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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.
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For PR Information please contact Sarah Gahan Tel: 087-6846088
