Patrick Sweeney Opening Speech

Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming here tonight.
I have been told it is good to start these things on a positive note. I see a lot of Jucks in the audience here so if you guys would like to stand up for a second.

Now if everybody else would like to give them a big round of applause because without them this would not have been possible.

Jucks is a colloquial word meaning men, I wanted to use a term that we could all relate to and localise the concept of the project. I started taking portraits of men in Lettekenny to help raise awareness to Men's Health back in January of this year. A total of 365 to represent the days in a year as Men's physical, mental and emotional health is an issue everyday not just on days when we have events like this.

If you wish to purchase a portrait there are envelopes on your seats with a list of Jucks and their number, fill out all sections on the envelope to make sure your order is processed correctly. The envelopes will be available from the receiption here in the RCC for the full month of November.

All money raised will be given to the Pieta House here in Letterkenny a much needed facility here in the town. I will leave you in the hands of the professionals to talk about the services they provide here in Letterkenny, starting with a presentation from Dominick Gallagher from The Pieta House.

Jonathan Foley Speech from the Opening Night of The Jucks Exhibition

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and a quick word of thanks to Patrick Sweeney for inviting me along to this splendid event at the RCC; all of which is for a worthy and great cause so thanks Paddy.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jonathan Foley. A born and raised ‘Juck’ from Gortlee here in Letterkenny; a local teacher at St Eunan’s College and freelance journalist with The Letterkenny Leader

When Mr Sweeney asked me to come along to speak at this event, he asked me to take the angle on focusing on the main Causes of mental health issues, I agreed, but instead of just copying and pasting a Wikipedia page from the internet, I took a bit of time to see how these causes affect, in particular, how they affect this part of the world.

So in a nutshell, without being too specific, we’re gonna look at how these causes have had such a hold on the people of Donegal and its surrounding areas in the modern era.

Before we get to that, let’s have a look about what the academics - people who are much more qualified than me to talk about Mental Health - what the academics had to say.

While there are many, many forms mental health issues can arise, the powers that be, seem to be in agreement that there are six common strands that manifest mental health issues, especially amongst men. Six.

These are: PHYSICAL ISSUES, BIOLOGY, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, SOCIO-ECONOMIC, PRACTICALITY OF SUPPORT.

Now I’m only up here for a few minutes so realistically I won’t go too much in-depth with each of these, but what the research told me is that these subsections very often work in a spiral, or domino, effect. One will lead into another and so on.

Now how do these affect the people of Donegal?

Emigration, recession, unemployment, geographical remoteness, drugs, alcohol etc.

These are all having a profound and hugely negative effect on people here in the northwest.

Depression, anxiety attacks have risen. Male suicide rates have gone up, as has substance abuse amongst young people has resurfaced and has now exceeded what it was during the late 1990s

… and the saddest truth about that is … it hasn’t shown any signs of decreasing these last few years and … unless something is done effect of immediately … it’s unlikely that it will slow down.

Looking around this room, recent conversations with friends and on personal reflection of myself, I believe from their experiences (and my own) that these statistics are all too true. I’m fairly confident a lot of people in this very room will agree with them too.

As I said, the biggest concern is not that mental health issues exist, it’s more so the fact that they are strongly strongly expected to continue and rise once more.

At a recent educational seminar in Letterkenny, the focus was on Wellbeing amongst young people and at the end of the meeting, the organizers waited until the end of the day to hit us with the fact that the biggest concern amongst people’s social, physical and emotional well-being lies within the age category for people who are aged between just 15 and 24.

Shocked that these were the ones the experts feared for most. You’d think, if anything, they’d be the most fun filled and exciting times of your life, but for a variety of factors, they are the age group who are feared for the most.

Possibly because of educational pressures, social media and it’s negative aspects, the access to substance and narcotics; there’s no one answer but it’s a very worrying factor.

Now, thankfully, every tunnel has a light at the end of it.

