and the effects of exercise on a person’s mental health.”
“It helps,” he continued. “Why do you think after people exercise they feel great? During the experience the body releases the happy hormones and makes you feel good. Imagine giving your body that feeling a few days a week? It works as personally it helped my mental health and my Born To Run running crew friends says it’s helps. When I’m having a bad day, I put on the running shoes and run my worries away.”
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Poshey extended his thanks to Elma Walsh from the Donal Walsh foundation who is offering everyone who completes the 31 day Challenge and donates €31, a free Donal Walsh #livelife top.
Also, the second charity Poshey is running for is Jigsaw Kerry and they also have limited number of running tops which can be collected in Jigsaw Kerry in Tralee.
“I hope people get involved. You can even walk the 5k a day it’s a not a race it’s about being active and start off 2017 in positive mind and start are you mean to go on,” he said.
.Sophie O’Brien, Danica Kelleher and Sarah Fitzgerald taking part in a Mindfulness class at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí are celebrating their annual Positive Mental Health Week at the moment and a number of events and activities are taking place at the school.
The week is part of an overall health promotion initiative in the school following on from the Mental Health Amber flag that the school was awarded last year.
All the activities are organised to focus on the factors necessary for good mental health, increasing student’s resilience and ability to cope with life’s stresses by identifying positive ways of coping.
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Harriet McGuigan, who runs Mindful Teens programmes in schools, giving a class in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
The week began with workshops with Seámus Whitty from Kerry Life Skills for 1st years who focused in on resilience, respect and friendships. Sarah Jane Grunfeld from Nutshell training and education gave a workshop to Leaving Cert students which looked at skills to help motivate them to a successful, happy and fulfilled life.
Second years had a visit from Jigsaw Kerry a community based support for young people’s mental health needs to talk about the resources they have available in the Tralee. Eoin Burns and Shoutout (LGBT support group) provided workshops to the 5th years, while the Leaving Certs took time out of their studies to take part in Yoga classes. Third year student’s focused on mindfulness.
A hot chocolate and Fruit bowl fundraiser was run by 3rd year students for the Mental Health Organisation Jigsaw in Tralee to recognise the work they do with young people in the community. The week will end with music and dance with Zumba classes.
.Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
A NUMBER of demonstrators lined up outside the entrance to University Hospital Kerry on Friday afternoon to protest at €12 million goverment cuts to mental health services.
“To cut €12,000,000 off a budget for services that already can’t cope defies belief really,” said one of the demonstration’s organisers, Ger Collins.
“The staff who work in the psychiatric services alone in this hospital [University Hospital Kerry] are under enormous pressure. We won’t tolerate it and we’re going to make a stand and people all over the country will make a stand,” he said.
The demonstration was organised on Facebook by Ger Collins – who has experience working in social care – and Shauna Enright, a third year mental health student who feels passionately about the issue.
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.Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
“The goverment are sending out a very poor message to people who are suffering with mental health illnesses and people who work in the sector,” said Ger Collins.
Demonstrating with members of the public were county councillors, Michael Gleeson, Toireasa Ferris and Norma Foley, Cormac Williams of the Psychiatric Nurses Union, organiser of Darkness Into Light Tralee, Colin Aherne, members of IT Tralee student union and others.
A Kerry Rose sash is not a regular sight at a demonstration, but current holder of that title, Julett Culloty, was also on hand to lend her support.
“It’s really something the goverment need to address at this stage because mental health needs investment rather than it being taken away,” said Julett, who herself is a social care worker.
“We all know people who have suffered from mental health problems and depression,” she said. “I think it’s one of those areas that doesn’t get enough support behind it. I know over the last few years people are beginning to talk about it more, but I think it needs all the attention it can,” she added. Scroll down for photos…
Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
.Deirdre Fee of Be Aware Prevent Suicide with ‘Minding Our Minds: A Guide to Supports and Services’, the mental wellness Directory, which will be delivered to Kerry homes over the next week.
HOMES throughout Kerry will receive a free copy of a new mental wellness services directory in the post over the coming week.
The Killarney-based voluntary group, Be Aware Prevent Suicide, is distributing 56,000 free copies of ‘Minding Our Minds: A Guide to Supports and Services’ throughout Kerry in a mail shot between December 10th and December 18th.
A further 24,000 will be distributed free of charge to the IT Tralee and to every secondary school in Kerry.
Group Founder Deirdre Fee is also urging the public to raise the issue of mental health funding with politicians and canvassers in the coming months.
