Youth Work Ireland’s Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMA) have released their new 12th volume, featuring music from Louth’s Youth Work team and Elana Mulligan, from Youth Action Northern Ireland. Elana is IYMAs Lil Red songwriter winner. The album was produced at Sun Studios and mastered by Richard Dowling in Wav Mastering Limerick, who has worked with David Bowie, The Foo Fighters and Choice Music Winners Soak.

IYMAs release Volume 12 2019

Speaking of the release, Irish Youth Music Awards Director Barry Lennon said “It’s brilliant to be able to produce and release IYMAs Volume 12 as part of our programme as a testament to the brilliant up and coming creatives and musicians we have across the island of Ireland. We hope everyone can stream or buy a copy before next Thursday the 24th of October so we can try to get the album into the charts and showcase this talent”

Alan Swan, Director of Music RTÉ 2FM said “The Irish Youth Music Awards programme is such an important programme to help develop, support and create a platform for new musicians from across the entire island of Ireland. We are very proud of our partnership with the IYMAs and hope everyone can support the release of IYMAs volume 12. We look forward to further developing this partnership this year”

This volume is now available worldwide to stream and buy also on CD at Golden Discs in Drogheda.

For More Information:

An unanswered text

As I sat in a café sipping my flat white I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation to my left. “I can’t believe he left me on seen” said the girl with the messy bun. Her friend with the high pony tail looked at her deadpan and said “Girl he’s definitely at work, or with the lads. When was he last active?” The messy bun somehow looked even messier now as the girl rustled through her hair nervously before wearily replying ”…10 minutes ago”. The conversation picked up again but the gingerbread man on her plate remained untouched.

I tried to zone out and get back to the conversation in front of me but I somehow found myself invested. The poor girl I thought to myself, she’s clearly on edge. I wonder will he respond… maybe he IS busy.. or maybe he’s ghosting her? Or maybe.. just maybe.. he’s just not that into…DING! My racing thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the vibration of the table. I looked up and knew by her Cheshire cat grin that he in fact was.. still into her! “Ben replied. He said he had to lock up the shop for one of boys.” And just like that, I witnessed a transformation. That messy bun stood a little taller, those eyes started to twinkle, and a gingerbread man lost an arm. All for what… two little ticks?

Do we over analyse texts?

I drove home asking myself how was it that the thought of being “seen” would in fact make us feel quite the opposite? In fact being left on read can more often than not make us feel exposed, insecure, even anxious? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – we are hurting ourselves with how we communicate on social media. Or should I say, miscommunicate. I’ve seen the most confident people over analyse texts or even ask me “read that, and tell me what you think.” And sometimes we can become hyper over the smallest of details. I’m talking as small as a full stop being placed as opposed to an “xox.” I hate to break it to you but an emoji of a cute giraffe followed by a love heart will never equate to someone looking you in the eye and telling you just how much they love you.

Miscommunication

I like numbers, and if you like numbers, you’ll like this next part too! Mehrabian’s communication theory is a theory that suggests communication can be broken into a 55/38/7 ratio. We give 55% of meaning to facial expressions and body language, 38% of meaning to tone of voice and only 7% of meaning toward the actual spoken words. Therefore we can look at someone’s face before listening to their tone of voice. There’s just one problem, where do we give meaning to written words? Like a text message for example? And how? Because if I’ve learned anything at all it’s that getting a “Have you eaten something today?” text can sometimes mean more than “can’t WAIT to see you!!” text. But unless you’re with that person to interpret their facial expressions, and listen to their voice whilst reading their body language, then of course there’s a potential for miscommunication.

What’s more likely to be miscommunicated is being left on “seen”. We have all witnessed someone saying one thing, while completely meaning another. They say they’re not nervous, whilst their palms sweat and knees shake. Therefore how in god’s name are we supposed to know the difference between “Heyyyyy, so sorry I was up the walls!! Xx” and “Was working.” See the difference? Well maybe there isn’t any! Maybe if you actually saw the person who “was working” they might smile with relief as soon as they see you, throw their arms around you, and tell you just how long a day they’ve had. But instead, we read that message and get irritated “ugh he hasn’t texted all day and now he couldn’t be bothered. I’m not texting him for the night now.” Sound familiar?

