Is Ireland depressed?

Daveysil15 · 19-03-2013 07:17PM

RaRaRasputin wrote: »

ah please..

What?

TroutMask · 19-03-2013 07:21PM

Yep, very depressing in Ireland. I'm in France right now and it's great. Lovely food, nice people, everyone says hello. Think I'll stay

RaRaRasputin · 19-03-2013 07:25PM

Daveysil15 wrote: »

What?

I haven't encountered a place with a bigger obsession with mental health yet

heartseeker · 19-03-2013 07:43PM

Its the Ameericans or tourists I feel sorry for that come over with great expectations of this dreamy land of saints and scholars or to build a new life for themselves because they think that the US has problems only to get here and then realise the grass isn't any greener here!!!

nocoverart · 19-03-2013 07:48PM

Irish people in general aren't the problem, It's Irish people watching RTE that's the problem... fooking depressing channel that!

TroutMask · 19-03-2013 07:50PM

i hear that - RTE is the worst. Thankfully I'm on FreeSat, not an irish channel in sight

Daveysil15 · 19-03-2013 07:51PM

RaRaRasputin wrote: »

I haven't encountered a place with a bigger obsession with mental health yet

And what about America where its almost cool to see a shrink? I meant there's more of a stigma wtih it here and its not really openly discussed.

Equium · 19-03-2013 07:53PM

Statistics show that 6 out of 7 dwarfs aren't Happy.

Minderbinder · 19-03-2013 08:00PM

heartseeker wrote: »

Its the Ameericans or tourists I feel sorry for that come over with great expectations of this dreamy land of saints and scholars or to build a new life for themselves because they think that the US has problems only to get here and then realise the grass isn't any greener here!!!

Saints and scholars aren't supposed to look happy though. They're meant to be in control of their emotions. People associate laughter and exuberant behaviour for happiness but people who are like that are as likely to be depressed as anyone else. I'm happy but look like a right grumpy sod, for example.

The_B_Man · 19-03-2013 09:41PM

You know when u wake up hungover, and u just lay in bed for a while? Between the smell of drink off ya, and the constant supply of farts coming out of ya, you have the whole room stunk up overnight. You realise there probably is a smell, but you've been lying in it long enough that you're used to it and don't really care.

When somebody else walks into the room, they nearly collapse with the smell. If they tell you that the room stinks, in most cases you'll either say u don't care, or you'll tell them to **** off coz you dont wanna hear it.

This is what its like coming back to Ireland after being away.

Wompa1 · 19-03-2013 09:50PM

The_B_Man wrote: »

You know when u wake up hungover, and u just lay in bed for a while? Between the smell of drink off ya, and the constant supply of farts coming out of ya, you have the whole room stunk up overnight. You realise there probably is a smell, but you've been lying in it long enough that you're used to it and don't really care.

When somebody else walks into the room, they nearly collapse with the smell. If they tell you that the room stinks, in most cases you'll either say u don't care, or you'll tell them to **** off coz you dont wanna hear it.

This is what its like coming back to Ireland after being away.

Sounds like someone has a drinking problem! If you cut back on your drinking, said smell of alcohol will be gone and you'll be able to focus entirely on the issue of your farting...

Weathering · 19-03-2013 10:08PM

Feel sick after the above posts

ToddyDoody · 19-03-2013 10:20PM

Ireland probably is depressed. When someone here told me I seemed like quite a positive person I began to get suspicious.

MiseryMary · 19-03-2013 10:21PM

ruaille buaille wrote: »

I've returned to Ireland after living abroad for the past few years. I can't help but notice that people in general seem to be depressed. All we seem to talk about is the recession, how we've no money, theres no jobs etc etc.
Nobody wants to go out anymore. Even if you suggest things that cost little or no money. People actually seem to want to stay in at home all the time. I understand that things are tough at the moment, I am looking for work now aswell and its not easy. Just feel that peoples attitudes make it worse.

