The Barbican Centre, Drogheda, will host a FREE mental health talk, “Let’s Talk about Mental Health for Men”, on Monday, November 20th, at 7.30 pm.
Mental health is as essential to a person’s life as physical health. Hesitation to talk about mental health adds to the notion that the topic is taboo. It is essential to normalise conversations surrounding mental health so people can feel empowered to seek the help they need.
Barbican Manager Cllr. Declan Power, who is organising the event, said, “This is a unique event where our speakers give their experiences on their mental health and the tools to cope. The event is organised the day after International Men’s Day, and we hope to help reduce the stigma and taboo around mental health, particularly Men’s Mental Health.
We are asking every sporting, School and community organisations to come along and listen. There is no doubt there is something for everyone. We all hit a bump in the road at some stage in our lives, and what matters is how we get over that bump.
There is plenty of support available, and we’d like to share some of it. Nobody should feel alone or isolated. Though the focus is on men’s mental health, from young men to men young at heart, everybody is welcome, including the ladies in our lives.
I cannot emphasise how important it is to have that support, whether you’re a mother, wife, girlfriend, sister, etc., that network of support is wonderful to have,” concluded Cllr. Power.
Guest Speakers:
Rory O’ Connor – Rory is an author and a comedian best known for his hilarious short videos on various social media platforms with millions of followers. He is also a mental health advocate and is passionate about sharing his story and helping others to overcome their mental health issues.
Eric Donovan – Eric Donovan is an Irish featherweight professional boxing champion, former multiple Irish amateur boxing champion and double European bronze medallist. He retired at the end of 2022, having become the European super featherweight champion.
Eric struggled for many years with alcohol and drug addiction before turning a corner and battling his demons. Currently studying to be an addiction Counsellor, he is an advocate for mental health and a true example that with help, support and persistence, anything is possible.
George Mc Mahon – George Mc Mahon is no stranger to our TV screens and is known for his role as Jamie Custer in Custer’s Last Stand-up and as Mondo O’Connell in the RTE soap Fair City. George’s career began at 14 when he joined the Independent Theatre Workshop and the Helen Jordan Stage School. He won the reality television show Celebrity Farm in 2003. He donated the €50,000 prize fund to three charities of his choice, which were The Bubblegum Club, the Children’s Cancer Fund of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, and the community-based voluntary organisation St. Michael’s House, which cares for children and adults with learning disabilities.
This free event is supported by the Feel Good Project, funded by the HSE National Lottery Grant 2023 and Louth Local Development. While attendees will be welcome at the door, to guarantee a seat it is advisable to register at www.ticketstop.ie
