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SpunOut.ie Blog
June, 2007
Bubble
Poem by Marie Duffy, read at the Tough Times launch.
I am trapped inside this bubble,
Fighting to get out
So tired of this tension
I want to leave it all behind
Make a sweet escape.
From this world of despair, pain and hate
I cope with it all,
In my own destructive way
People they judge
I' m not normal
But who are they to say.
Smiling in your dark suit
You lean back in your chair,
Always asking questions,
Taking notes.
Acting like you care.
But are you really listening?
Are you even aware
Do you really understand?
Do you really care?
A problem shared is a problem halved
Something they always say
I found the courage
To reach out
Now I wake looking forward to each day
By: Marie Duffy, SpunOut.ie Youth Editor
Related articles and links
Find out more about the Tough Times campaign.
Read Ian Howley's blog about the campaign.
Watch the Frank and Walters playing at the launch.
Watch the Hassle Merchants playing at the launch.
Everybody goes through tough times
Read SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Marie Duffy's poem from the Tough Times launch.
Marie Duffy talks about the launch
Want to get involved or to know more? Contact us.
Resources
-
For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088
About the Tough Times campaign
The 'Tough Times' campaign - reaching out to young people.
The Tough Times campaign encourages young people to realise that it’s normal to experience difficult times and that, however small or big the problem there are help and support options available.
The campaign points young people towards www.spunout.ie, which provides factsheets on a range of health and lifestyle issues, signposts users to relevant help services throughout the country and gives young people a platform to air their views.
The campaign was coordinated by the youth-led SpunOut.ie charity and was commissioned and joint funded by Console and Turning The Tide of Suicide (3Ts) and produced by Kairos Communications. The cost of airing the advertisement on RTE television was provided by Console and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention.
Ireland has the 5th highest suicide rate in Europe for the 15-25 year old age group. Death by suicide is the number one cause of death among young Irish men. This campaign aims to reduce the large number of deaths by suicide by raising awareness of the alternative options available to young people in crisis. It uses a combination of television advertising, poster campaign, online marketing and presence at festivals and concerts, radio, newspaper and magazine features to communicate its key message; that everyone goes through tough times and answers are out there.
The television advertisement aired for 2 weeks from June 19th and featured Ian Howley, a 22 year old student who attempted suicide three times in his early to mid teens. He got involved in the campaign through SpunOut.ie, to help others learn from his experience:
"Everyone experiences tough times at some stage in their lives. Many young people continue to face a range of health and social pressures leaving them struggling to cope with life’s challenges, but I don't want any other person to have to feel what I felt and to go through what I have – there is someone you can talk to so no-one need suffer alone."
The young people featured in the advertisement provided direction and guidance on the issues raised in the advertisement including ‘coming out’ to parents, unexpected pregnancy, low self esteem and depression.
The highest rate of suicide is found among young men aged under 35 years – accounting for approximately 40% of all Irish suicides. In general, men are reluctant to seek professional advice to help them cope with difficulties. The campaign seeks to address this and uses the Internet as a tool that many young men in particular view as confidential and accessible when it comes to sourcing information and advice.
Speaking in advance of the campaign, Andrew Garvey, Chair of the suicide bereavement group Console said: "It's perfectly normal to experience tough times in life. We all do. Talking about an issue can make such a difference. There is no need to feel that you're alone. Talk to family, friends, teachers, youth workers, health professionals or support organisations. Never feel that there is nowhere to turn. However big the problem may seem, it is not insurmountable." He also encouraged people to call Console’s helpline on 1800 201890.
Well known Cork rock-pop outfit, The Frank and Walters donated the background track ‘New York’ to the advertisement and are active supporters of the campaign. Ashley Keating, of the Frank and Walters explained why they've lent their support:
"We think it's time the music industry rallied behind causes like this. Mental health problems and suicide affect everybody. We believe in the power of music to help people understand, survive and heal. The Tough Times campaign is particularly powerful as it brings together music, youth, health, community, government and media agencies to rally for a collective solution to a collective problem. We're encouraging others to join us".
The organisers hope to involve a range of celebrities, politicians, funders and other organisations to support the campaign in time for the second phase in September by signing up online at www.spunout.ie.
