I can safely say I am no stranger to the topic of mental health. Mental health issues are a very big problem within Ireland. Unfortunately, mental health is not talked about enough. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in this country. An article recently published from TheJournal.ie stated that Ireland's teen suicide rate is the fourth highest in the EU. It is clear that our society need to do something and we need to do something quickly before another young person turns to suicide.

As with my own struggles with mental health, I suffer from both anxiety and depression. Having one of these problems is bad enough but having the two combined is an everyday struggle. I have had anxiety since the beginning of third year in secondary school. The school had given us an option to do TY or go straight on to Fifth Year. Personally, I have always felt that TY is a waste of time and money. However, I was pressured by the school to pursue the option of TY and with the added stress of the Junior Cert on my mind, I became very anxious and I changed as a result.

My anxiety grew stronger everyday. It was the beginning of January, I started having stomach problems (butterflies), became increasingly anxious and overwhelmed. I did not want to attend class and so my grades suffered. I have since found ways to cope with my anxiety such as doing nightly meditation, learning several breathing techniques and not putting myself into rather overwhelming situations. I also wear black travel sickness bands on my wrists and regularly use rescue pastilles.

I had slowly managed to recover from one problem when another even bigger problem emerged. As someone who suffers from anxiety, placing me into a classroom with nobody I knew in sight was, as you can imagine, terrifying. The main problem was the class were a very close knit group, like family. They are still very close. I immediately knew I would always be seen as an outsider. I would never fit in. Believe me I have tried countless times to get to know other girls (I attend an all girls' catholic secondary school) but with no success.

The first month of Fifth Year was the worst month I have ever experienced. My friends and I broke up and as a result I became self-conscious and very lonely. I felt like I was unlikeable, invisible and people saw me as a loner. Eventually I grew into a deep depression. I stopped paying attention in classes, I didn't talk to anybody, I was simply mute. My grades dropped rapidly. I barely completed my homework and I never, ever studied. Everyday at lunch, I would walk briskly into one of the bathroom stalls and just cry. I would not come out until I was sure everyone had left the bathroom.

Everyday was an ongoing struggle, a very tiring struggle. I was absent many days. When the summer holidays arrived, I slept during the day, everyday. I cried myself to sleep,I sat on my double bed listening to sad music and cried and cried. I would imagine someone holding me telling me it would all be ok but that thought didn't last very long. I had some suicidal thoughts, I spoke to my mam about it and immediately went to my doctor. I was prescribed antidepressants and was told to eat healthily and to exercise.

I have had depression for two long years now. It is still challenging but I am doing better in school. I am more talkative, I am attending counselling weekly and I feel much more like myself again. I would ask anyone with a mental health issue to ask for help if you need it, to be yourself, to build up your self confidence and I can't stress this enough, please take care of your mental health. It is imperative that you learn about your mental illness, you explore it and you learn tactics to cope with it and remember if you are having a bad day and you feel like giving up,"You can do this,I believe in you". You are not alone.

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

"Do you ever feel, like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind?". Everyone remembers the jokes about this, now iconic, lyric. Everyone made said jokes and had a giggle about Katy Perry and feeling like bags etc, nobody ever got what she was trying to say. I do. Years later, I get it.

I have DPD, or Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder. In a more medical, professional way, it's a feeling of detachment from one’s self, a feeling of unreality. In my own way, it's like being high all the time, feeling stuck in one place and not really existing as the world continues around you, and it's really hard. I usually refer to it as "being spaced." I get confused easily, I lose track of conversations immediately and I get overwhelmed by my surroundings very quickly. Shops and shopping centers are a nightmare. I work in a shopping center and honestly, I can't really remember a single shift I have worked for the last few months.

I feel it constantly but sometimes it "flares up" and I feel like a helium balloon, seconds away from disappearing. Once I got so horrifically spaced at work that I almost burned myself, and then on my way home I was almost hit by a car as I was so unaware of my surroundings. Mainly, I feel like I don't exist. I feel like my life and experiences are a dream and everything is happening around me as I do my own thing. Like a bag blowing around alone, with no control over what is happening, as the world continues around it.

