Limerick Stands Up Against Mental Illness

On March 11th, Dolan’s Warehouse in conjunction with Pieta House will be hosting Limerick Standing Up.

The event is organised by UL’s own Peter Corbett to raise money for Pieta House as well as to raise awareness for mental illness and suicide.

When asked why he felt this event was so important, Peter said; “Limerick City has a long, unforgiving history with suicide and mental health.

“The suicide rate in Limerick City is twice the national average. These figures don’t present a problem, they present an epidemic.

“Everyone in this city has a direct or indirect history with mental health, suicide, and self-harm.

“This event aims to spread awareness of these prevalent and harrowing problems and contribute to the cause that Pieta House battles every day.

“We all know what the problem is, it’s on the tip of everyone’s tongues. But we don’t talk about it.

“We just avoid it and let the stigma grow and grow, but that’s how the Irish operate, it’s how we work.

“But if we don’t create a discourse around the issue, if we don’t make advancements and we don’t talk about it as a genuine issue, then nothing will change.”

In recent years, Pieta house in Mungret saw a 100% increase in people that were availing of their services.

Welfare Officer, Caolan O’Donnell, commented “One in every three people experience mental health problems during their time in third level education. That’s looking left and right in a lecture.”

Anna’s Anchor, Emma Landford, A Weekend Away, Protobaby and Men Of Twenty will all be playing on the night with a raffle also helping to raise the much-needed funds.

The raffle is being sponsored by COQBULL Limerick, Limerick City Hotel and Steamboat Music.

Prizes include a €50 voucher for Steamboat Music, a €50 voucher for COQBULL Limerick, and a one night stay at the Limerick City Hotel including breakfast and a €20 bar voucher.

Tickets are available on Dolan’s website and will be at the entrance for €10.

Doors open at 8 pm and the first act will go on at 8:30 pm.

For more information contact organiser Peter Corbett at PeterC327@gmail.com or you can call him (085) 15 25 227.