Bressie now the voice of mental health in Ireland?

discodiva92

This guy is getting alot of coverage and seema to be getting people talking.He is sucessful so not sure how bad is mental is but he is doing well

smash

Maybe it's a reflection on modern day life, or current social pressures, or just of over diagnosis. But in recent years everyone seems to have mental health issues. Talking about it has done about as much use as liking a facebook post to cure a child of cancer.

mzungu

smash wrote: »

Maybe it's a reflection on modern day life, or current social pressures, or just of over diagnosis. But in recent years everyone seems to have mental health issues. Talking about it has done about as much use as liking a facebook post to cure a child of cancer.

I wouldn't agree there. Mental health issues had to be dragged kicking and screaming into mainstream discussion. There is a hell of a lot more awareness about it now than there was ten or twenty years ago. I agree, Facebook posts are of no use, but other media have been doing a decent job of breaking down the barriers.

smash

mzungu wrote: »

I wouldn't agree there. Mental health issues had to be dragged kicking and screaming into mainstream discussion. There is a hell of a lot more awareness about it now than there was ten or twenty years ago.

Maybe because there's more of it around because of social pressure, pressures of modern life etc etc. Jesus, I must know around 200 people that have been diagnosed with some form of stress related depression over the last few years. At this point I'm immune to seeing interviews and articles about depression and realistically I just don't want to read or hear about it any more. Sad for those who actually do have it, but it's true. I have enough on my own plate without the need to view or read something, well... depressing.

StupidLikeAFox

smash wrote: »

Maybe because there's more of it around because of social pressure, pressures of modern life etc etc. Jesus, I must know around 200 people that have been diagnosed with some form of stress related depression over the last few years. At this point I'm immune to seeing interviews and articles about depression and realistically I just don't want to read or hear about it any more. Sad for those who actually do have it, but it's true. I have enough on my own plate without the need to view or read something, well... depressing.

Well I think the idea is to remove the stigma and that if somebody is suffering from mental illness that they will feel more comfortable opening up about it if there is a general conversation going on. Also somebody close to you might feel more prepared to start talking about their illness and likewise that you will have a greater understanding of what they are going through

Donald Trump

That's mental

smash

smash wrote: »

Maybe because there's more of it around because of social pressure, pressures of modern life etc etc. Jesus, I must know around 200 people that have been diagnosed with some form of stress related depression over the last few years. At this point I'm immune to seeing interviews and articles about depression and realistically I just don't want to read or hear about it any more. Sad for those who actually do have it, but it's true. I have enough on my own plate without the need to view or read something, well... depressing.

Everyone stop discussing cancer. It might make Smash feel bad

CageWager

Anyone raising a sensible conversation about mental health that could impact a kid is worthwhile IMO, we're terrible as a nation for bottling up our feelings. I don't think everyone should be going around pouring their heart out but it needs to be made known that if you have a genuine problem that talking to someone will help.

Not sure about this Bressie lad, don't know much about him but as the OP mentioned he is getting a lot of coverage - I have read on other forums that he charges schools to come and talk about mental health and he is also pushing a book but don't know how true any of that is. Either way it's a worthy cause so fair play to him.

smash

Deleted User wrote: »

Everyone stop discussing cancer. It might make Smash feel bad

This post is utterly stupid.

mzungu

smash wrote: »

Maybe because there's more of it around because of social pressure, pressures of modern life etc etc. Jesus, I must know around 200 people that have been diagnosed with some form of stress related depression over the last few years. At this point I'm immune to seeing interviews and articles about depression and realistically I just don't want to read or hear about it any more. Sad for those who actually do have it, but it's true. I have enough on my own plate without the need to view or read something, well... depressing.

All part of the bigger picture, the more normalised it is in media the more people will hopefully seek help.

smash

mzungu wrote: »

All part of the bigger picture, the more normalised it is in media the more people will hopefully seek help.

Mental health issues should never be normalised is society, because it's not normal!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

smash wrote: »

Maybe it's a reflection on modern day life, or current social pressures, or just of over diagnosis. But in recent years everyone seems to have mental health issues. Talking about it has done about as much use as liking a facebook post to cure a child of cancer.

Sorry, but you are wrong here, and that mentality is what makes it worse.