It can affect me physically too. One of my friends understands what it's like and helps me, keeps me safe, when it's especially bad. But that can be scary too. The last time it flared up in public she held my hand and let me carry a heavy bag, so I didn't have to panic about floating away, but all I could feel was warm. I couldn't feel her skin on mine, or her squeezing my hand, when she was reassuring me she was doing so. I could just feel heat. I wandered off, picking things up that I knew I should be feeling. A soft blanket, a cool and metallic hairspray can, but I couldn't feel anything. As I'm typing this, I know I'm pressing the keys because the characters are appearing, but I can't feel the keyboard under my fingers. I can feel that my fingers are cold against my cheek, but I can’t feel the skin or the bone.

It's rare that it gets so bad that I'm actually in danger. I wander off a lot when I am going through a "flare up" but it's still distressing. I spend a lot of time sitting quietly, just being, as my friends talk and laugh. I don't feel a strong, emotional connection with them so it can get lonely. The most distressing part is I know how I should be feeling. I know that when I'm with them I should be happy. I know that when I'm watching Lilo and Stitch I should be crying, because I could never watch that movie without crying before, but I just sit there instead, sometimes forcing myself to laugh when I should be laughing.

From what I've gathered, it's not really a rare disorder, but I'm finding it hard to get it properly diagnosed. I've been to doctors and counsellors, but they've all said I'm imagining it, or it will pass eventually, even though it's been months. That doesn't really help with the whole lonely aspect of this. Other people I've spoken to have said that it sounds like fun, being spaced all the time, feeling like I'm high, but it isn't. It makes me anxious and sad and I know I have a great life, I just don't feel like I'm living it. And I'm scared of living it.

I'm so used to being spaced that in a way, being able to experience things again and being able to remember conversations, and not have things repeated to me over and over again is scary and overwhelming. Having to experience sadness, and stress, and anger fully, without knowing that once I've reached a certain level of stress I'll disassociate and not have to deal with it all anymore is terrifying to me. So I'm not sure what’s worse, having to deal with the sadness and being able to feel absolute joy all the time again. Or not feeling anything at all.

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

Throughout 2017, over 4,000 young people across Ireland took part in consultations online and off as part of the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy. The consultations were carried out to give young people a chance to share their views on LGBTI+ issues in Ireland.

The results of these consultations have been gathered in the Youth Consultation Report: Pride, Pals and Perspectives. The report will be launched on Saturday, December 9th by Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone.

At the launch, members of the Youth Advisory Group will present their findings, and young LGBTI+ people from around the country will present creative work that explores their identities on the theme of pride, pals and perspectives.

Participating in the launch

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs are looking for individuals and groups to take part in the launch of the strategy and to present work they have been doing around LGBTI+ identity and activism.

Participating groups would have access to a bursary scheme to assist people in preparing to present their work at the event.

Who could present?

What could we present?

If you have something you’ve been working on or have an idea that you’d love to get off the ground, you can access the bursary to present it in the form of:

If you would like to participate in the launch, click here to download the exhibition bursary application form.

Attending the launch

If you’d like to attend the event, there is also funding available for transport, particularly if you’re coming from outside of Dublin. 

Attending gives you the chance to meet LGBTI+ young people from around the country, discuss the issues, and learn more about the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy.

If you are interested in attending, click here to download the travel bursary application.

For more information, visit the DCYA website.

The focus of this year’s European Action on Alcohol Awareness Week is ‘Alcohol and Cancer’.

The aim of the campaign is to highlight the link between drinking alcohol, particularly at a younger age, and the risk of developing cancer later in life.

The facts on alcohol and cancer

Our campaign, ‘Alcohol & You’ encourages you to consider your relationship with alcohol and how it makes you feel. You can find a range of information on alcohol here, as well as social alternatives so that your weekend doesn’t have to be filled with drinking.

For more information, visit AskAboutAlcohol.ie

The Drummer & The Keeper is an Irish film that tells the story of Gabriel, a young and angry rock and roll drummer who has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and Christopher, a 17 year old goalkeeper with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Gabriel and Christopher get off to a rocky start after a run in at ‘therapeutic football’, but as the story unfolds they develop a strong bond and a friendship that will change both of their lives. 

