A NORTHSIDE teen was one of only three students to be shortlisted for the prestigious Red Cross Humanitarian Awards for 2018.
Jessie Clohisey (19), from Clontarf, was shortlisted in the Student Initiative category. Students from Tullamore College were announced as overall winners of the category.
The award recognised the extraordinary contribution of a student in full or part-time education who dedicates their extracurricular hours to being a visionary young leader for humanitarian causes.
Jessie was just 16 when she founded Sail Against Suicide, an awareness event held at Clontarf Sailing Club every year.
The objective is to gather together people from all four corners of Ireland to participate in a community based sail while simultaneously promoting an important message about mental health.
Jessie, a second year Marketing student at DIT, said: “Sail Against Suicide introduces people to the sport of sailing offering them the surroundings to put aside any problems that they may be having and it exposes them to the huge sense of camaraderie that the sport offers.”
Now in its fifth year, Sail Against Suicide plays a key role in raising awareness of mental health and signposting those in need to relevant agencies that offer help.
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and local TD, Richard Bruton, said Jessie has seized the initiative on one of the greatest challenges facing her generation.
“She has given people the confidence to talk about depression openly and to reach out to peers who might be struggling,” said Minister Bruton.
“She also challenges all of us to think what we can do to help tackle the problem of suicide. Her boundless good humour and encouragement has brought a whole community together, through her great initiative Sail Against Suicide.”
Jim Breen, founder of Cycle Against Suicide, nominated Jessie for the award.
“Jessie has demonstrated outstanding innovation, commitment and leadership in making the Sail Against Suicide a highly successful awareness initiative,” said Mr Breen.
“She has made a significant contribution to the area of mental health and suicide prevention and her actions have inspired others.”
Also, at the event, which took place in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, last Saturday week (November 24), Alice Leahy was named Irish Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year. Ms Leahy is director and co-founder of the Alice Leahy Trust, a befriending, social and health service for people who are homeless.
After presenting Alice with her award, Pat Carey, chairman of the Irish Red Cross, said: “Alice Leahy has dedicated a lifetime to helping society’s most disadvantaged people.
“She has developed an unrivalled understanding of the needs of those on the margins of society and during every day of her working life she has implemented practical measures to help combat social exclusion.”