Taking back control from our phones

Because as much as our phones have made it accessible for constant contact, I believe they have also made constant reassurance an issue too. I can’t remember the last time where I didn’t apologise to someone for not responding within 45 minutes. “Sorry, I was in the shower and didn’t see your text!” More like “Sorry for living and maintaining a quality personal level of hygiene hun!”

So if you have taken anything from this, it’s to try not to overanalysing every single delayed response, lack of “xox” or “..” and instead of checking when they were “last active” get active yourself! You never know who you might meet. After all, you’re the only one who has control of your messy bun. So remind yourself of it.

A new project was launched last week in Mayo to help support young people whose parents are experiencing mental health difficulties. 

The WITH project (Wellbeing in the Home) is a collaboration between Mayo Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Mindspace Mayo. The project was developed by youth members of Mindspace Mayo and Comhairle na nÓg, as well as young people who have used the CAMHS service in Mayo.

Life can be hectic for young people nowadays. There can be constant pressure from peers, parents, school or college.. However mindfulness and other calming activities can reduce everyday general stress and anxiety and eventually lead to better wellbeing. Fiona Brennan is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness, and NLP practitioner, Mental Health expert on Today FM, TEDx speaker Blogger and an Ambassador for Positivity in the media. Building on her success, in 2016 Fiona launched her online, five-star rated, hypnotherapy programme which now helps people all over the world. Her first book is the best-selling ‘The Positive Habit.’ It is published by Ireland’s leading non-fiction publishers and is endorsed by Jack Canfield of ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ fame. So I decided to ask her a few questions about the mindfulness and wellbeing scene in Ireland, with a particular focus on young people.


How did you get into mindfulness and wellbeing?

I trained as a Clinical Hypnotherapist seven years ago, before that I was an actress. I had suffered from my own mental health issues in the form of chronic anxiety and when I experienced the power of therapy and mindfulness to help me transform into a happy, calm and positive person, I was passionate to share what I had learned. I now run a very busy practice, I have an online programme and I am a best selling author. I am dedicated to helping as many people as I can.

 

What impact do you feel that mindfulness has on improving someone’s mental health?

Being mindful or what I refer to in my book as ‘The Now Habit’ is fundamental to making positive change. In order for us to improve our mental health I believe we must firstly become aware of our thought patterns that lead into our emotional habits.

 

Do you think schools are doing enough to promote good mental health to students (wellbeing classes etc) and what practical steps do you think schools should do to promote positive mental health and wellbeing?

We have made giant leaps forward and there is progress but I would love to see the day where every school assembly started the day with a meditation session and that the students felt truly safe to speak about their feelings with teachers who are trained in the area of dealing with mental health. This needs to be a prerequisite and not a luxury. When a student is suffering, it’s difficult to learn.

 

What’s one practice, mantra etc. you live by each day to keep positive and happy?

My mantra and the one that has helped me most comes from Eckhart Tolle, the spiritual guru and author of The Power of Now:

“Whatever the present moment contains accept it as if you had chosen it Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy. This will miraculously transform your whole life.”

 

Is there anything else you’d like to say to young people in Ireland about positive mental health?

Learn the tools to manage your thoughts, practice self-acceptance, self-compassion and self-love, all will flow from there.

This October, I had the privilege of being selected for a Model European Union (MEU) in Italy, organised by BETA Italia. From absolutely falling in love with previous European events I knew I would make it a priority to go. Studying Law and French in college I not only saw it as an excellent opportunity but an engaging learning experience.

Every MEU simulation has a different amount of participants from different countries all over Europe. Usually the age range is around 18-30 and surrounded by like minded people, I was bound to make friends for life. It’s a chance to live with other cultures and speak languages you are learning in college or school to native speakers.

Roleplaying for the week

During the day you would play your role in the European Parliament or Council. There are three roles you can apply for – Minister, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) or journalist. You’re given the country and political party that you will represent for the next five or so days. For example, I was France and part of the ‘Identity and Democracy’ Party. This pushes you outside your comfort zone as you don’t always get a party that matches your own values. I definitely struggled pretending to be right wing but it opened my mind more to their ideas.