I, for one, believe that a greater education and awareness of mental health and wellbeing has to be addressed in schools, workplaces and even social groups like friends or family; that in turn, can foster a greater sense of community spirit, positive participation in things, that will then create a more individual sense of growth, confidence and better all round mental health.

PIETA House is a wonderful organization and it was great to see them open their doors up here in Donegal.

But they obviously felt there was a need for them to be here!

As comforting as it is to have them on our doorstep should we, or anyone else in our community need them, but in a way, they’re a bit like car insurance. Good to have but deep down you hope you never have to use them unless absolutely necessary and you’ve nowhere else to turn.

We will never stop men’s mental health issues, but maybe now can at least take them on and battle them a bit better.

Here’s hoping that with as problems rise, we can rise against them. As men, as friends, as community. As Jucks! Because that’s what Jucks do!

Enjoy your evening, thank you so much for listening.

Speech from Eileen Mc Loone - Integrative psychotherapist

Having good mental health and wellbeing - an individual realises his/her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses. Good mental health is as important as good physical health and ensures that a person leads a fulfilled and active life, whilst maintaining a positive and balanced outlook. Important factors which contribute to our health and wellbeing are having a balanced lifestyle, involving good nutrition, regular exercise and social activity. Support from family and friends and the community are also very important. 
Most of us however will experience poor mental health at some point in our lives and feel that we can't cope. It's important to know that this is ok; it's not a sign of weakness or losing our minds. It's simply that we may need a bit of extra help. Inevitably we can withdraw from people. Individuals can spend a lot of time/energy hiding it from people cause maybe if they said out loud what they really feel; they think it would scare you. I say tonight; stop using your energy to cover it up, use it to heal. A client once said to me, "it feels like fog in my brain- nothing makes sense, everything is negative". 
Through psychotherapy- when you verbalise those thoughts, it gets it out of your head and gives you an understanding of how your thoughts impact your emotions/behaviour. Coming to therapy is a safe and supportive environment for you to say your worst fears, thoughts and feelings without judgement. In therapy, the person can see the reality of their situation as opposed to their distorted perspective. Therapy enables clients to discover who they are, feel empowered and be the best version of themselves.
If you are someone here tonight who is experiencing changes in mood, anxiety, sleep disturbance, crying more frequently/or inability to cry, or just not feeling happy in yourself, please take that first step and talk to a friend, family,GP or someone you trust. If you are someone here tonight who has lost contact with someone or notice a change in someone, ask them how they really are, it can help them to take that step forward to open up and talk. 
When we present ourselves to the world without a mask and keep it real, we offer the same opportunity for others to do the same. We all have a role to play in removing the stigma of seeking help- let us together change the attitude to seeking help for our overall wellbeing.

For those couldn't make the opening night of the Jucks Exhibition here is Gary Gardiners Speech.

Hi everyone, My name is gary gardiner and i'm honoured to have been asked to come here and say a few words this evening for this great exhibition for a fantastic cause. 
I am an advanced paramedic and have worked with the ambulance service for over 15 years, in which time i've experienced a wide variety of people struggling with mental health difficulties. Unfortunately in this country as we all know, many families have been left to pick up the pieces of a fractured system which does not adequately cater for mental health issues. 
From my point of view, if I attend to a patient with a trauma related injury, its quite easy to diagnose and treat their issues, If bleeding, stop the bleeding, if fracture, immobilise, etc, If its a medical problem, I can also diagnose and treat a variety of conditions which is causing the patient to be in the back of an ambulance. But when it comes to mental health, its just not so easy to get to the core issues, or even solve them. Alot of the time its more about listening and observing what is going on, what the person is telling me, how they are coming across. I would then naturally try to offer reassurance, make the person focus on some small positive which they can cling onto in their time of need. 
this takes no equipment, no special skill set, no advanced training. 
this is something we can all do for our fellow 'juck' in a time of need.