How you can help the 'Tough Times' campaign
1. Spread the word amongst friends and contacts.
2. Promote SpunOut.ie as much as you can.
3. Sign-up for updates here on the website.
4. Help us generate funding and sponsorship.
5. Get in touch with ideas for publicity and development.
Audio from the Launch
Campaign partners
SpunOut.ie
The award winning SpunOut.ie website, which acts as the hub of the campaign, is run by a young staff team in partnership with young people and healthcare professionals throughout Ireland. It provides young people with quality, accessible, youth friendly factsheets on important health and lifestyle issues, a signposting directory of relevant services, a moderated discussion forum and opportunities to be involved in youth media and advocacy. SpunOut.ie taps into youth Internet culture, providing a confidential way to access information, which is particularly useful when it comes to sensitive and taboo issues around mental and sexual health.
Contact: Tel. 091 533693 / Email: info@spunout.ie / Web: www.spunout.ie
Console
Console is a registered charity supporting and helping people bereaved through suicide. Console provides a range of counselling services and promotes positive mental health within the community in an effort to reduce the high number of attempted suicides and deaths through suicide.
Contact: Tel. 01 8574300 / Email: info@console.ie / Web: www.console.ie
The 3T's (Turning the Tide of Suicide)
The 3T's (Turning the Tide of Suicide) is a charity organisation founded to raise awareness and funding to lower the suicide rates in Ireland through dedicated research, educational support and intervention in the problem of suicide in Ireland.
Contact: Tel. 01 661 5525 / Email: 3ts@alburn.com / Web: www.3ts.ie
HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP)
The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is a HSE office dedicated to coordinating suicide prevention efforts nationally and implementing the ‘Reach Out’ National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention.
Contact: Tel. 01 635 2139 / Email: info@nosp.ie / Web: www.nosp.ie
Kairos Communications
Kairos is an acclaimed media production and television company, which for more than 30 years has produced high quality programmes for national radio and television. Productions include RTE’s multicultural series, Mono, several series of the cookery programme, Nuabhia Gaelach, for TG4, numerous live broadcasts and documentaries as well as a feature for Primetime on Rwanda.
Contact: Tel. 01 628 6007 / Email: info@kairoscomms.ie / Web: www.kairoscomms.ie
Thank you!
We would like to thank everybody who has been involved with the Tough Times campaign to date, including the young people who supported and guided the campaign; the partnership efforts between Console, the 3Ts, the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and Kairos Communications; as well as the support of The Frank and Walters, Aidan Power and The Hassle Merchants.
Information for media practioners on responsible reporting on mental health and suicide can be found online at www.headline.ie
Related articles and links
Find out more about the Tough Times campaign.
Read Ian Howley's blog about the campaign.
Watch the Frank and Walters playing at the launch.
Watch the Hassle Merchants playing at the launch.
Everybody goes through tough times
Read SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Marie Duffy's poem from the Tough Times launch.
Marie Duffy talks about the launch
Want to get involved or to know more? Contact us.
Resources
-
For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088
Tough Times campaign launch
SpunOut.ie Blog: Check out the pics from the Tough Times launch.
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved with the Tough Times campaign and launch on June 19th!
The launch kicked off in Whelans, Dublin with music from The Frank and Walters, the Finglas Rappers (Warren Gifford, Christopher Buckley and Darren Fitzpatrick) and The Hassle Merchants and the support of RTE's Aidan Power.
There were also speeches by representatives of the partner organisations, by some of the young people involved with the campaign, and a viewing of the Tough Times television advertisement, which aired for 2 weeks from June 19th.
Listen to the Speechs and the Rappers from Finglas!
About the Tough Times campaign
The Tough Times campaign encourages young people to realise that it’s normal to experience difficult times and that, however small or big the problem there are help and support options available.
The campaign points young people towards www.spunout.ie, which provides factsheets on a range of health and lifestyle issues, signposts users to relevant help services throughout the country and gives young people a platform to air their views.
The campaign was coordinated by the youth-led SpunOut.ie charity and was commissioned and joint funded by Console and Turning The Tide of Suicide (3Ts) and produced by Kairos Communications. The cost of airing the advertisement on RTE television was provided by Console and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention.
Find out more about the Tough Times campaign.
Experiencing the Tough Times launch
“When I entered Whelan’s on Tuesday, I was amazed by the support for this campaign. It had been promoted on various radio stations the previous night and that morning before the launch. There were various age groups there, which was a particularly positive thing because the issues dealt with in the campaign affect everyone.