The film touches on important themes including substance abuse, medication, and mental illness. Gabriel's story explores what it’s like to live with Bipolar Disorder and the strain his psychotic and delusional episodes have on his family life. The Drummer & The Keeper also gives a window into life with Asperger’s Syndrome and the challenges Christopher faces as a teenager in a care home.

This is a touching and heartwarming story, written and directed by Irish singer/songwriter Nick Kelly, and starring a host of Irish talent including Dermot Murphy (Gabriel) and Jacob McCarthy (Christopher).

To be in with a chance to win, head over to our Facebook page to enter. 

You can pick up your own copy of The Drummer & The Keeper in stores now or watch On Demand. DVD stockists include: Supervalu, Golden Discs, Tower Records, Head, Eason, IFI, Light House, Amazon and ebuzz.ie. On demand viewing is available from: iTunes, Virgin Media, Volta, Google, BT, Vubiquity and Microsoft.

The Drummer & The Keeper is an Irish film that tells the story of Gabriel, a young and angry rock and roll drummer who has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and Christopher, a 17 year old goalkeeper with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Gabriel and Christopher get off to a rocky start after a run in at ‘therapeutic football’, but as the story unfolds they develop a strong bond and a friendship that will change both of their lives. 

The film touches on important themes including substance abuse, medication, and mental illness. Gabriel's story explores what it’s like to live with Bipolar Disorder and the strain his psychotic and delusional episodes have on his family life. The Drummer & The Keeper also gives a window into life with Asperger’s Syndrome and the challenges Christopher faces as a teenager in a care home.

This is a touching and heartwarming story, written and directed by Irish singer/songwriter Nick Kelly, and starring a host of Irish talent including Dermot Murphy (Gabriel) and Jacob McCarthy (Christopher).

To be in with a chance to win, head over to our Facebook page to enter. 

You can pick up your own copy of The Drummer & The Keeper in stores now or watch On Demand. DVD stockists include: Supervalu, Golden Discs, Tower Records, Head, Eason, IFI, Light House, Amazon and ebuzz.ie. On demand viewing is available from: iTunes, Virgin Media, Volta, Google, BT, Vubiquity and Microsoft.

An emergency rally is taking place on Monday, 20th November 2017 at 5:30pm organised by the Young, Paperless & Powerful campaign group to stand up for young undocumented migrants in America.

Young, Paperless & Powerful is a campaign group made up of undocumented young people aged 14-21 living in Ireland who joined to share their story and highlight the experience of young undocumented migrants in Ireland.

The Young, Paperless & Powerful group are urging the US Congress to pass the Dream Act, a piece of legislation that would save young undocumented immigrants from deportation. The Dream Act would give these young people a path to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

At their solidarity rally on Monday, the group will be calling on Irish-American Congressman Pete King to support the Dream Act.

The group are inviting Irish people to stand with them in solidarity with undocumented young people in the US. They will be meeting on Monday at 5.30pm at the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay in Dublin.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I find the idea that we are expected to decide what to do with the rest of our lives at age 17 or 18, a bit ridiculous. Not only that, but we’re also set a deadline, to rank in order of preference what we want to be doing and where we want to be for the next 3 or 4 years of our lives, before we even see our exam results.

Further education options

Although it’s improving in more recent times, a further education option I feel is not advertised widely enough is the PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) option. These courses usually last a year, or sometimes two, and give an excellent foundation or idea of if the area is something you’d like to pursue further.

I entered my Leaving Cert year completely overwhelmed by the CAO, courses, and points. I don’t think I even knew what a PLC was until my mother told me about a college in our local town that offered these courses, and how it could be a good option for me due to how unsure I was, with everything from Drama to Midwifery on my CAO form at this stage!

Helping me to see things clearly

I spent a year in a local Further Education college doing a Level 5 course in Social Studies and Psychology, and I can honestly say I will never regret it. It gave me such a good idea of what the whole area of Social Studies was about, and really made up my mind that it was something I wanted to continue on with and complete a degree in. It also helped that a lot of things I learned during my PLC course, was then covered again in the 1st year of my degree, so I really felt like I had a good foundation and understanding.

Often a lot of these courses are made up of a mixture of school leavers and mature students of all ages, and I feel this brings so much diversity to the class and makes for some interesting conversations and debates, and really gives you a huge range of views on everything.