Agree with the points you made but I think its not just depression but alot of anger to it as well to how Ireland got into such a state, stores closed down all over, people lost jobs who is trying to provide for their family and struggle to put bread on the table, ridiculous charges to get money off people the whole time, at the end of the day you can't blame people to how they feel and people tried givng in CVs to look for work and your refused even tho you are qualified for the position so there is rejection. A twisted system puts people off big time.

efb · 19-03-2013 10:24PM

No, we are no just living within our means- the 'keep up with the jones-jones's is thankfully over.

Mr_Spaceman · 19-03-2013 10:42PM

heartseeker wrote: »

Its the Americans or tourists I feel sorry for that come over with great expectations of this dreamy land of saints and scholars or to build a new life for themselves because they think that the US has problems only to get here and then realise the grass isn't any greener here!!!

If people are seriously going to be naive enough to think Ireland is one shangri-la of saints, scholars and jolly little people then I've little sympathy for them. Americans naive? Never!

Irrespective of what country you visit, nothing is ever what it seems in the brochure. It can approximate, yes, but let's get real.

Daveysil15 wrote: »

And what about America where its almost cool to see a shrink? I meant there's more of a stigma wtih it here and its not really openly discussed.

You can go and see a shrink and keep it private. You don't need to tell the world about it like many Americans feel compelled to do.

Personal matters don't have to be broadcast as some kind of attention-seeking fashion statement which is, as you say, quite often the case in the US.

Quite frankly if the OP finds Ireland 'depressed' - and there may be a grain of truth in this of course - then I suggest going to countries where children haven't got shoes on their feet or a pot to piss in.

Legs.Eleven · 19-03-2013 10:47PM

I don't know what Ireland is like right now (only go home at Chrimbo and for a weekend here and there, so people are in good form - don't see what it's like on a daily basis) but Spain is depressing as fook right now and for all the love of the fiesta here, people on a day-to-day basis are not in a good place. People I know from here have mentioned how they feel the mood has changed dramatically since the beginning of the crisis. I've only ever known this country in crisis, so I can't compare but people are very obviously a angry and sick to the back teeth of the constant reminder that their country is in the shytter and that feeling is palpable every where you go and I think it's understandable.

I'd be a fairly optimistic person but it's tough to stay positive all the time and continue to be hopeful about the future when I don't have much faith in those who are governing us here and over there. I'm lucky (so damn lucky) to have a job but I can't imagine how hard it is to be long-term unemployed (I've been lucky enough to have never experienced that). There's only so many walks on the beach you can take per day and keeping yourself motivated to do some self-improvement is no easy feat for your average Joe. It's so easy for someone employed like me to come along and preach at unemployed people that they have to keep positive at all times - it's not that easy. It's against our nature to be positive all the time anyway. That's something imported from the Americans - the idea that being realistic (sometimes mistaken for negativity)is bad. That's bollocks. Do we really want to be taking advice from a country with a huge of proportion of their citizens off their heads on Valium just to get through the day?

And the weather IS atrociously bad in Ireland, let's be honest here! It can be pretty demotivating to get out and do something.

My ex Slovakian housemate who I shared flat with in Dublin during the good times said when she visited Ireland a year or so ago, she cried because she could "feel the depression in the air" and she wouldn't be the emotional type.

I dunno. I feel it's understandable that people are down in the dumps right now. We can't pretend everything is rosy when it's very clearly not. We're only human. I'm not condoning constant moaning but it's really hard to be positive when so many people are trying to keep their heads above the water.

CrabRevolution · 19-03-2013 10:47PM

heartseeker wrote: »

Its the Ameericans or tourists I feel sorry for that come over with great expectations of this dreamy land of saints and scholars or to build a new life for themselves because they think that the US has problems only to get here and then realise the grass isn't any greener here!!!

That has to be one of the least concerning things i have ever heard. To be honest i think its fantastic that Americans annoying stereotypical images of here are shattered before their eyes.

Ridiculous image to try and live up to anyway; would you be crestfallen if you went to France and the men werent wearing berets and carrying onions and baguettes?

ToddyDoody · 19-03-2013 10:53PM

CrabRevolution wrote:

would you be crestfallen if you went to France and the men werent wearing berets and carrying onions and baguettes?

