Headspace event is a knock-out success!
WHILE many tuned in to see Tyson Fury at the weekend, the Fight Against Suicide took place at Gorey Boxing Club which saw a huge number of people give up their Saturday to unite alongside those battling depression by battling punching bags, and as a result over €2,500 was raised for the local Talk To Tom counselling services.
The event brought people together in their hundreds but it was also a key moment for launching the charity’s new Youth Website, headspacegorey.ie, which is aimed at connecting young people aged 12 and upwards with services in their area.
A spokesperson for Talk To Tom said that as a result of the event, six young people currently suffering with their mental health were put directly in touch with services.
Talk To Tom CEO Ray Cullen said these interactions alone made the event a huge success.
‘Our aim was to raise awareness but we never imagined to have so many people walk through the doors over the 24 hour period who were either looking for help for themselves or for a friend or loved one.
‘Aside from the six people seeking immediate help we also offered help and advice to an additional 20 people who were worried about someone they cared about. We received more than 80 phone calls, and social media messages seeking help and advice over the weekend’.
Hosted by boxer Niall ‘Boom Boom’ Kennedy, who has spoken openly about having bipolar disorder, other big names who made an appearance at the event included Wexford GAA’s Conor McDonald, who gave a speech warning those in attendance of the dangers social media can pose.
Wexford GAA’s Anthony Masterson also delivered a brave, honest and emotional talk to the young people in attendance, highlighting some of the past issues he has faced with gambling addiction.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert Richie Ivory encouraged the crowd to follow the Headspace message of ‘Fill Your Mind With
Things You Love,’ to improve your physical and emotional well being.
Other speakers and workshops included Declan Gilmore of NN Sport Nutrition, Caoimhe Molloy of Leinster rugby, Eoin and Gary Molloy, Vicki Leigh’s yoga , a drumming workshop with Aris, an art workshop with Dympna Nolan as well as a guitar and ukulele workshop and much more.
Organiser of the event Niall Kennedy also provided a strength and conditioning workshop, speaking afterwards he said he was delighted that people felt comfortable enough to come in and ask for help.
‘I can’t thank our speakers enough for giving up their time to help us and Talk To
Tom, I have seen first hand now the work that they do for the people of Gorey.
‘In the past I have referred my friends to them and they were all treated with great kindness. Some of them were struggling to deal with the loss of another good friend Colin ‘Jango’ Fleming.
‘ Talk To Tom deserve our support as a local organisation, and I fully believe that this new initiative, that I am proud to be involved with will save lives’.
Talk To Tom chairperson Trudi Sinnott thanked both Gorey Boxing Club and Gorey Community School for their help and support with the new Headspace programme.