Speeches were made, music was played and of course the ad itself was shown. Leaflets and cards from various supportive organisations were distributed. Special guests included Aiden Power from RTÉ and The Frank and Walters. Lots of photos were taken, including ones involving a traffic cone and the SpunOut.ie youth editors! And our very own Spunoutters Marie Duffy read poetry and Ian Howley spoke about his own experiences. All in all, the event was both successful and enlightening. Suicide is often an issue that people prefer to avoid talking about. This campaign launch essentially lifted that barrier and encouraged communication.
I feel that there has been progress made already at this early stage in the campaign because now, it is as if a magic lamp has been vigorously rubbed by a cloth and the genie is out of the bottle. In other words, people are encouraged to not “bottle things up.” The main message to all of us is that we should keep things out in the open.
If some “elbow grease” is put in by the government, then not only will the campaign wishes be granted; everyone who is having a tough time at one point or another in their lives will hopefully feel able to speak out and seek support and help. A problem shared is a problem halved and sometimes the best help that you can give a friend is to just sit and listen.
It’s a typical Irish thing really: put on a strong front and whatever you do, don’t show your real emotions or you will be considered weak. This is, of course, wrong. The campaign’s message is that we are only human so LET IT OUT!!! Arm yourself with a different outlook. Looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses is one thing but looking at it from a dark tunnel is far more foolish. Go to the light with your head held high. Don’t let your pride weigh you down. You will be that much stronger and tougher for it at the end of the tunnel. This campaign has the potential to be part of the country’s saviour…so bask in its rays of light. Savour it, embrace it, choose life.
By: Megan Nelis, SpunOut.ie Youth Editor
Related articles and links
Find out more about the Tough Times campaign.
Read Ian Howley's blog about the campaign.
Watch the Frank and Walters playing at the launch.
Watch the Hassle Merchants playing at the launch.
Everybody goes through tough times
Read SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Marie Duffy's poem from the Tough Times launch.
Marie Duffy talks about the launch
Want to get involved or to know more? Contact us.
Resources
-
For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088
Speaking out about tough times
SpunOut.ie blog: Ian Howley tells his story and explains why he got involved with the Tough Times campaign.
How would you feel if you knew something you were about to do is going to make such a difference it might just save someone’s life?
Nervous? Worried? Excited? All of the above?
Over a year ago I became involved with SpunOut.ie. At the time, SpunOut.ie interviewed me in my position as President of the LGBT society in Letterkenny I.T. SpunOut.ie asked for my opinion on young men, mental health and suicide. It was a tough question because I was hiding something. I was hiding my past. I had never told anyone before about my three suicide attempts. I had never told anyone about my depression. Nobody. Not even my family knew about them.
Within a few short weeks I was sitting in front of a camera and telling my story to a lad called James. As the interview went on I could see his mouth drop in awe. He was shocked at what I was telling him. So was I, because it was only as the interview started that I decided that yes, now is my time. I’m finally going to tell my story.
What a way to tell your story for the first time.
What followed was in no other words, amazing. From that day on my life changed. A day in which I started out not even knowing what I was going to say to a day that changed my life.
You see, all it took for me was a small bit of courage. That small bit of courage changed my life.
SpunOut.ie listened to me that day. They listened to my story and now they have given me a voice. In the next couple of weeks, I’m going to use this voice to tell people that all it takes is a small bit of courage and it will change your life.
I got involved with SpunOut.ie to make a difference and to hopefully save a life.
We are going to make a difference. We will save lives.
Tough times are exactly what they are. Everyone will go through tough times, but with a bit of courage those times can change. It took time for me to change my life, but what has happened to me can happen to anyone.
We here at SpunOut.ie are going to make people realise that everyone has the power to change their life.
Tough times can become better times.
By: Ian Howley
Related articles and links
Find out more about the Tough Times campaign.
Read Ian Howley's blog about the campaign.
Watch the Frank and Walters playing at the launch.
Watch the Hassle Merchants playing at the launch.
Everybody goes through tough times.
Read SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Marie Duffy's poem from the Tough Times launch.
Marie Duffy talks about the launch
Want to get involved or to know more? Contact us.
Resources
-
For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088
A note on internet safety
SpunOut.ie Blog: Internet safety.