Yeah a little... Of course the real reason we're depressed is that we're too clever to be stupid enough to be capable of moderate happiness

Daveysil15 · 19-03-2013 11:10PM

Mr_Spaceman wrote: »

You can go and see a shrink and keep it private. You don't need to tell the world about it like many Americans feel compelled to do.

True, but at least they're more open about it and they're generally not as stigmatised for seeking professional help like so many are here. Many people with mental health difficulties continue to face negative attitudes in Ireland.

menapyan · 19-03-2013 11:37PM

I think the current generation are lacking something that most of the previous generations before them had, even during times of struggle. I don't think Ireland is depressed, I just think many young Irish people are.

TroutMask · 19-03-2013 11:45PM

Wouldn't agree with that, see lots of youngsters DIYing it - quite impressed by them TBH.

MrPoker · 20-03-2013 12:03AM

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I don't know what Ireland is like right now (only go home at Chrimbo and for a weekend here and there, so people are in good form - don't see what it's like on a daily basis) but Spain is depressing as fook right now and for all the love of the fiesta here, people on a day-to-day basis are not in a good place. People I know from here have mentioned how they feel the mood has changed dramatically since the beginning of the crisis. I've only ever known this country in crisis, so I can't compare but people are very obviously a angry and sick to the back teeth of the constant reminder that their country is in the shytter and that feeling is palpable every where you go and I think it's understandable.

I'd be a fairly optimistic person but it's tough to stay positive all the time and continue to be hopeful about the future when I don't have much faith in those who are governing us here and over there. I'm lucky (so damn lucky) to have a job but I can't imagine how hard it is to be long-term unemployed (I've been lucky enough to have never experienced that). There's only so many walks on the beach you can take per day and keeping yourself motivated to do some self-improvement is no easy feat for your average Joe. It's so easy for someone employed like me to come along and preach at unemployed people that they have to keep positive at all times - it's not that easy. It's against our nature to be positive all the time anyway. That's something imported from the Americans - the idea that being realistic (sometimes mistaken for negativity)is bad. That's bollocks. Do we really want to be taking advice from a country with a huge of proportion of their citizens off their heads on Valium just to get through the day?

And the weather IS atrociously bad in Ireland, let's be honest here! It can be pretty demotivating to get out and do something.

My ex Slovakian housemate who I shared flat with in Dublin during the good times said when she visited Ireland a year or so ago, she cried because she could "feel the depression in the air" and she wouldn't be the emotional type.

I dunno. I feel it's understandable that people are down in the dumps right now. We can't pretend everything is rosy when it's very clearly not. We're only human. I'm not condoning constant moaning but it's really hard to be positive when so many people are trying to keep their heads above the water.

This along with continuous negative media coverage of our economic situation have really added to a definite sense of depression. I mentioned this to mates about being depressed looking at grey skies the whole time and they all agreed with me. Seasonal affective disorder I think its called http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder. Weeks could go by without seeing the sun.

Is it just me or has our weather really deteriorated in the last five years or so? When I was in my teens maybe 10 years ago we would spend the whole summer holidays outside playing football or lounging around in the sun. Nowadays July and August are nothing but a damp squib.

AlekSmart · 20-03-2013 12:41AM

Augmerson wrote: »

Ah heyor. What the **** is wrong with playing videogames all day? Have you seen the ****ing weather outside? Self-progression is for the summer months. Right now I am in hibernate mode. Not going outside unless I absolutely have to.

Got it in one !

Nobody wants to admit it but we have constantly failed miserably (!) to plan for our climate.

Vast amounts of Public Open Space and the likes remain virtually unusable for perhaps 3 months every year.

Even our National Day,which could be a great positive focal point has to be framed within a "How Cold/Wet/Snowy will it be" viewpoint.

I always had a grudging admiration for the common sense of the Orangemen,as most years one would be greeted by an Irish Times photo of a Plump,Sweating,Prosperous Sash-Wearer,licking a 99 as he lay out on "The Field"of a 12th of July.