Having your say

Throughout the course of the week you try to make amendments to the suggested legislation according to the values you’re supposed to represent. You get the chance to stand up and try to convince everyone to vote for the changes you believe should be made. It’s an excellent opportunity to boost your confidence and learn more skills. The legislation then goes through a voting process and if agreed on by the council it passes. It’s a practical way of learning how the EU really works.

The social side

During the evenings there would be social events to bond with the other young people on the trip. These included a pub crawl through Milan, Pizza night, Karaoke, City tours etc. With the freedom of staying in a hostel we were also able to explore the city on our own terms instead of going to bed at a reasonable hour. I went for a walk with one of the other delegates and we came across Mazurka Klandestina – an Italian organised group open to the public, that meet up every night to dance into the early hours. Taking part in this made me feel part of something so special and has left me with memories that will last forever.

My advice to anyone who is at all interested in Europe, politics, languages, culture, late nights and early mornings, making friends and falling in love or just wants to travel, should sign up to an MEU. There are MEUs in almost every European country all year round and the cost is kept to a minimum. You will learn so much about Europe and about yourself.

What are you waiting for?

The HSE are launching a new campaign this month to encourage people to give up smoking. Throughout the month, the You Can Quit Facebook page will share advice you need to kick your smoking habit.

Everyone taking part in October Quest will be encouraged to use the HSE Quit services and each day there will be new tips, resources and opportunities to share how people are finding their quit journeys.

Ahead of Paddy Holohan’s talk at Zeminar, I was given the opportunity to interview Paddy on political activism and his motivations for getting engaged in his local area.

Paddy’s background

Paddy Holohan is from Tallaght in Dublin. He climbed the ranks of Mixed Martial Arts and had his debut fight in the UFC in 2014. He remained in the UFC until his retirement in 2016. Since then, he has become the owner of an MMA club in Tallaght, known as SBG D24. In the 2019 local elections, Paddy was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor for the South Dublin Council.

Paddy also runs a podcast known as No Shame. With guests that vary from politicians, to musicians and MMA fighters there is no topic too controversial for Paddy to strike up a conversation about. An example of some guests he has had on would be former MEP Lynn Boylan, Dublin GAA’s Philly McMahon, Irish musician Maverick Sabre and SpunOut.ie Action Panel member Clara Hand. Paddy has also written an autobiography “Hooligan.”

Speaking at Zeminar

I was interested in interviewing Paddy when I saw he was speaking at Zeminar. Zeminar is a three day event which focuses on the wellbeing and education movement for Generation Z (15-20 year olds). The event includes speeches, panel discussions, workshops and interactive stands from a variety of speakers and organisations. You can learn more about Zeminar and all the speakers through the Zeminar app.

I’ve been following Paddy throughout his local election campaign and have been a fan of his podcast. Being able to interview him is a golden opportunity to spark a conversation about what motivates him to get involved in local politics. I hope the conversation can help myself and others to become interested in getting more politically active in our local areas.

What motivated you to get involved in local politics?

“There is a huge division between what is reality in this country and what the current ‘leaders’ of this country believe is reality. Over the last 10 years, I think we have all witnessed consecutive governments make terrible decisions for our country. When this time in Irish history is written, I want to be on the right side of it – fighting for the ordinary joe – the working man or woman, for the basics – like healthcare and housing.”

Before being elected as a local councillor, how active were you in your local area?

“For a long time I have been volunteering with many of the great programmes we have available in our community including Citywise. I have linked in with local prison services, scholarship programmes and schools to encourage change. I own a Martial Arts Academy – SBG D24 in the area which has always been a goal of mine to set up a facility for others that helped me find the right path in life.”

Since being elected do you think the level of activeness has changed?

Since the UFC, people in my community have always seen me as approachable and reached out to me to work alongside local councillors, before I was elected. The availability to now be able to view proposals for building developments, parks, budgets etc and to have a voice and a vote within South Dublin County Council for people like me is a great thing, to make sure their voice can be heard inside the council is extremely important.

Finally, what advice would you give to a young person who wants to become more active in their local area?

