SpunOut.ie Blog
October, 2006
Woohoo! SpunOut.ie wins major award
Thanks to all our friends, funders, supporters and volunteers!
Well, it’s official- SpunOut.ie rocks! The website recently received the top award in the Health Services Innovation Awards - Technology and Communications category.
HSE produced SpunOut.ie promo video featuring Youth Editors Tara McGarrigle and Paddy Duffy, staff members Ruairi, Anna and Keith and Steering Group chair Anne Sheridan - now live at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqlHi2poRKM
The award was presented by Minister for Health Mary Harney at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on Wednesday October 11th. The annual awards scheme, which receives over 200 applications from throughout Ireland, recognises models of innovation and excellence in the health sector, and celebrates the quality systems and outstanding people behind them.
Why SpunOut.ie rocks:
Supporting young people
Since its launch 18 months ago, SpunOut.ie has been reaching tens of thousands of young people each month. SpunOut.ie provides a youth-friendly, accessible and quality one-stop source of information, support and help. It also gives young people a voice through quality youth media and advocacy. Topics covered include challenging issues such as sex, drugs, relationships, eating disorders, mental health and suicide as well as music, culture, the environment, education and work and much more. There's also a vibrant moderated community of discussion board users who you can get talking to now!
Giving young people a voice
To date, SpunOut.ie has directly involved hundreds of young people from throughout Ireland in having their voices heard by giving them decision making opportunities as well as a channel to publish their news, views, photos, art, audio and video in a safe and popular environment. Many SpunOutters have gone on to present at national conferences, feature on national TV and radio, write for newspapers and magazines, and represent youth issues to decision makers in the health, social and political arenas.
Only last Tuesday, October 10th, which was World Mental Health Day, SpunOut.ie Youth Editor Ian Howley reached over 1/2 million people from all walks of life when he spoke on 11 radio stations across Ireland. Ian spoke bravely about his experience of being gay, his 3 suicide attempts, and his journey to acceptance and now advocacy on behalf of others in the same position.
Partnership power!
SpunOut.ie is a true partnership effort between young people, the HSE, and youth and health agencies including representatives of Foroige and Youth Work Ireland. SpunOut.ie is used widely by teachers, lecturers, youth workers, parents and health professionals in their day to day work as it acts as an accessible, relevant and Irish based support for their work. SpunOut.ie is also currently forging partnerships with media outlets including the Donegal Democrat, who publish a weekly SpunOut.ie 'Youth Media Zone', as well as agencies including the new National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Super staff
SpunOut.ie is developed and managed by a dedicated and talented young staff team who operate within the 'Community Creations' youth health charity. They work directly with a Steering Group of representatives from the HSE and related youth and health agencies. These staff, who include a Coordinator, Online Editor and Promotional Officer, are based at offices in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal and work hard to ensure the website is updated daily, well managed and promoted widely. The staff also coordinate the growing network of nationwide partners, advisors and volunteers. Recently, project Coordinator Ruairi McKiernan was presented with a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award by Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis for his efforts.
Making a difference
The successful impact that SpunOut.ie is having is clear. The website has been evaluated by The Centre for Health Promotion Studies at NUIG Galway and testimonies from young people, parents, teachers, youth workers and health professionals all indicate that SpunOut.ie is succeeding in making a huge difference to people's lives.
An exciting future >>>> The sky's the limit!!!! <<<<<
The future is bright for SpunOut.ie. Plans are underway for a new office, a site revamp, a nationwide promotional campaign and an online multi-media centre. The recipe of passion, partnership, youth participation and creativity combined with the hard work, vision and dedication of staff, supporters and volunteers means the sky is the limit for this exciting venture. Plans are also underway for a new HQ in Galway City.
Financial status
From the project's birth as a feasibility study in 2003, to its current status as a leader in online youth health, SpunOut.ie has struggled for funding. Without the goodwill, enthusiasm, hard work and self-belief of staff, volunteers and supporters, SpunOut.ie would not be here today. At times staff have gone without wages and continue to struggle to pay office and project costs on a month to month basis.
In order to survive, the SpunOut.ie team have taken on consultancy work, from web design to media training, as a way of supplementing grants and donations from various HSE Departments, including Health Promotion and the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Funding has also been received from agencies including ESB Electric Aid, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, the Dept. of Social and Family Affairs, Donegal Local Development Company and the Comunity Foundation for Ireland.
As it grows and develops, SpunOut.ie will attract sustainable funding and sponsorship from a range of sources. However, in order to realise the unlimited potential presented by SpunOut.ie as a force for change, the service urgently needs funding NOW to secure both its short-term and long-term future.
Get Involved
SpunOut.ie is a winning formula for impact and change. If you’re passionate about SpunOut.ie and want to get involved then we want to hear from you!
- Who can get involved:
All young people aged between 16 and 25. - What does involvement mean?
