Ireland's Attitude Towards Mental Health is Changing

We have work to do, but are moving in the right direction.

For as long as I can remember, people in Ireland have spoken about the stigma attached to mental health and the lack of services available in the country to support those in need. No doubt we can improve our mental health system and encourage more people to speak up. However, in 2019, I think things are better than ever.

Let’s start with the downside. A survey earlier this year reported that 38.4% of students in Ireland suffer from anxiety, while 29.9% are depressed. It is also estimated that a quarter of Irish people will suffer from mental health related illness in their lifetime. This is not positive news, but isn’t it at least good that we are talking about it, and that more people than ever are prepared to talk about it?

In Ireland today we have more mental health support services than ever before. ‘Young’ companies like Jigsaw, MyMind or SpunOut have grown in recent times and now support people all over Ireland. Traditional organisations such as Pieta House and Samaritans are also active nationwide. Mental health counselling has never been more accessible in Ireland than it is today!

There are now more innovative and creative solutions and campaigns, too. Jigsaw have developed a new eLearning service this year called Jigsaw Online, becoming the first to offer this service in Ireland and making the support more accessible than ever. SpunOut offer an abundance of online information in different formats for youths to access. These alternative methods of support allow people to access help from anywhere and at any time.

Every year we hear of new fundraising and awareness campaigns. The annual ‘Movember’ campaign has raised awareness for over a decade now, and last year raised €65 million. Students in Galway last year undertook an alternative challenge named ‘Coldvember – involving swimming in The Atlantic Ocean every morning for the month of November – and this has since grown to other universities like UCD. Coldvember NUIG are on course to raise €10,000 this year. Mental Health Week also takes place in Ireland each year in October, and promotes the slogan ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ which has become increasingly familiar.

Campaigns such as these prove that the stigma associated with mental health in Ireland is diminishing. People are no longer afraid of speaking about their suffering or that of family members, and they are prepared to act and help instead. Fundraising aside, the fact that people are prepared to stand up, speak and support others in the battle against mental health is massive progress for Irish society, and it is being driven by young people.

Young People Standing Tallest

Niall 'Bressie' Breslin

It really is brilliant to see the young people of Ireland becoming the change-drivers in society, but why is this the case? Is it because the younger generation are most affected, or because they are more courageous and outspoken? Maybe, it is due to the fact that many role models of young people have spoken out and paved the way for their admirers to follow.

Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin, lead singer of The Blizzards and a former sportsman with Westmeath GAA and Leinster Rugby, has spoken openly of his battles with depression. He has gained major admiration from his followers and others. His openness in admitting his troubles and encouraging others to speak up has been praised.

Roz Purcell regularly posts messages on Instagram

Roz Purcell, an Irish model who appeared to have everything from good-looks, fame and fortune on her side, has widely discussed her troubles with mental health, too. In particular, Roz speaks about her eating disorders and the pressures on her to maintain a ‘perfect’ body image. Her campaigning has helped young women in Ireland to feel comfortable in their own skin.

These are just two of the Irish role models who have helped to fight the stigma associated with mental health in Ireland. They have back the ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ slogan and opened up about their own experiences, paving the way for others to follow. This has been key in the change in attitude around mental health in Ireland.

You may have read this article and disagree with my opinion, but hear me out. Although our rates of mental health illness are quite high, our attitude around dealing with the issues have completely changed. We have more support services than ever before, more people campaigning and speaking about it than ever before, and more innovative solutions than ever before. In September of this year, The Irish Times reported that the suicide rate in Ireland had reached its lowest level in 20 years. We are definitely moving in the right direction.

We all have different ways of dealing with our own mental health issues. If you know of any particularly helpful mental health support services, please let us know in the comment section!