Something as simple as organising a road clean up can have a bigger effect than having a ‘clean road’ at the end. It’s a way for all different communities and religions to blend together and inspire others to do the same. Looking after where we live and taking pride in your community is something that should start from an early age – pride is infectious. It’s important for our youth, not only to be inspired but to inspire and direct each other in a positive way. I truly believe the saying “It’s not where you live, it’s how you live.”

Mark’s background

Mark Pollock is an international motivational speaker, explorer, and author from Northern Ireland. At the age of five, Mark lost his sight in his right eye. He then lost the sight in his left eye aged 22. Mark has always been interested in sports having rowed competitively in college and winning silver and bronze medals for rowing at the Commonwealth Games. In 1998 Mark became an adventure athlete, competing in ultra-endurance races across the globe, including running six marathons in seven days with a sighted partner across the Gobi Desert in China. In one of the ultra-endurance races saw Mark reached the South Pole. Finishing the race made Mark the first blind person to reach the South Pole. In 2010 after a fall from a second story window and near death experience, Mark became paralysed.

The Exoskeleton Access Programme 

Since his accident, Mark has been working to cure paralysis. He is exploring the intersection where humans and technology meet and helping to put an increased focus on collaborations that have never been done before. On September 4th Mark, in collaboration with Dublin City University, launched the Exoskeleton Access Programme. This is a free access programme that provides people with paralysis the chance to walk with the assistance of an exoskeleton. The Exoskeleton used in the programme allows people to walk upright inside a robotic frame that attaches to their body. As well as helping with rehabilitation, it also delivers many of the health benefits that regular walking provides. Mark has taken over 1.5 million steps using the exoskeleton. 

Run in the Dark

Mark is also the co-founder of the global running series called Run in the Dark. This 5k or 10k nighttime run every November aims to “inspire people to build resilience and collaborate with others so that, together, they achieve more than they thought possible.”

Mark has become a motivational speaker and is perhaps best known for his 2019 TED Talk that focused on resolving the tension between acceptance and hope. Through his speeches he was influenced millions of people across the world.

Speaking at Zeminar

Zeminar is a three day event which includes speeches, panel discussions, workshops and interactive stands from a variety of speakers and organisations. Zeminar is a Wellbeing & Education movement for Generation Z that caters for 15-20 year olds and their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches, irrespective of academic ability or socio-economic background. You can learn more about Zeminar and all the speakers through the Zeminar app. 

I was given the opportunity of interviewing Mark ahead of his “When the challenge chooses you” speech at Zeminar on Tuesday the 8th of October. I decided to ask about what motivates Mark and how he stays positive.

What helps keep you in a positive space?

“Sometimes we have the luxury of choosing our challenges. And sometimes challenges just choose us. What we decide to do about them is what counts. So I focus on the decisions that I can make.”

What motivated you to continue overcoming barriers that can appear impossible?

“As Friedrich Nietzsche said ‘He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.’ Working to uncover why I get out of bed in the morning allows me to take on seemingly impossible challenges. It’s all about finding your why.”

What is the one thing or person that has inspired you on your journey of making a medical breakthrough?

“History is filled with accounts of the impossible made possible through human endeavour. The kind of human endeavour that explorers have displayed throughout history. Inspired by explorers of all kinds I started asking myself why can’t that same human endeavour cure paralysis in our lifetime And I believe that it can – it’s the explorer’s mindset.”

What advice would you give to young people who feel like they’re facing impossible barriers?

“When you feel like you’re at zero, just get to one. It requires us to stick in there, ask for help and give it time. It’s not easy but getting to one will always happen eventually.”

When it comes to advocating for mental health awareness, I feel Abigail McDonnell is an example of being that light at the end of a dark tunnel. Abigail is a 22 year old mental health advocate. Having experienced her own personal struggles with her mental health, she realised that advocating for mental health awareness is her passion in life. She is continuously involved in advocacy through her social media presence and her work with different organisations. As a result, she says it has helped her grow and learn more about herself. She says that meeting like minded people in the different organisations that she worked with felt so amazing and she never feels like volunteering is a chore.

Starting her advocacy work

SeeChange Ambassador

Her advocacy work first started with SeeChange in her first year of college. She saw in a college email that they were looking for ambassadors. She says “I thought maybe I’ll meet some people who have been what I’ve been through. I was accepted as an ambassador and have never looked back.” As an ambassador, she also started writing about her mental health experience. Her confidence in herself and in her writing grew with the positive feedback she was getting so she got more and more active in the mental health space.