SpunOut.ie is youth led media, which means that young people direct the development of the website and create their own media.
Young people are involved on our youth editorial board, as designers and programmers, and as part of a growing panel of writers, photographers, artists, moderators, film makers and promoters.
Getting involved can mean telling us what you think of SpunOut.ie, writing, sending in artwork or photographs, interviewing people, taking part in SpunOut.ie competitions, having your say on the discussion boards, promoting the website and much more. Your level of involvement is up to you- there’s no pressure or expectations!
Express your interest here!
Join a winning team
We're also keen to talk to potential funders, partners and sponsors who want to be part of this exciting revolution in youth-led health, info, media and advocacy. If you, or someone you know, are interested in finding out more please don't hesitate to contact us.
> Ruairi McKiernan, Co-Founder and Coordinator
086-8067415 / ruairi@spunout.ie
> Anne Sheridan, SpunOut.ie Steering Group Chair
HSE West Mental Health Promotion / Suicide Resource Officer
086-3404321 / anne.sheridan@mailb.hse.ie
Speaking out...and being heard!
SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Ian Howley tells his experience of talking to the media about sexuality and mental health.
On Tuesday 10/10/06, I (Ian Howley) released a press release
regarding mental health in Ireland. I talked about my past, what I went through and what I saw as the main factors that contributed to my issues. Those factors were society, religion and the media.
On Tuesday I spoke to eight radio stations followed by three more on Wednesday. I talked to radio stations such as Drogheda FM, SouthEast RadioFM, Midland Radio 3FM, Q102FM, TippFM, LimerickFM, Newstalk106FM and many, many more.
I talked briefly about who I am, my role within SpunOut.ie and the 3 factors which affected me.
Many radio stations were very supportive towards what I was trying to achieve and showed me great respect. I talked about how religion to this day still rejects homosexuality and how the media still only shows one side of the gay culture. I made my point about how there is diversity within the gay community and that it should be celebrated. The media should show the bigger picture, not just the most entertaining one.
I got fantastic feedback from one listener who sent in a supportive text message, which was read live on air. It was very touching and then I knew I was doing the right thing.
Other stations, such as Drogheda FM were not as supportive and challenged me on what I had to say about religion and the media. I was asked "Why don't I find a new religion if I'm not happy with this one?" But I made my point that religion is not like shoe shopping, you can't just go in and choose the one that fits the best.
I was also slammed for my opinion that the media does not show both sides of the gay community. I responded by asking the presenter to think of the first person who came into his head who was gay, to which he responded...Graham Norton… enough said. He had no interest in my story or what happened to me. He only wanted to acknowledge his own side of the story. But I was expecting both good and bad feedback, and I would like to thank him because it was his ignorance that made me even more determined to make a difference.
The reason I took on this challenge is because I want nobody to go through what I went through. I want to see a society where people don't even have to "come out", a society where people can just be themselves, a society where the gay community are not being stereotyped. A society where gay people embrace their sexuality instead of being ashamed of it.
This was an important opportunity for me because I’m getting the chance to show the bigger picture. With the positive feedback I received from various media, it indicates that attitudes are changing.
We here at SpunOut.ie are speaking out and finally being heard. Maybe the media needs to listen more and follow the example of SpunOut.ie, which is setting a marker in responsible and innovative media.
Due to the great response I received from both the media and the general public I now feel assured that I have been aiming in the right direction and I will continue until I achieve what needs to be achieved.
Ten years ago I first realised that I could have been gay, that led me to isolation, depression and despair. And I nearly lost my life. Today I am strong. I am confident and I am finally making a difference. If I can do it, so can you.
Be yourself and happiness will follow.
My name is Ian Howley, I am the person I was looking for.
By: Ian Howley
Further information and links:
Have you ever felt completely alone?
Youth Voice: It is time to realise the realities of homosexuality in this country.
Have you ever felt completely alone?
Have you ever wanted to die?
Have you ever been stereotyped? I have.
"My name is Ian Howley, I am twenty two years old and from Athlone. I am currently a student in Letterkenny I.T and I’m also a Youth Editor with the Spunout.ie National Youth Website. I got involved with SpunOut.ie, which provides information, support and opportunities to young people, to try and make a difference so that nobody has to go through what I went through.
Recently I appeared on one of RTE’s “Three 60” documentaries and spoke at a Console Conference, which led to a short interview on RTE’s 6.ONE news (see links below). All these events were focused around mental health in Ireland and it was at these various events I spoke about my past, including my three suicide attempts.
I was aged twelve when I first realised I could be gay. From that point on I isolated myself. I became depressed. I was alone.
I tried to kill myself three times; these attempts spanned from age thirteen to sixteen. My first two attempts were on the train track and with each attempt the train drew nearer. On my final attempt I took fifteen tablets.
Soon after my third attempt, I finally admitted to myself that I was gay. That was my first step to survival. It was the first day of my life.