It's not hard to believe that with more people comes more problems, such as mental health issues. Live is too stressful for a lot of people.

eviltwin

I don't know why but I find it hard to like Bressie. I've heard his story and have the up most respect for him in dealing with his issues and talking about how it's okay to feel like that but lately it feels a bit forced, like it's more about him and his profile than the issue itself.

smash

Wells Melted Ufo wrote: »

Sorry, but you are wrong here, and that mentality is what makes it worse.

It's not hard to believe that with more people comes more problems, such as mental health issues. Live is too stressful for a lot of people.

and here lies the difference between some people who are sad about a situation compared to people who are suffering from depression yet both are diagnosed the same these days.

eviltwin

smash wrote: »

and here lies the difference between some people who are sad about a situation compared to people who are suffering from depression yet both are diagnosed the same these days.

One can lead to the other. Mental health awareness isn't just about reaching out to people who are feeling suicidal or can't get out of bed, it's about getting anyone in a bad place to address it early on before it gets out of hand.

smash

eviltwin wrote: »

One can lead to the other. Mental health awareness isn't just about reaching out to people who are feeling suicidal or can't get out of bed, it's about getting anyone in a bad place to address it early on before it gets out of hand.

For many people the only cure is a complete lifestyle change and for the vast majority it's not a viable option.

kupus

more people talking about it, the better it is.

the_barfly1

I'm sure this Bressie fella can't believe his luck. 3 grand an appearance for telling stories about his teenage angst while his music career is in the toilet.

I don't for one minute believe that he genuinely gives a damn about anybody else's mental health - he's after the money. I find this the most depressing thing about his crusade.

Whats worse is that half the country can't see his carefully concocted marketing scheme for what it is.

Yes its good to talk about mental health bla bla bla but this fella is using the issue as a money spinner.

If you think this lad is some sort of hero then more fool you.

hot buttered scones

smash wrote: »

For many people the only cure is a complete lifestyle change and for the vast majority it's not a viable option.

Dunno about that. Sometimes a few small changes can bring big results. Being more active, eating properly (not faddishly just more healthily), getting proper sleep, drinking less etc. While these things may seem overwhelming to someone initially, changing things a small bit at a time can help. This will result in an overall gradual change in lifestyle with major positive benefits. Granted, a lot of people in difficulty will need major support initially. Its hard to look after your mental health when your physical health is lacking (and vice versa). If I had to pick two things to start with it would be - go for a walk almost every day whether you feel like it or not, and try get a good nights sleep every night. And if you don't succeed in this on any given day, then that's ok, there's always tomorrow.

smash

smash wrote: »

This post is utterly stupid.

Oh no have I upset you?
Saying that mental health issues are not normal would more fit that statement

hot buttered scones

the_barfly1 wrote: »

I'm sure this Bressie fella can't believe his luck. 3 grand an appearance for telling stories about his teenage angst while his music career is in the toilet.

I don't for one minute believe that he genuinely gives a damn about anybody else's mental health - he's after the money. I find this the most depressing thing about his crusade.

Whats worse is that half the country can't see his carefully concocted marketing scheme for what it is.

Yes its good to talk about mental health bla bla bla but this fella is using the issue as a money spinner.

If you think this lad is some sort of hero then more fool you.

Couldn't give a toss if he becomes a millionaire if it encourages more people to talk about mental health issues (especially men who seem to have a harder time talking about these kind of things) and if it helps remove the stigma associated with having mental health issues.

smash

smash wrote: »

For many people the only cure is a complete lifestyle change and for the vast majority it's not a viable option.

Proof?? Didn't think so

smash

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh no have I upset you?
Saying that mental health issues are not normal would more fit that statement

They're not normal. That's why they're 'issues' and classified as an illness.

the_barfly1

hot buttered scones wrote: »

Couldn't give a toss if he becomes a millionaire if it encourages more people to talk about mental health issues (especially men who seem to have a harder time talking about these kind of things) and if it helps remove the stigma associated with having mental health issues.

Men don't - and won't - talk in the traditional way that charlatans like the aforementioned promote. We're not wired that way. The best thing out there for male mental health is the Men's Shed movement - like they say - Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder.

