Northsiders to walk in hope

A GROUP of Northside mums are inviting residents in Finglas and Ballymun to join them in the early hours of Sunday morning (May 14) for a ‘Walk of Hope’ to highlight mental health issues.

It’s the third annual event during which walkers begin their journey in the darkness, and as they continue walking side by side, the sky gradually gets brighter.

This year there are two events – in Tolka Valley Park, Finglas, and Poppintree Park, Ballymun – and locals are asked to gather at either venue at 3.30am.

Mental health activist and campaigner, Anne Ellis from Finglas, is one of the women behind the event.

“Our vision is to get people openly speaking about mental health but it’s also a remembrance walk with the families who have lost their loved ones too soon to suicide,” she said.

“We as a community want to let families know we will never forget them and they are not alone, and we also want to let those living with mental health issues know that we embrace them into their community.”

The mums involved in organising the walk fundraise every year by bag packing at Dunnes Stores in Finglas in the week before the event.

The money is used to support Mental Health Reform, which is calling on the Government to introduce 24/7 access to mental health services.

“We want to promote positive mental health in our communities and show people the amazing community spirit in our areas that sometimes get such negative publicity,” added Anne.

Meanwhile, Dublin North West TD, Dessie Ellis (SF), said the recent Fianna Fáil mental health amendment bill had positive aspects, but didn’t go far enough.

“A strong, rights-based approach should be front and centre of any legislation,” he said.

“This motion is welcome as it is a positive improvement on current legislation.

“However, it fails to establish a strong, rights-based approach which should meet the standard set by the convention on the rights of people with a disability, which this house must ratify without delay.”

“The work being done on mental health by voluntary groups and individuals is saving this country money and more importantly lives.

“I commend all those who give time, energy, and commitment but at the moment there is a huge deficit in our system as at weekends or after hours on a weekday, services are not available.”

A survey published last week by national stigma reduction group See Change, has found 46 per cent of Irish people under 35 say they would conceal a mental health difficulty from family, friends or colleagues and 16 per cent would delay seeking help because of stigma.