“Please think of raising the mental health issue when election canvassers and politicians call to the door,” Deirdre Fee said. “We need to lobby them to set up a national suicide prevention body the equivalent of the National Roads’ Authority.”
“This should not be a political football,” she said. “There should be a cross-party agreement to put a budget in place to promote mental wellness.”
The free directory is the most ambitious project to date of ‘Be Aware ! Prevent Suicide’, which is committed to being a bridge between the community in Kerry and mental wellness service providers, both voluntary and statutory.
The 64-page guide lists 220 voluntary and statutory services. In addition to the listings, there are articles by South Kerry Coroner Terence Casey, Jim Breen of Cycle Against Suicide, Education Consultant Brenda Healy, Psychiatrist Dr Darra Phelan, Breathing Coach Eoin Burns and Deirdre Fee.
Its production has been made possible by the generosity of Kerry individuals and firms who support the ongoing work of Be Aware Prevent Suicide. Group Founder Deirdre Fee said the directory will serve the group’s aim of de-stigmatising mental health issues by talking about them, by informing the community about the signs, the symptoms, as well as the help and support that is available.
“By working together and talking to each other we can mind our minds and the minds of our families and community,” she said.
She appealed to people to put the directory in a safe place in their homes, should they or a friend or relative need information and advice on the services to access.
The mail shot will not cover houses with ‘No Junk Mail’ stickers. Those who do not receive a directory or groups and companies looking for copies should contact Deirdre Fee at 086-2308788.
Also, donations to help defray the outstanding cost of the directory and its postage would be welcome.
.Be Aware Chairperson and Founder Deirdre Fee, with the new directory. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
A NEW and comprehensive guide to mental health support services throughout Kerry will be launched at the Open Our Minds Mental Wellness Exhibition at the Brandon Hotel, Tralee, on Sunday, November 29.
‘Minding Our Minds: A Guide to Supports and Services’ is an information resource for those experiencing challenges to their emotional well-being.
The free directory has been produced by the Killarney voluntary group, ‘Be Aware ! Prevent Suicide’, which has organised four mental wellness exhibitions to date.
Kerry Peer Support Network, one of the services listed in the directory, will also be launching its plans for further expansion of its recovery support services in Kerry at the Brandon exhibition.
“Be Aware! Prevent Suicide is committed to being a bridge between the community in Kerry and service providers, both voluntary and statutory,” Be Aware Chairperson and Founder Deirdre Fee said.
“We are committed to de-stigmatising mental health issues by talking about them, by informing our community about them—the signs, the symptoms, as well as the help and support that is available,” she said. “By working together and talking to each other we can mind our minds and the minds of our families and community,” she said.
“There is a wealth of highly trained support and service providers in the county, and nationally, who can help us deal with the life-changing events and traumas that challenge our emotional well-being,” she said. “Their contact details, along with the services they provide are listed in ‘Minding Our Minds’.”
The chairperson said that the publishing of 80,000 copies of the directory had been made possible by the generosity of the Kerry public in supporting fund-raising for Be Aware!Prevent Suicide.
She acknowledged the support of key fund-raising events and groups such as Cycle for Suicide Prevention in Memory of Stephanie O’Sullivan, the Charity Fashion Show in Memory of Stephen O’Sullivan, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), North, East and West Kerry Development, ‘Calendar Girls Rev up for Charity’ and the ESB.
She said that 55,000 copies of the free directory would be distributed to homes in Kerry while the balance would be donated to third level colleges and second level schools.
“The guide has realised all our expectations thanks to the support of so many people who fundraised and worked to make it a reality,” Ms Fee said. “We believe it will be an invaluable resource for Kerry.”
“The next step will be to generate the finance to ensure its delivery to every home,” she said. “We would appreciate any help in this regard. Ideally, a mail shot by An Post would be the most efficient means of delivery but this is expensive.”
Ms Fee said that recovery will be the theme of the Mental Wellness Exhibition which will follow the successful formula of information stands, workshops and public speakers.
Stories and insights on recovery will be communicated chiefly by professionals and people who have journeyed through wellness with the support of Kerry Peer Support Network which opened its first Recovery Centre in Tralee in 2013.
The centre was developed by a consortium of members including Tralee Mental Health Association, Irish Advocacy Network and Kerry Mental Health Services.
At the exhibition, the Network will unveil plans to roll out this model via other satellite centres throughout Kerry over the coming year.