And to answer your first point - I find it revolting that someone is happy to profit from other folks misfortune. Maybe you think that's fine.

Richard Hillman

He is/was a musician. He is a natural performer. He feeds off the reaction of the crowd.

Now that his music career is dead, he now gets his kicks off public speaking and the reaction he gets from it.

I reckon he has talked himself back into depression. There is talking about your problems and then there is talking about your problems every single day. He is going into work places and other public speaking arenas every day to talk about his problems.

He is professionally depressed and I am finding him a bit distasteful at this stage

Richard Hillman

Richard Hillman wrote: »

He is a natural performer. He feeds off the reaction of the crowd.

Now that his music career is dead, he now gets his kicks off public speaking and the reaction he gets from it.

I reckon he has talked himself back into depression. There is talking about your problems and then there is talking about your problems every single day. He is going into work places and other public speaking arenas every day to talk about his problems.

He is professionally depressed and I am finding him a bit distasteful at this stage

Proof or are you talking out your arse?

discodiva92

Does he have an offical role or job witj someone?

smash

smash wrote: »

They're not normal. That's why they're 'issues' and classified as an illness.

Catching a cold is not normal?
Part of the population having cancer isn't normal?

Richard Hillman

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Proof or are you talking out your arse?

Proof of what???? That he does public speaking nearly everyday about depression? There is not an office block in Dublin that hasn't heard his story.

bridgettedon

the_barfly1 wrote: »

Men don't - and won't - talk in the traditional way that charlatans like the aforementioned promote. We're not wired that way. The best thing out there for male mental health is the Men's Shed movement - like they say - Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder.

And to answer your first point - I find it revolting that someone is happy to profit from other folks misfortune. Maybe you think that's fine.

I never warmed to Bressie so don't really pay attention to him that much. It is good that he is talking about mental health issues and brining them into the public eye. I didn't know that he charges for his talks on mental health. I didn't even know he does these talks. I was interested in reading his autobiography as I also suffer from mental health issues but it was a tad too expensive for me as I'm not the greatest fan of him.

Anything that makes people talk, both men and women, is a good thing. I also think sometimes that life changes can help make a person's life a little bit better such as a healthier diet, more exercise, a good sleep routine, a new hobby, new social outlets can make a huge difference.

smash

Richard Hillman wrote: »

There is talking about your problems and then there is talking about your problems every single day. He is going into work places and other public speaking arenas every day to talk about his problems.

Can you imagine what it's like backstage at the voice with Bressie and Eoghan McDermott since both came out publicly to talk about their depression?

Deleted User wrote: »

Catching a cold is not normal?
Part of the population having cancer isn't normal?

Your posts on this topic are getting worse and worse...

the_barfly1

smash wrote: »

Can you imagine what it's like backstage at the voice with Bressie and Eoghan McDermott since both came out publicly to talk about their depression?


Your posts on this topic are getting worse and worse...

McDermott probably wants a piece of that corporate circuit action

Lights On

It's no wonder there has been such a huge stigma around mental health in this country for so long, when someone in the spotlight finally does start to talk about it they get slated heavily for doing so.

"Sure he's famous and in a band, what does he know about it?" "Only doing it for self gain" "But he's getting paid for talking about it, that doesn't count"

Are just some of the types of comments I've seen over and over again whenever this subject comes up. Is he doing it for self gain? Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. But that doesn't really matter at the end of the day because the message is getting a hell of a lot more coverage in the media than it was 5 years ago, and that's what matters.

smash

the_barfly1 wrote: »

McDermott probably wants a piece of that corporate circuit action

I wouldn't go that far.

I wouldn't lambaste either for talking about it, but I disagree with the level of publicity they push on the subject. It's too much of a sensitive subject with wildly differing scientific reasoning behind various types of mental health issues and no definitive conclusive remedies that I feel it needs more research and conclusions before celebrities are allowed to be put on pedestals and adorned as figureheads.

Arghus

If I was Eoghan McDermott I would be depressed.

Richard Hillman

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Proof of what???? That he does public speaking nearly everyday about depression? There is not an office block in Dublin that hasn't heard his story.