We all need coping mechanisms to deal with life's pressures and stresses, how each of us does this takes different forms. In order for me to cope with the sights and situations I come in contact with, I do alot of physical activity. I always have done, it was just something that was in me to do., running, cycling, hiking, surfing, kayaking, anything to get me outdoors and unplugged from what's going on. I find its a great way to empty my head. If I have alot on at either home or work I find just a wee hour away doing any physical activity give me such clarity. We are such a privileged lot to have what we have on our doorstep, Muckish, errigal, glenveagh, beaches, forests, lakes, its all here and its all free for us to enjoy. the toughest step we will take is that first step. But if you can imagine a windy wet aul day, like most that we are likely to have over the coming months. get wrapped up, decent warm waterproof clothes, get outside, walk, run, bike, whatever it is that get you outside and active. The good feeling that you will have after, earning that meal, really making the most of the big cosy fire afterwards, having the feeling that you made the most that you could have out of the day, that really gives a sense of mental clarity that doesn't cost a penny. We must try to see the positive in any small thing that we can.

on a small note, not so long ago my family were having dinner, I offered my 5 year old son a top up of water, he said to me, he was ok for water, his glass was half full.

we as adults must see the positive, be the positive, 
see the glass as half full.

Speech by Cllr Gerry McMonagle at opening of The Jucks Collection 6 November 2018

Ladies and gentlemen, invited guests I am delighted to be here this evening to speak at the opening of this exhibition – The Jucks Collection - in the Regional Cultural Centre.

This is a very special exhibition. For me it is much more than a showcase of an artists creative endeavours, it is a collection of photographs that tells a story. It is the story of our own people, our own community, of men living in our community.

There is something special about a black and white photograph. It strips out all the colour, all the distractions and presents the subject matter in plain sight. The impact is striking and I would like to congratulate Patrick Sweeney on this wonderful achievement.

This exhibition gives us the opportunity to talk about Men’s Health – a topic that many men don’t talk about very often. And by men’s health I don’t just mean physical health but also mental and emotional health.

The increase in the number of Men’s projects such as Men’s Sheds, Men’s Choirs and other community based projects have had a profound effect on the physical and mental health of many of the men participating and this is something to be welcomed and encouraged.

Men have become more willing to talk about their health and in particular their mental wellbeing and this is a very positive step forward and something that should be encouraged and facilitated.

We in Donegal County Council are acutely aware of the need to keep Mental Health and Wellbeing at the top of the agenda. By working with other agencies including the HSE, local development organisations and community projects we have been successful in delivering a number of very worthwhile initiatives over the last number of years including the annual Connecting for Life conference, Ceol le Cheile Intergenerational Choir, Men’s Shed Showcase event, outdoor gym in Letterkenny Town Park, social prescription initiative through our libraries and exhibitions such as this in the Regional Cultural Centre. Local government is the arm of government closest to communities on this island and as such we are ideally placed to support, facilitate and deliver initiatives that promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

I would like to acknowledge the work that is done by Pieta House and similar organisations and I am especially delighted to see Pieta House in Letterkenny. I have no doubt that the work that this organisation does saves lives.

I would like to finish up with one simple message, if you are struggling or if you are feeling down, reach out to someone, to anyone. It might be Pieta House, the Samaritans or a family member or friend but no matter who, reach out, and remember ‘it is okay not to be okay’.

I’ve been asked by Patrick if I could pass on my speech at the Jucks opening night about my experience of depression and mental health issues. As I was speaking just from a few points I had written down, here is what I hoped to have covered