Through the network’s Peer Support programmes, individuals listen to others who have dealt with similar experiences. They learn to move beyond illness and are provided with opportunities to seek out new pathways and meaning towards living a full life.
“The Network is an example of what the community can do,” Brenda Healy of Tralee Mental Health Association said. “Through our joined efforts we have successfully established something quite new and innovative here in Tralee. We now run recovery groups in the Mental Health Unit-Tralee General Hospital and at Rahoonane Community Centre. We also offer WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) training, free of charge to community groups around the county.”
Jim Breen of Cycle Against Suicide will be the MC at the exhibition which runs from 1pm to 6pm at the Brandon Hotel on Sunday, November 29th.
Contacts: Deirdre Fee: 086-2308788. Brenda Healy: 0868079204.
Anthony Riordan talks openly and candidly about his struggles with mental health in the ‘#MakeSomeNoise For Mental Health’ documentary.
AN IT Tralee student has shot and created a very personal and emotional mental health documentary entitled #MakeSomeNoise For Mental Health and which forms part of her college projects.
Zara O’Dowd, from Castlemaine, made the film as part of her Masters (MA) in Creative Media in which a number of Tralee people share their own intimate stories regarding their struggles with mental health.
“Mental illness became a significant part of my life a few years ago and starting out with my Masters project I knew it would always remain close, but I didn’t realise just how close it would become,” said Zara speaking about the video on her social media account.
“When my dad unfortunately took his own life in February, it would have been easy to change topic or just give up the whole MA altogether. But my dad wouldn’t have wanted that and it’s definitely not something I was prepared to do. I made him a promise and I stuck to it,” she continued.
“It is about real people sharing real stories, from four different perspectives. The documentary follows the life of a vlogger and three other participants who are all connected by one thing; mental illness. It takes on a raw, no frills approach to editing and storytelling which shows the highs and lows of each individual on their own journey,” she finished.
In the video, Alanna Diggin, Fiona McSweeney, Sharon Roche and Anthony Riordan talk about their various experiences with mental health issues, with Anthony at one point talking about how he was reduced to staying in bed for four days straight due to his struggle, while Sharon talks about the pain and suffering of living in the aftermath of her son Sean’s suicide.
Zara’s aim is clear with this documentary; to spread the awareness of mental health and the importance of having open discussions on the topic.
.Fergus Dennehy will see his poem published in the new issue of HeadSpace Magazine.
A TRALEETODAY.IE writer will have his work featured in a national magazine next month in an issue of HeadSpace Magazine.
The magazine is centred around the theme of promoting positive mental health and is distributed to mental health centres and psychiatric centres around the country.
Fergus Dennehy, a native of the Cahermoneen area, will have his poem entitled ‘The Battle’ featured as part of a collection of other works in what will be the publication’s fourth issue.
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Fergus has been invited to Dublin on August 7, along with other contributors to help celebrate the launch in Sweeney’s Bar, Dame Street at 7.30pm on the night.
“It was back in January that I found the submission details online through ‘Writing.ie’ and because I had written a few poems up to then, I figured that I would give it a go and send some in to the magazine,” according to Fergus.
“I heard nothing back for a few months then after this, so naturally I was pleasantly shocked when I got the email in April saying that my work had been chosen.”
“The poem is called ‘The Battle’ and is naturally centred around a battlefield in the immediate aftermath of a fight between two opposing armies. The scene is pretty chaotic I admit, I wanted to try and portray this feeling of being overwhelmed really, and hopefully I did that in some small way,” he said.
The magazine will be available to purchase on the night, which will feature live music on the night also, so if you’re around Dublin that night, definitely make sure to pop in.
IT Tralee students made a video for ‘Day By Day Support Services’.
“Sometimes it’s okay not to be okay”
This is the message that a group of local students from IT Tralee are hoping to get across in their new video for ‘Ó Lá Go Lá Support Services’.
The video, which aims to highlight that we should not be afraid of asking for help if we need it, was filmed and uploaded by students from the college last week. In it, they are shown to be portraying to their friends that they are okay, when in reality they are struggling behind the scenes.
The message behind their work is a simple one; that it is okay to have to ask for help and that your friends/family or other support services are out there.
‘Day by Day Support Services – Ó Lá Go Lá is’ a Not for Profit Organisation registered in Ireland which was set up to provide supervised support to help reduce Suicide, Depression and other Stress Related Illness to service users, who are in need of emotional support and encouragement.
More information can be found on their website (here) or on their Facebook page (here).