About the, frankly stupid, assertion that he's talked into depression

smash

Deleted User wrote: »

About the, frankly stupid, assertion that he's talked into depression

He said "I reckon he has talked himself back into depression". It's an opinion. You want proof that he has an opinion?

my friend

discodiva92 wrote: »

This guy is getting alot of coverage and seema to be getting people talking.He is sucessful so not sure how bad is mental is but he is doing well

Who is funding him? What organisation is he a spokesperson for, cue the demand for funding

Edit:

Ah I've found it

http://www.alustforlife.com/about-us

PR heads and €€€ chasers

He wasn't going to make any € singing or playing sports and he is short of conversation too, looks like a machine now set up to garnish plenty of Taxpayers funding to address 'what they have decided is a huge problem '

GalwayGrrrrrl

I was a bit cautious about Bressie being legit and I too thought he was jumping on the bandwagon a bit. BUT then I went to see him talk at a university and WOW- it had such an impact on the audience. He had severe anxiety and panic from his school days until very recently. He suffered in silence, afraid to get help because of stigma. If his talks/book etc help a few people surely that's a good thing. Mental health is always the poor relation to cancer care/cardiac care etc so hopefully this might improve things for service users a little. Disclaimer- I work in hse mental health services.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

smash wrote: »

and here lies the difference between some people who are sad about a situation compared to people who are suffering from depression yet both are diagnosed the same these days.

You have made up that analagy all on your own...

smash

smash wrote: »

He said "I reckon he has talked himself back into depression". It's an opinion. You want proof that he has an opinion?

An informed opinion yeah. Or is having an "opinion" an excuse to spout ill informed moronic sh1te?

Actually you're the wrong person to ask ha

smash

xfactorfan23 wrote: »

I was a bit cautious about Bressie being legit and I too thought he was jumping on the bandwagon a bit. BUT then I went to see him talk at a university and WOW- it had such an impact on the audience. He had severe anxiety and panic from his school days until very recently. He suffered in silence, afraid to get help because of stigma. If his talks/book etc help a few people surely that's a good thing. Mental health is always the poor relation to cancer care/cardiac care etc so hopefully this might improve things for service users a little. Disclaimer- I work in hse mental health services.

He suffered from GAD (Generalized anxiety disorder) which has been explained as uncontrollable and irrational worry with apprehensive expectation about events or activities such as school, work, money, health, death family, friendship or relationship issues. This to me is one of those new enough mental health issues which is fuelled by social pressures and modern day living.

smash

Wells Melted Ufo wrote: »

You have made up that analagy all on your own...

No I haven't. I know people who have been diagnosed with depression as a result of being unhappy with aspects of their lifestyle.

Richard Hillman

[Deleted User] wrote: »

An informed opinion yeah. Or is having an "opinion" an excuse to spout ill informed moronic sh1te?

Actually you're the wrong person to ask ha

Do you think that it is good for a persons mental health and for a person that has had depression to be constantly talking about depression? and I mean talking about depression every single day.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

smash wrote: »

No I haven't. I know people who have been diagnosed with depression as a result of being unhappy with aspects of their lifestyle.

Are you a doctor? Was the diagnosis false?

smash

Wells Melted Ufo wrote: »

Are you a doctor? Was the diagnosis false?

Do you think it's ok to diagnose someone with depression because they're upset about the fact that they weren't granted a mortgage for the house they wanted?

fret_wimp2

smash wrote:

For many people the only cure is a complete lifestyle change and for the vast majority it's not a viable option.

I disagree with this. Massive changes rarely work long term, they are just a distraction for a little while from underlying issues that will reoccur until a person learns to deal with them. And dealing with depression a lot comes down to making a few very small changes.

Its called aggregation of marginal gains. The below article discusses how the UK cycling coach used this idea to get Britian from zero wins to a bundle of awards.
Theory is that if you improve a lot of areas by just 1%, these marginal gains all add up to give a very large overall improvement.

In the case of stress & depression, this could be applied as follows:


-Go to bed at a set time each night, before 10pm.
-turn off all screens(phone, pc, tablet ,tv etc) one hour before bed, to help your body get ready for sleep.
-start reading non stimulating material from an actual book before sleep.
Get 30 mins of exercise 4 or 5 times a week.
-cut out fizzy drinks. nothing more for now, just fizzy drinks.

