ARTISTS AND human rights activists gathered in Dublin yesterday to highlight an event aimed at tackling prejudice against those with mental health problems.
First Fortnight, an arts-based mental health awareness project combining music, art and discussion, takes place at the Button Factory in Dublin next Saturday, January 15th. The event is now in its second year.
A discussion panel will explore attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental health problems in Ireland today. It will be followed later by a music gig.
The panel includes author Colm Tóibín, former GAA star and journalist Liam Hayes, and Dr Siobhán Barry of the College of Psychiatry of Ireland.
Executive director of Amnesty International, Colm O’Gorman, said: “We know that the new year can be a particularly difficult and lonely time, so having an event like this in the calendar is great timing. It gives us an opportunity to come together and fight mental health prejudice and discrimination.”
Founder of First Fortnight, JP Swaine, said the onus was on everyone to improve attitudes and beliefs about mental health problems. “Many of us like to imagine ourselves as invincible, but when we are honest with ourselves we know we are all at times a little vulnerable.
“In those times we would like to be understood, tolerated and respected, rather than judged and discriminated against. First Fortnight exists to give us a reason to think about these issues.”
The First Forthnight afternoon discussion next Saturday is free of charge and will start at 1.30pm. Doors for the evening gig open at 7.30pm. Tickets, at €10, are available at website firstfortnight.com