Preparing you for your career

For people that don’t want to spend three or four years getting a degree, there are also so many PLCs that can send you straight into employment once you’re finished, another huge advantage. For those that may not have gotten the points they needed in their Leaving Cert, doing a PLC can help them get those points. Overall, I think that if you’re any way unsure about what course you’d like to do, or if you even want to continue on to a degree course at all, then a PLC is the way to go.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I find the idea that we are expected to decide what to do with the rest of our lives at age 17 or 18, a bit ridiculous. Not only that, but we’re also set a deadline, to rank in order of preference what we want to be doing and where we want to be for the next 3 or 4 years of our lives, before we even see our exam results.

Although it’s improving in more recent times, a further education option I feel is not advertised widely enough is the PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) option. These courses usually last a year, or sometimes two, and give an excellent foundation or idea of if the area is something you’d like to pursue further.

I entered my Leaving Cert year completely overwhelmed by the CAO, courses, and points. I don’t think I even knew what a PLC was until my mother told me about a college in our local town that offered these courses, and how it could be a good option for me due to how unsure I was, with everything from Drama to Midwifery on my CAO form at this stage!

I spent a year in a local Further Education college doing a Level 5 course in Social Studies and Psychology, and I can honestly say I will never regret it. It gave me such a good idea of what the whole area of Social Studies was about, and really made up my mind that it was something I wanted to continue on with and complete a degree in. It also helped that a lot of things I learnt during my PLC course, was then covered again in the 1st year of my degree, so I really felt like I had a good foundation and understanding.

Often a lot of these courses are made up of a mixture of school leavers and mature students of all ages, and I feel this brings so much diversity to the class and makes for some interesting conversations and debates, and really gives you a huge range of views on everything.

For people that don’t want to spend 3 or 4 years getting a degree, there are also so many PLCs that can send you straight into employment once you’re finished, another huge advantage. For those that may not have gotten the points they needed in their Leaving Cert, doing a PLC can help them get those points. Overall, I think that if you’re any way unsure about what course you’d like to do, or if you even want to continue on to a degree course at all, then a PLC is the way to go.

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

Senator Neale Richmond, elected to Seanad Éireann in April 2016 to the Labour Panel as a spokesperson on European Affairs, was very kind to invite the members of the Indian Youth Ireland to the Leinster House and gave a private tour of the Dail, after IYI emailed the Honourable Senator inviting him to their IYI Talks, for a thorough discussion on the letter he wrote to the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D. asking his own government to relax work permit laws for Non-EU nationals.

Indian Youth Ireland (IYI) is an organisation founded by Mr. Shashank R. Chakerwarti to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among the Indian youth residing in Ireland, simultaneously creating one of the best support systems for them here. IYI Talks is an initiative to provide the members with a platform for a healthy discussion and share their concerns on contemporary issues that affect them most.  

Senator Neale Richmond shared some very compelling facts that the majority of the population is overlooking and if not dealt immediately, could affect the Irish economic growth.

Post completing his education in Finance the Senator moved to Belgium where he learnt that there is not a city on this planet, where you will not find an Irish pub. Ireland is a nation whose majority of the population emigrated during The Great Famine to the far corners of this world, in search of a new home and economic opportunities, but perhaps, we have not been a great host. We will soon be reaching a point where the likes of Donald Trump’s presidency, Britain’s Exit from the European Union, the ever growing threat of nuclear war with North Korea and Ireland’s very liberal approach to the EU could make the state a very attractive focal point for investors and multinational firms.

However, Ireland’s employment statistics show that the Republic will be reaching full employment very soon from unemployment figures 15%-16% during the crash to currently 6%, and in future at 3%, the country is to be considered fully employed according to International standards. An increasing inward investment and job production may lead to a higher demand for labourers, whilst the Republic will not be able to supply that market need if work permit applications are not eased for Non-EU nationals, especially for attracting skilled labour.

What led to the Senator writing to the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation?

Neale was drinking coffee in his favourite coffee shop, approached by the owner saying he will have to shut his business down, resulting into 10 jobs lost, solely because his three Mauritian chefs, who the owner trained for years are being deported after their case was held in the immigration for 9 years. Neale was contacted by multiple SMEs like the coffee shop to be their voice in the Irish political sphere. The Senator raised concerns over the severe shortage of hospitality staff with a rapidly growing Irish tourism sector, IT professionals, Data Specialists, Bookkeepers, and the Financial sector boom post BREXIT will require qualified financial professionals to fill this void.