Thats 4 small things that absolutely anybody can do, and none require a drastic lifestyle change. But they all add up to help you get better sleep, clear your head, get endorphins flowing, get physical health moving in the right direction & level off body chemistry ( cut sugar high's & lows).

After doing this for 3-4 weeks, cumulative effects should be very visible to the practitioner & can be built upon.


http://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains

Im not saying this is the answer to everything, and im sure there are some people in a lot of pain out there that need a lot of help, but the theory still applies, break the problem down, make small easy to adapt changes that aggregate up to a massive benefit in health & feeling of wellbeing.

smash wrote: »

Do you think it's ok to diagnose someone with depression because they're upset about the fact that they weren't granted a mortgage for the house they wanted?

Again, it depends. People need to know the difference between being a bit peeved/annoyed over something & a real issue. Someone might hit rock bottom and the trigger was not getting a mortgage, or missing a promotion or something that is just a small stumbling block to most people. Its important to remember that this is only the trigger, not the underlying cause, which needs to be teased out, mostly by the person in distress.

the_barfly1

This celebrity bandwagoning of mental health issues is creating a climate in which doctors are afraid to NOT prescribe anti depressants to people who do not need them. FFS there's something like 10% of the population on them!!!!

Yer man Bressie had/has (did he have at all?) a few anxiety attacks and calls it depression. F*uck off. And now he's making a living from making teenage girls think that they too are depressed. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a few kickbacks from the pharma companies in there too.

People really need to cop on and learn the realities of depression.

Grieving a broken relationship is NOT depression.
Feeling down about being unemployed is NOT depression.
Not being able to afford the latest poxy iphone and feeling sh1t about that is NOT depression.
Anything that causes negative feelings that you have the power to change is NOT depression.
Yet these are the reasons that people claim to be depressed.
When I was younger it was called feeling blue, and it passes.

A quick google will show anybody who's interested that over two thirds of the people currently on anti-depressant medication are NOT depressed. (p*ss off and google it for yourself, i'm not here to aggregate links)


REAL clinical depression is beyond the comprehension of 99% of the population, and rightly so. That 1% are the ones that need real help.

The world is gone nuts about depression. Everybody is depressed, but hardly anybody is. The sad thing is that the "hardly anyone" that are, are having the services that should be there to help them diluted massively by the ones that "think" they are.

I await the attacks of the boards.ie Social Justice Warriors. Do I care? No.

bodice ripper

"Hey you with the depression - would you go back to bottling it up please? I am being mildly inconvenienced...."

smash

bodice ripper wrote: »

"Hey you with the depression - would you go back to bottling it up please? I am being mildly inconvenienced...."

How about "hey you with the false depression diagnosis - would you mind shutting up and stop making a mockery of a mental illness just so you can gain social networking points?"

eviltwin

the_barfly1 wrote: »

This celebrity bandwagoning of mental health issues is creating a climate in which doctors are afraid to NOT prescribe anti depressants to people who do not need them. FFS there's something like 10% of the population on them!!!!

Yer man Bressie had/has (did he have at all?) a few anxiety attacks and calls it depression. F*uck off. And now he's making a living from making teenage girls think that they too are depressed. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a few kickbacks from the pharma companies in there too.

People really need to cop on and learn the realities of depression.

Grieving a broken relationship is NOT depression.
Feeling down about being unemployed is NOT depression.
Not being able to afford the latest poxy iphone and feeling sh1t about that is NOT depression.
Anything that causes negative feelings that you have the power to change is NOT depression.
Yet these are the reasons that people claim to be depressed.
When I was younger it was called feeling blue, and it passes.

A quick google will show anybody who's interested that over two thirds of the people currently on anti-depressant medication are NOT depressed. (p*ss off and google it for yourself, i'm not here to aggregate links)


REAL clinical depression is beyond the comprehension of 99% of the population, and rightly so. That 1% are the ones that need real help.

The world is gone nuts about depression. Everybody is depressed, but hardly anybody is. The sad thing is that the "hardly anyone" that are, are having the services that should be there to help them diluted massively by the ones that "think" they are.

I await the attacks of the boards.ie Social Justice Warriors. Do I care? No.

Pretty much this. Not to minimise anyone or their experiences but there is a big difference between feeling depressed and depression.