Looking back now, there were three factors that contributed to my issues. Those factors were society, religion, and the media.
I felt let down by society because I felt like I didn’t belong. Society made me feel like I was scum. The church refuses to accept homosexuality, thus teaching us that it is wrong.
The media portrays gay people as being either “butch” or “camp”, a stereotype that is very damaging to young teenagers confused about their sexuality. This stereotype also misleads people to believe that all gay people are either camp screaming queens or butch women.
This depiction is far from accurate, after all there are approximately four million people in the Irish population, and figures show that one in ten people are gay. Hence there are approximately four hundred thousand gay people in Ireland. This is a high number of people to merely label the same.
Gay people are not “queer”; being gay is not weird or strange. Gay people are just as normal, or just as weird, as anyone else. A person should be defined by who they are, not what they are.
It is time to realise the realities of homosexuality in this country. It is time for the media to use its role in a more responsible way. It is time to show the bigger picture and not simply the most entertaining one.
Right now the bigger picture is that if the media shed a more realistic light on the gay community they may help a person embrace their sexuality, instead of that person feeling ashamed of their true sexuality just because of a stereotype.
I was once one of those people; I did not want to be gay. I did not want to associate myself with the “camp” lifestyle I had seen on television and in the papers. I hid my true self because of a stereotype and I nearly lost my life because of this.
But I am not stereotypical, I am a beer drinking, sports watching, poor spelling young guy that just happens to be gay.
Initiatives like the SpunOut.ie National Youth Website, which was set-up by young people with the support of youth health agencies, are taking the initiative towards change. SpunOut.ie is giving young people like me an opportunity to receive information and support on sex, relationships and a whole range of issues. It provides contacts on relevant help services throughout Ireland, gives young people a chance to publish their news and views and allows young people to confidentially discuss their lives through moderated discussion forums.
The time has come for change. This change can save lives. SpunOut.ie has set a marker in responsible and innovative media. It is up to others to follow suit.
By: Ian Howley, SpunOut.ie Youth Editor
Congrats to Ruairi!
On receiving Social Entrepreneur award.
Big up to SpunOut.ie Co-founder and Coordinator Ruairí McKiernan, 28, who was recently awarded a 'Social Entrepreneurs Ireland' award.
The Social Entrepreneurs Ireland award was presented at a high profile ceremony in Dublin last week by Special Olympics CEO, Mary Davis and recognises Ruairí’s work in setting up the Community Creations youth charity. It also gives the cash strapped SpunOut.ie crew much needed financial and business support.
Mary Davis said on the night “Our society needs these exceptional people. In the same way as business entrepreneurs are supporting our economic growth, social entrepreneurs are driven to solve social problems in our society. We need to support both equally.”
Ruairí founded the Ballyshannon based Community Creations organisation almost three years ago. It has since gone on to establish a national reputation for innovation, creativity and effectiveness in reaching out to young people and involving them in having their voices heard. The organisation now has 3 full-time and 2 part-time staff, over young 100 volunteers throughout the country, and plans for a new Galway office.
According to Ruairí, the inspiration for his work comes from his parents work in the community, which ranges from youth work to the Credit Union movement, and his experiences in travelling abroad.
“I think we all have a responsibility to contribute to the community in whatever way best fits our interests, abilities and resources. We all know about the growing interest in money and material well-being but it's time we paid attention to the health and well-being of our communities, and particularly our young people. Ireland is falling well behind in this regard,” he said.
Word.
More info on Social Entrepreneurs Ireland at www.socialentrepreneurs.ie
SpunOut.ie Youth Editor on RTE news
Watch the video here!
SpunOut.ie youth editor, Ian Howley spoke about sexuality and suicide on RTE Six One news last week. The TV interview took place following the SpunOut.ie presentation at the Console conference on suicide prevention.
Click here to watch the news clip.
Ian is a 22 year old graphic design student in Letterkenny I.T. and President of the LGBT society in the college. From the age of 12, Ian felt different from his peers and eventually realised that he was gay. Coming to terms with his sexuality was a long and painful process and Ian became more and more depressed. He isolated himself from family and friends and attempted suicide three times.
After the third attempt, Ian resolved to either end his life for real or start living. According to Ian, coming out to his family and friends wasn't the big deal it's made out to be and posed no major problems once he had accepted his sexuality himself.
Ian believes that depression among teenagers who are coming to terms with their sexuality is a major problem and having nowhere to turn for help and advice contributes to this.
He feels it is vital for people to have somewhere to turn for support and understanding and hopes that by helping to provide a safe place for people to turn to, he can prevent someone else going through the years of depression he himself experienced.
Remember: No matter what worry or problem you're dealing with, there is help and support available. The most important thing is to talk to someone: say what's going on in your mind and ask for help.
See the help section for contacts details of support organisations.
Find out more about mental health.
Find out more about sexuality.