“1 job creates 10 more jobs” – Senator Neale Richmond

Watch Senator Neale Richmond’s full talk here on his letter to the Tánaiste, followed by a panel discussion featuring Mr. Asheesh Dewan and Mr. Godfrey Chimbganda.

View photos from the IYI Talks with Senator Neale Richmond.

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

In today's society, it's no doubt many of us will observe the trends and changes around us. We are fed the ideal body, personality, image and so on particularly through social media. Many young people feel the need to look a certain way. But by constantly comparing yourself to other people, I truly believe your self-esteem will plummet. Such that trying to make yourself look like Zac Efron or Beyoncé, you are only destroying your confidence and becoming a subject of social influence.

By looking through these 'perfect' photos of celebrities, fitness fanatics or imagining the clothes every other teenager is wearing you're not doing yourself any good. The way I see it is that, when young people mirror the images of other young people, they're more or less expressing that they're trying to feel more confident and less vulnerable. Some are fearful to stand out so they crave to fit in. This is what young people need to grasp. Just because everybody else is doing it doesn’t mean you should too. If you really do admire the clothing trends or make-up style then of course go for it, but don’t change yourself to merely impress others. It’s not worth it.

Not only do we compare body types I also think people tend to look to other people to feel worthy or important. For instance, lately on Facebook I've noticed girls putting up quite a lot of lovey dovey quotes or statuses about guys. A lot of these posts would be about how men treat women, how a man makes them feel loved etc and not only does this baffle me but I also find it quite bizarre. Of course, everyone wants to feel loved, but why don't we just love ourselves. Why do those girls who posts those statuses need a man to make them feel worthy? You don't need someone to call you beautiful or to tell you that you look great in that dress. Tell yourself you are beautiful and you look great in that dress. We need to stop looking to society and other people for approval.

Another interesting thing I've noticed is people comparing their lives with the lives of others. For example, you're on Instagram and your friend just told you about how she's going on a month’s holiday this summer and how she's buying a new car next week. When you've been told this, you many feel quite disappointed. In the sense that your life seems nowhere exciting as that. This is the problem, when you're comparing your grades, holidays, job and lifestyle to that of other people you are essentially telling your mind you're worthless. Life is not a competition.

What I always think is important is to give yourself some credit at the end of the day. Somewhere out there somebody would love to be in the position you're in. You’re always one step ahead than you think. I would suggest starting each day with something you're grateful for, it doesn't have to be something big. As well as that give yourself something to do each day that maybe you've been putting off. Whether it be cleaning that pile of clothes in the corner or your room or to go and do that theory test. By doing something productive each day, you're enhancing your confidence. Finally remember that, "If you want to improve your self-worth stop giving other people the calculator."

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

This week is BeLonG To’s Stand Up! Awareness Week 2017, an annual campaign to address homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. Over the week, schools across Ireland will take part by displaying posters, holding activities, and starting conversations. The campaign asks young people in Ireland to stand up for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender + (LGBT+) friends and let them know they support them.

Homophobic and transphobic bullying is still a widespread issue, and BeLonG To are asking schools all over the country to educate themselves and their students on LGBTI+ inclusion and to create a positive and welcoming environment for LGBTI+ students.

How can I take part?

This year, BeLonG To are asking people to take part in the #StandUp2017 social media campaign by sharing a story of when a friend stood up for them. It doesn’t have to be LGBTI+ related.

Ways to join the #StandUp2017 Social Media campaign

  1. Share a photo of yourself and a friend who stood up for you during a hard time.
  2. Tag your friend and let them know how much it meant to you that they took a stand for you.
  3. Use the hashtag #StandUp2017and tag BeLonG To in your post (@BeLonGToYouthServices on Facebook, @BeLonG_To on Twitter, @belongtoyouthservices on Instagram.)

Here are some suggestions for what you can include in your post:

If you take part in any activities for Stand Up! Awareness week, you can send pictures to [email protected].

For more information visit www.belongto.org.

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