Jigsaw Youth Advisory Panel

She had followed Jigsaw’s social media platforms for years to learn more about their work. Another opportunity came up one day when they posted looking to interview people to join their youth advisory panel. “I was having such a good experience with SeeChange that I decided to interview, and was accepted! Jigsaw has given me so many opportunities over the past couple years and they are truly my second family!”

Podcasting about mental health

Besides dedicating her time to smashing mental health stigmas with the two organisations, she also uses her social media platforms to continue the important conversations she is having. In her spare time, she has also started a podcast about mental health. The ‘Alitlegail Asks’ podcast was born when she was on Erasmus in Spain. Listening to sustainable fashion and climate change activist Molly Parsons on her podcast inspired her and she fell in love with the idea of podcasting. With her passion for mental health advocacy, she decided to create something that people would enjoy listening to while also learning and becoming more aware of mental health. For her, the podcast acts as a sort of therapy. It gave her the opportunity to articulate her thoughts out loud and work out the logic behind some of her thinking and behaviour. ”If it helps some people along the way then that’s a bonus” she says.

Continuing her work

When it comes to passions and goals in life, she has no doubt that her love of volunteering work will continue after graduating from college. She would love to become a motivational speaker, saying “I believe I have things to say that are important and that could help someone.” Continuing to try to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues it is close to her heart and she will continue to raise awareness about mental health in a professional role or just through her podcasting.

This week, SpunOut.ie are running our Mind Yourself campaign. The campaign aims to help you find practical ways to look after your own mental health each and every day and build positive mental health.

Whether it’s self care, positive thinking, making new friends, or speaking to the people around you about your mental health, these articles are here to help you look after yourself as best you can.

Do you know much about positive mental health? Test your knowledge and take our Positive Mental Health quiz.

Find a list of articles and opinion pieces to help you build your own positive mental health below:

Growing your self belief

Connecting with other people

Looking after yourself

Positive mental health advice from our volunteers

Beyond limits: Empowering young people with disabilities is an event for young people with disabilities and their parents, siblings, carers and friends. There will be talks, exhibitors and platforms to discuss the opportunities and issues young people with disabilities may face.

The event was launched in August by Julian Benson of Dancing with the Stars, who will be presenting the event, along with Disability Rights Activist Joanne O’Riordan and Paralympic Gold Medalist Michael McKillop who are speakers and event ambassadors.

What’s happening at Beyond Limits?

The event will be opened by President Michael D Higgins. Julian Benson will be presenting the event along with Jason Hopkins (19) and Karen O’Mahony (18) representing Gaisce.

It will include:

When is it on?

The event will take place at Croke Park on Saturday 19th October.

Where to get tickets

Tickets to the event are available at beyondlimits.ie.

How to get there

Dublin Bus, Luas and DART will be providing free transport to all of those attending the event within the Dublin area.

Rail: The closest train station is Drumcondra train station which is 550 m from the stadium and the closest DART station is Connolly which is 1.3 km away.

Luas: Croke Park is 1.3 km from Connolly Red Line Luas stop and 1 km from both Parnell and Marlborough Green Line Luas stops.

Bus: The following Dublin Bus routes pass close to Croke Park: 1, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 27a, 27b, 29a, 31/a, 31b, 32, 33, 40, 40b, 40d, 41, 41b, 41c, 42, 43, 44, 53, 123, 122, 13.

Who is it organised by?

Beyond Limits is organised by the Ombudsman for Children’s office and supported by 2FM. Organisations involved in Beyond Limits include Special Olympics Ireland, Gaisce, The Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, Arts and Disability Ireland, Young Carers Ireland, The National Youth Orchestra, The GAA, Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland, The National Parent’s Council, The School of Inclusive and Special Education in Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin School of Education, Zeminar, The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Ernst and Young, Silicon Republic and UrAbility.

This October, SpunOut.ie content contributor and Action Panel member Caitlin Grant will be running the Dublin City Marathon in aid of SpunOut.ie.

Donate to Caitlin’s marathon fundraising here.

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