There have been a lot of reports recently on the dangers of the internet, including stories of cyber bullying and suicide pacts.
SpunOut.ie strives to harness the potential of the internet in a responsible and safe way. We work directly with youth and health professionals and have a skilled staff, management, volunteer and advisory base to support to help ensure quality and safety controls are in place.
- We are not an open publishing forum. All youth written articles go through our in-house editorial processes.
- Our discussion forums are fully moderated by trained staff and volunteers.
- We adhere to strict child protection policies and procedures.
We believe that the internet is now firmly part of mainstream youth culture. It needs to be used and supported constructively and effectively. In order to reach and support young people, the internet must be used. Services like SpunOut.ie, Bodywhys and Samaritans are doing this in a safe and responsible way.
The overwhelming evidence shows that the internet can be used as a tool for helping, informing and supporting people. Here at SpunOut.ie, we know of hundreds of cases of how SpunOut.ie has directly helped young people.
For more information on safe surfing, internet safety and reporting abuse please check out webwise.ie and hotline.ie.
Everybody goes through tough times
TV campaign featuring young people.
For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088 (Download Campaign Picture)
Everybody goes through tough times in life and no matter what you are going through, you can be sure that somebody else has faced the same worries and problems. Tough times can be experienced at home, at school, within relationships and in our minds. Quite often people turn to alcohol, drugs, self-harm or develop eating disorders or addictions as ways of coping. Tragically and all too often, some people turn to suicide as a way of coping.
We believe that tough times are normal. If you don't go through them today, you might tomorrow, or next week, or next year. Perhaps your brother or cousin is having troubles right now?
No matter what the problem is, it's important to remember that there is always someone that can help. Even if it’s a problem that you’re not sure about, it’s better to ask for help or advice than to struggle on alone.
These are some of the issues the 'Tough Times' TV advert addressed for two weeks from June 19th, 2007
The ad was a partnership between Console, the 3Ts, the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, Kairos Communications and our good selves here at SpunOut.ie.
It featured young people sitting in a café to the backdrop of The Frank and Walters' song New York. The issues going through the people's heads include sexuality, relationships, depression and possibly suicide. SpunOut.ie Youth Editor Ian Howley is one of those in the ad and is one of the media spokespeople for the 'Tough Times' campaign.
At the end of the advert, viewers were pointed towards SpunOut.ie as a source of information, advice and contacts on where to go for help. We have also done radio and press campaigning and online marketing to support the campaign.
For PR Information please contact Ruairí McKiernan or Sarah Gahan
Related articles and links
Find out more about the Tough Times campaign.
Read Ian Howley's blog about the campaign.
Watch the Frank and Walters playing at the launch.
Watch the Hassle Merchants playing at the launch.
Everybody goes through tough times
Read SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Marie Duffy's poem from the Tough Times launch.
Marie Duffy talks about the launch
Want to get involved or to know more? Contact us.
Resources
-
For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088
Experiencing MEDIA MOVES
SpunOut.ie blog: Youth Editor, Clare Herbert talks about her involvement with Media Moves.
Every now and then, you hit upon something that spirals beyond the bounds of all imagination. Case in point: SpunOut.ie. Faffing about on the net, I found it, loved it and became instantly involved. Now, I name drop it into conversations with prospective SpunOutters, poster about it like a loony, Bebo-spam my friends with updates and click online, a little too regularly.
Anyone who is young, innovative or just plain interesting, I’ve pointed them here. Anyone who wants media advice, any speech I give, anyone with even a passing interest in all things youthful, I’ve sent them here. The site blossoms on a daily basis and I chatter about it to the world. And recently, I got the chance to spread the SpunOut.ie love a little further.
‘Media Moves’, organised jointly by SpunOut.ie, Galway One World Centre and MediaForum, saw an eclectic gathering of media junkies, activists and journalists from a spectrum of organisations, meeting to discuss ‘the media: what works well, but what could work better‘. The team of speakers was an impressive one and I was privileged to be among them.
As a SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, my topic was ‘youth representation and the media’ and I had quite the rant.
From my perspective, it was an exciting day. A room full of interested, innovative, proactive people eager to use both the mainstream and alternative media to further their own great causes and ideas. The energy was palpable, the passion evident and the athmosphere warm and constructive.