Most people will know me as a happy-go-lucky fella, likes a pint, likes his music and good humored. It’s true that I am blessed with a loving wife and family, a grand wee house, two dogs and happy in my work. ‘What in God’s name have you to be depressed about?’ you may think, and the truth is that depression is not like that. It can, and does, strike at any time, be that in the middle of a joyous occasion or during the routine of everyday life. Most of the time my mind is like a radio stuck between stations, a blur of interference and over thinking.
I have experienced ‘the black dog’ of depression since childhood, including suicidal thoughts from time to time. Sometimes this was easy to explain, such as being out of work or having relationship difficulties. My first experience of actually seeking help was during my third year at LYIT, during which the pressure of completing assignments and keeping up had left me almost impossible to be around. My wife Paula, who was due to visit her family in the UK with our kids, took me to one side and told me a few home truths about appreciating what we had and the need for me to seek help whilst she was away. My initial thoughts were ‘What’s it got to do with you? It’s my problem and I’ll deal with it!’ Of course, when I thought about it, it was obviously having a detrimental effect on our family life, I was so self absorbed that I needed to have it pointed out to me. I went to my GP who was very supportive. He said that sometimes our pendulum stops swinging and we get stuck at the bottom, and with the help of appropriate medication he would see and get me ‘back at myself’ again. Six months of Prozac followed and as the college pressure dropped I felt able to stop taking them. I have since returned to taking a low dose of Prozac as I’ve found that it levels things out for me and I can cope better when things go a bit awry.
Fast forward 10 years to the loss of my brother Dave by suicide, a devastating loss for us all. In the months that followed the grief took hold and I struggled to deal with my sense of responsibility for that loss, and my own despair and thoughts of suicide. I was suicidal but I didn’t want to die, I was living in fear that I might be overcome by a momentary lapse of reason that would result in my death. Thankfully, Console, through their counsellor Noel O’Driscoll, supported me and gave me the skills I needed to help me cope with the aftermath of Dave’s suicide and the maelstrom going on in my head as a result of that. Subsequently, Noel referred me to Park View House where I received counselling for about 6 months, once a week initially, then once a fortnight. It was truly amazing. I can only liken it to having someone take everything bothering you out and lay it out in front of you, enabling you to deal with each thing separately, then put them back knowing that you can visit them again if need be. Counselling is a peculiar thing and very personal, the counsellor that I connect with may be of no use to you; it’s about connecting, so you may need to visit more than one, but persevere because it’s worth it.
There were a number of things that kept me from seeking help sooner.
• How can I speak to a doctor/counsellor if I don’t know what’s wrong?
o It’s a reasonable supposition, but the reality is that the very act of speaking about your struggles is an acknowledgement that they exist and you need help, in whatever form that may come.
• Am I a failure?
o No, many of us are fighting a battle that our friends are unaware of and if you were to ask them they’d be there like a shot to help.
• Inability, lack of energy and apathy
o Sometimes it takes all the energy and motivation you have just to exist in the moment; that struggle is real and it’s why we need to speak to each other about such things. You are not alone in trying to deal with these things.
• What will people think?
o In the pits of despair we think people will regard us as weak but in truth, they will regard us as courageous in seeking help.
What works for me?
• Talking
o To friends, family, your GP, counsellor, anyone kind enough to offer a listening ear.
• Having someone I love who loves me
o I’m very lucky
• Fresh air and dogs
o The benefits of getting out in the park, to the beach, or down a country lane cannot be overstated, no matter how low you feel, you will definitely feel better after some fresh air and a walk. And dogs are always delighted to see their owner, our two bring us huge amounts of joy
• Grounding
o It sounds like hippy bullshit, or so I thought until Noel taught me the meaning of connecting to the earth and concentrating only on ones’ breathing and physical connection to the soil through ones’ feet and body. Try it.

I’d like to say a few words about the importance of building resilience into our young people. I believe that difficulties start with our kids not being allowed to run in the playground, climb trees, walk along the top of walls and so on. How are they supposed to learn about risk and responsibility if they’re not allowed to do such things? The insurance industry may be to blame, but maybe more so is our own tendency to want to have someone to blame or indeed sue in the event of a mishap. We should encourage our young people to get out, climb trees, build go-carts and dens, and develop their own sense of self reliance. It’s by doing such things that I believe we will gradually enable them to deal with whatever life brings.
So please talk. To your family, your friend, ME! We can compare notes on each others’ mucked up heads
John Muldowney