The other element in much of our national malaise is the all pervasive sense of entitlement which cloaks virtually every facet of modern Irish Life.

No matter what it may be,we have an "entitlement" to it,and by golly will we fight to maintain those "Entitlements",even if we never paid a red cent into the funding of them.

menapyan · 20-03-2013 12:49AM

Joe McNamara would have done a better job had he put a roof on his stonehenge and filled the space with uv lights, turning it into a year round indoor beach attraction.

Laneyh · 20-03-2013 12:50AM

ruaille buaille wrote: »

I've returned to Ireland after living abroad for the past few years. I can't help but notice that people in general seem to be depressed. All we seem to talk about is the recession, how we've no money, theres no jobs etc etc.
Nobody wants to go out anymore. Even if you suggest things that cost little or no money. People actually seem to want to stay in at home all the time. I understand that things are tough at the moment, I am looking for work now aswell and its not easy. Just feel that peoples attitudes make it worse.

That may in part be down to the people you know. I have a few friends who aren't working and a lot of friend's who've been affected by the recession but I wouldn't say they've changed really. Maybe your friends are depressed or can't be arsed trying anything different or maybe they're saving up to emigrate. I suggest widening your social circle before they drag you down

I think there is a lot more speculation and media coverage of people struggling than actual people struggling. There are a lot of genuine cases of hardship too but these are not the stories that abound.

We are constantly bombarded with 'feel bad' stories which I think sometimes are skewed out of proportion.

There seem to be more gigs and festivals on here than ever before and most of them have no problem selling out. In Dublin at least the pubs are pretty busy every weekend and I see new cafes opening up all the time.

So, I can't see how its as grim as portrayed. I guess if people have mortgages or other debts to pay off they can't afford to be frivolous. I recognise that for some people it takes a bit of adjustment and maybe they don't want to do the free or cheap stuff as they see it as a compromise but it is an opportunity to try and be a bit more creative.
Its pretty unhealthy to become a hermit

In as much as the national obsession in the boom times seemed to be the boom times, property and investments people now seem to like to fixate about the recession, the property crash and for some reason tourists.
Every other thread has stuff about 'awful if a tourist sees that' or 'thank god no tourists were around' tourists are very welcome here and do contribute to the economy but I don't get the obsession with their needs over the people who live here.

In as much as the boom bypassed a lot of people I believe the recession is too and it is in part just an impression people have formed that they're a lot worse off.

I'm sure depression rates have increased but it sounds to me like maybe you just have some lethargic friends who're set in their ways

20-03-2013 12:52AM

So far we've been oppressed, then repressed, and now we're depressed.

Why can't we have at least one good 'essed'?!

Laneyh · 20-03-2013 12:53AM

menapyan wrote: »

I think the current generation are lacking something that most of the previous generations before them had, even during times of struggle. I don't think Ireland is depressed, I just think many young Irish people are.

Actually there are far more activists, creative co-ops and people DIYing now than in previous generations.
They're just not the ones interviewed on The Front Line or filmed on 'Boozed Up Abroad'

Laneyh · 20-03-2013 12:55AM

Deleted User wrote: »

So far we've been oppressed, then repressed, and now we're depressed.

Why can't we have at least one good 'essed'?!

Maybe we'll be possessed next and the new Pope will have to visit to conduct a mass exorcism

Laneyh · 20-03-2013 01:08AM

heartseeker wrote: »

Its the Ameericans or tourists I feel sorry for that come over with great expectations of this dreamy land of saints and scholars or to build a new life for themselves because they think that the US has problems only to get here and then realise the grass isn't any greener here!!!

Most tourists see what they want to, they're not living here watching Irish telly and reading Irish news so they are probably largely oblivious to any depression / recession.
And if they visit any of the national parks they will find that the grass is indeed greener

Any Americans coming here to build a new life for themselves most likely work in IT and will be well paid and cared for during their time here. I can't imagine there are too many economic migrants / refugees coming to Ireland from America.

Our biggest immigrant community is the English and I'd say the only thing they're shocked by is the price of food and drink

Is Ireland depressed?

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