Attending the World Suicide Day Candleight Vigil on Wednesday night were, from left; Maureen Harris, Lyrecrompane, Mags Lynch, St Brendan’s Park, Donal Lynch, Ann Ferguson, Tralee, Maggie O’Connell, New Jersey and Siobhan Lynch, Tralee. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 120 people came out to Pearse Park on Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to mark World Suicide Day.
Organised by Tralee resident, Gerard Collins, people gathered to remember those lost to suicide in town and beyond and to let people know that help is there for those feeling depressed.
“Tonight is about remembering everyone lost to suicide,” said Gerald, speaking to TraleeToday.ie before the vigil. “It gives those here tonight who have lost friends and family a chance to come to meet others who are in the same position. It’s about letting people know they’re not alone.”
“An event like this is very important because the stigma surrounding suicide is still there and it has to be gotten rid of,” said Sharon Roche, who lost her son Sean to suicide a few years ago.
“There’s hardly a family that hasn’t been touched by it. It’s particularly emotional for us as my son Sean’s anniversary is coming up on Monday so to come down and be with families who are going through the same pain as we are really does help,” said Sharon.
Speaking to the crowd assembled just before 10pm, Gerard said that those with a mental illness or depression should not feel stigmatised.
“It’s vital that we break the stigma attached to suicide. I heard on the radio tonight that 55% of those with a mental health issue feel that they’re failures. They’re not failures at all,” he said.
Gerard spoke of his own battles with depression.
“I’m manic depressive, I’ve been treated since I was 16. I’m not ashamed of it – I was though, it took me up until I was 36 to accept that I needed help and I got that help and life has changed for me since. I still get black days, serious black days but I know the help is there. And it’s there for everyone of you here. You have the strength to help each other, you don’t have to have degrees or be doctors, you just have to listen,” said Gerard.
He also said there is a need for better facilities for people with mental health issues.
“Everyone of you here can make a difference. We need to put the pressure on for better mental health facilities. By this time next year we will have lost 600 more people in this country to suicide,” he said.
“There’s a lot of people who are in a bad mental state. They living next door to you, you go to school with them, you work with them. Reach out to them,” he said.
At 10pm everybody present lit a candle and observed a few minutes silence before local woman, Lesley Harris, sang a song.
Gerard Collins was there after the ceremony to distribute information about mental health facilities in Tralee and beyond.
Scroll down for video and photos from the vigil…
Part of the large group gathered in Pearse Park on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAnn and Lesley Harris with ‘Kami’ at the Candlelight Vigil in Pearse Park on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot CreanThe candlelight vigil in Pearse Park on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Talk to Us” Samaritans campaign was launched in the streets of Tralee on Thursday by Pat O’Connor, Director of the Kerry Branch of the Samaritans, and Micheal O’Muircheartaigh, supported by Samartitans staff and County Councillors. From left; Regional Publicity Officer Samaritans, Majella Canty; Cllr. Norma Foley; Deputy Director Samaritans Kerry Branch Joan Curtin; Director Samaritans Kerry Branch Pat O’Connor; Micheal O’Muircheartaigh; John O’Keeffe; Cllr. Toireasa Ferris, Josephine Gorman, and Chairperson Samaritans Kerry branch Pauline Corridon. Photo by John Cleary
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GAA commentating legend Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh was in town on Thursday to help the Samaritans with their latest campaign.
A group of representatives from the local branch joined Micheál for a photoshoot in Denny Street to bring the ‘Talk To Us’ campaign to the attention of the general public.
“Samaritans are here for anyone who wants to talk, people can contact us when things are getting to them, they don’t have be suicidal to contact us,” said Pat O’Connor, director of the Kerry Branch.
“This campaign is about letting people in the community know we are trained volunteers and committed to being available round-the-clock for anyone struggling to cope,” he said.
“Samaritans provide a confidential place for our callers to explore their feelings and be themselves,” said Pat.
“July is our national awareness month for the Samaritans,” said Majella Canty, Regional Publicity Officer, with the Samaritans.
“The key aim is to encourage people to talk. We launched our free to call number in March so anyone who has anything on their mind can 116 123 , it’s a free national number to talk to someone in their family, a friend or the Samaritans. 24 hours a day people can talk to the Samaritans, nobody needs to struggle alone,” she said.
AWARE, Ireland’s national charity supporting people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and mood-related conditions, is to host a new positive mental health programme, free of charge, in Tralee starting next month.