Kudos are due to the fantastic organising of Dave at MediaForum, Heike at Galway One World Centre and our own Ruairi from SpunOut.ie, who I finally got to meet after nearly a year of phone calls and emails. Hopefully, we won’t leave it as long the next time.
Perhaps, this may even by the start of (dare I say?) a franchise. The annual gathering of like minded people with an (in my case, obsessional) interest in the media and the drive to see improvements made to the media. Across the diversity and differences of the day, there was one commonality: we all agreed that the media should work better and, my fellow readers, it’s up to us to engineer that.
Joining up with SpunOut.ie all those months ago, I never would have believed that it would lead me onstage at a national media conference. I guess you just never can tell where the SpunOut.ie road will lead. I sure love being on it though, and would be thrilled to see you travelling it too someday soon…
By: SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Clare Herbert
MEDIA MOVES 2007
SpunOut.ie blog: Galway got media moving with MEDIA MOVES 2007.
On Friday June 8th the SpunOut.ie team joined forces with MediaForum and Galway One World Centre and hosted the brilliant MEDIA MOVES 2007 event in Galway.
MEDIA MOVES brought together over 80 people from across the country, who are interested in understanding and using the media for social change.
Speakers and facilitators included:
- SpunOut.ie Youth Editor Clare Herbert
- Ex-Irish Times Latin America Correspondent Michael McCaughan.
- Travellers for Travellers spokesperson, Patrick Nevin
- TG4 News Editor, Tomás Ó'Siocháin
- Journalist and Campaigner, Rose Brock
- Shell to Sea spokesperson Dr. Mark Garavan
- Irish Independent Legal Affairs Correspondent, Dearbhail McDonald
- Ex RTE producer, Lelia Doolan
- Near FM's Robbie Sinnot
- Indymedia.ie Editor Ciaron Moore
Dave from MediaForum
The morning session hosted presentations, discussions and debate and explored the media's role in shaping how we see the world and also looked at how campaigns and groups are often misrepresented by mainstream media.
The afternoon was more focused on solutions with workshops on beginner's media, DIY media and advanced media skills.
The day ended with documentary screenings from Galway Film Centre's ID project, showcasing community made documentaries on the Simon Community, Active Age groups, and an independent living centre in Ennis.
All in all the day was a huge success, bringing together people, groups, ideas, energy and solutions – all focused on better using and creating media for positive social change.
Onwards and upwards towards MEDIA MOVES 2008!
By: Ruairi McKiernan, Founder SpunOut.ie
SpunOut.ie is reborn!
SpunOut.ie Blog: It's finally here and we hope YOU are as excited as we are.
After months of planning and hard graft we would like to present SpunOut.ie Version 3 (as we nicknamed it).
The new website is crammed full of extra features and improvements, including:
The big stuff:
- The website is now 4 times faster than it used to be.
- It’s easier to read.
- We have completely gutted and rebuilt the navigation, making it much easier for you to find your way around!
- We have themed sections so that you don’t get bored looking at the same old design throughout.
- We have integrated the Discussion forum further into the website.
Get SpunOut.ie on the road, on your mobile and in your inbox!
- A brand new MOBILE version of SpunOut.ie is now available. Find out more here.
- Keep up to the date with the latest content on SpunOut.ie -we now have RSS feeds for all you news junkies. Find out more here.
And lots, lots more:
- Embedded video is featured throughout the website for example, watch the Bodywhys video here.
- There is a revamped Find Help section, featuring the ‘Tough Times’ campaign TV advert, supportive factsheets on how to find help and a searchable database of support organisations and services.
- A cool new blog format is now online.
- There are interactive polls and vox pops throughout the website, so that YOU can have your say!
- Check out the new printer friendly / accessible / text only version of the website.
- The website now sports an archive feature so that you can search and read old content.
And generally SpunOut.ie is just looking HOT! At least, that’s what we think – now it’s down to you. Please use the form below to send us your feedback, comments and suggestions about the new website.
By: Sean Bryceland and Anna Lally
It's been a bit quiet!
SpunOut.ie Blog: The old blog has been a bit quiet for the last week, but thats for a reason!
Yup were all busying ourselves at SpunOut.ie HQ in prep for a mad fortnight ahead. Stay tuned- the website is being revamped with a new look, hot new navigation and loadsa fresh and funky new articles to kick start your summer! It WILL be worth it!
In the meantime, it's sunny, go out and frolic!
By: Sean Bryceland
