GOING THE DISTANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
MOST of us use Lent as an opportunity to shed those familiar vices. Sweets, biscuits, even social media will be getting the heave-ho in homes around the country. However, in the Redmond household in Cluain Dara, a more pro-active approach is being taken as father and daughter team Neil and Emma look to see what they CAN do, rather than what they WON’T do, between now and Easter Sunday.
With lockdown taking its toll on everyone’s mental health, Neil and Emma came up with the idea of walking 250km each in aid of three great mental health causes - The Ford Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre, It’s Good 2 Talk and MarineWatch.
‘I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety myself for a number of years,’ Neil says frankly. ‘That’s why I wanted to do something. I’ve benefitted myself from counselling from the Ford Centre and It’s Good 2 Talk and I’m a volunteer with MarineWatch.’
Having battled through depression and anxiety himself, Neil realises just how difficult the pandemic can be on people’s mental health.
‘When we went back into lockdown, I remember thinking, how will people cope.’ he said. ‘At times I’ve struggled with it myself. It’s affecting people who have never struggled with their mental health before. I just decided that I wasn’t going to let it get me down and I was going to try to do something positive.’
Having done a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society last year, this time Neil opted to work with mental health charities that are sorely needed. His 14 year-old daughter Emma, a second year student in The Presentation, was extremely supportive and volunteered to take the challenge too and as a result, both have comitted to clocking up 250km between now and Easter Sunday.
‘I decided that I’d do the miles with a 10kg weighted vest on,’ Neil added. ‘The weight is to symbolise the weight that people suffering with their mental health carry around every day.’
Having started on Wednesday, the pair have had a fantastic response and have already surpassed their €1,500 target. They are still taking donations for this great cause via their GoFundMe page, which you’ll find by searching for First Step for Mental Health.