General
- Monday May 9th, 2016 @ 15:47
St Pat's Are Supporting The Green Ribbon Campaign
St Patrick's Athletic F.C. club captain Ger O'Brien and goalkeeper Brendan Clarke have taken time out of their busy schedules to help promote the Green Ribbon Campaign to get people talking openly about mental health problems in May 2016.
The aim is to make the month of May every year synonymous with promoting open conversation of mental health and to challenge the stigma of mental health problems.
You don't need to be an expert or have all the answers to start talking about mental health. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know that you are there for them and to simply listen.
We are looking for the club, volunteers and members of the local community to work together to change attitudes and behaviours to mental health problems and to help end the stigma around it.
The silence around mental health can stop people from reaching out or seeking help. Often the fact that it's difficult to talk about mental health problems can be one of the hardest parts of having a mental illness. It can lead to the loss of friendships, feeling isolated and slower recovery.
It doesn't have to be this way. Every one of us can do simple things to play our part in breaking the silence of stigma.
Start your conversation
Experiencing a mental health problem is part and parcel of the ups and downs of life and can happen to any of us but the silence around mental health stops people seeking help and makes the experience of being unwell much harder. It doesn't have to be this way.
The chances are that you, or someone you know, will go through a tough time at some point so why not talk about it and learn how to support each other?
You don't need to be an expert or have all the answers to start talking about mental health. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know that you are there for them and to simply listen.
Although you can't solve someone else's problems, knowing the basics about how to support someone can really help you - and them.
What do I say?
Take your lead from the person themselves and ask how you can help. If you think that someone might be experiencing a difficulty, make it clear that you've noticed that they don't seem like their usual self and suggest that if they ever want to talk that you'll be there. If you know someone has been unwell, don't be afraid to ask how they are. They might want to talk about it, they might not. But just letting them know they don't have to avoid the issue with you is important.
Take the pressure off yourself by not trying to rush to find solutions or comparisons. We often fall into the trap of jumping straight in with something positive or wanting everything to be 'okay' but what the other person really needs is to be listened to. It's okay not to have answers and to say that you don't.
It doesn't always have to be a big conversation about mental health. There are lots of small ways of showing support - just be yourself and listen. Send a text or just ask someone how they're doing - and mean it. Little things can make a big difference.
Try to avoid cliches. Phrases like 'Cheer up', 'I'm sure it'll pass' and 'Pull yourself together' definitely won't help the conversation! Being open minded, non-judgemental and listening will.
