Last week was election week in the University of Limerick which meant that the campus was flooded with campaign posters, notices and chalk messages littered across buildings and pathways urging the students of UL to vote. The positions that needed to be filled were the President, Vice President Academic, and Deputy President Welfare.
The campaigns of each candidate for the various positions were extensive and by the end of the week the students had decided who they wanted to represent them. Sarah Dunphy was voted for President, Donal Foley for Vice President Academic and Caolan O’Donnell for Deputy President Welfare.
One of the most powerful campaigns this week was created by Caolan O’Donnell and his campaign team. Caolan, along with two other young men wanted to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health in young people today. In particular, they wanted to raise awareness of men suffering with mental illness
Internationally, studies show that men are more likely than women to take their own lives. In Ireland the rate of suicide among men is over four times higher than in women.[*] In 2013 the rate was five times higher. So what better way to raise awareness of such a huge issue than by taking the very brave step of talking about their own personal experiences with anxiety, panic attacks and depression?
They created a very poignant video which sees the three men discuss their own experiences with mental health. They talk about their worst days and the battle that they each had to face with their mental health.
[Video from Caolan’s Facebook campaign page]
“I closed up, started hiding away.”
“I was ashamed of myself.”
“I feel worthless and useless, and put myself down all the time.”
“I didn’t know what was wrong with me and that was what scared me, there was nothing going wrong in my life.”
This is the reality for an uncountable number of both men and women across Ireland. A shocking and sad reality that many people can’t understand. The taboo around mental health needs to be shattered. In a society where we cannot feel comfortable admitting that we are not feeling okay, the road to getting better is not going to be an easy one.
The most important thing that these young men recommend is talking to someone. That point cannot be said enough.
Honestly, just talk to someone.
If you are struggling with your mental health don’t stay quiet about it, the first step to healing is to tell someone how you feel. If you can’t quite face it in person why not check out one of these sites:
Secrets of a New Media Student 