The Kanchi Blog

Posted on

30th November 2011

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Mental health difficulties are hidden disabilities in more ways than one- unlike a physical disability there is no visible sign of the disability and more crippling than that is the stigma that is attached to mental health and its visibility or lack there of in society.
The medical definition of disability which emerged in the 18thcentury focuses on what the person couldn’t do rather than their abilities; the person was situated as the source of the problem. The social model of disability emerged in the 20th century re-positioned disability placing society at the centre of the ‘issue of disability’ – however there has been a long tradition of hiding disability and segregating people with disabilities away from mainstream society.
It’s time for a change – for both society and mental health’s positioning in our societies.
News reels have been spinning over the past few days after editor Peter Murtagh from the Irish Times published an article about his contact with Kate Fitzgerald, a young and vibrant professional who had submitted columns to the Irish Times under the pen name Grace Ringwood both on a professional and personal basis.
Kate Fitzgerald submitted an anonymous article about her experiences with mental health difficulties and the challenges she faced in her life after seeking help to cope with her mental illness.
At 10.24pm on Friday, August 19th Kate Fitzgerald submitted her final article to the Irish Times. Monday 22nd of August within an hour or two of e-mailing how much she enjoyed writing Kate had taken her own life. On the 9th of September The Irish Times published Kate’s article anonymously and were contacted by her father Tom Fitzgerald the following day to say he thought – was fairly certain, in fact – that the author of the anonymous piece was his daughter and that she had taken her own life between its having been submitted and published.
Sally Fitzgerald Kate’s mother said ““What I’ve learned from it? Trust your instincts. Choose your friends and associates carefully. We also wish to help erase the stigma attached to suicide. Depression is a medical illness, not merely a mental condition. As Kate implied in her article, the answer is there, if you ask the right question.”

One in four Irish people experience mental health difficulties during their life – this proportion of the Irish population is made up of people in employment, college and schools.
So where do we go from here?
How do we change the way people think and approach the subject of mental health?
Why is it seen as a shady area, one that we find difficult to approach?
The Health Service Executive HSE published a report earlier this year stating “Mental health describes how we think and feel about ourselves and others and how we interpret events in everyday life. It also relates to our ability to cope with transition, significant life events and the stress that often comes our way.” And that by having a mentally healthier society we will be better able to cope with the challenges that lie ahead of us.
Having strategies, facilities and an open mind is key to making this change, a change that will improve the lives of many Irish people and people world wide.
My thoughts are with the Fitzgerald family.

Kate Fitzgerald
“I write in the hope that this grabs someone, anyone, and makes them think twice about what they may lose by not asking the question. Seek guidance. Seek insight. For when you ask a question – a true question – only then can you receive an answer. And answers.”

GROW in Ireland
Ormonde Home, Barrack Street, Kilkenny
Office: 01-4549699
Helpline: 1890 474 474
Email: www.grow.ie
Website: info@grow.ie
Grow is a mental health organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems.
Suicide Helplines In Ireland and information from the Irish health Directory.com
Console

Dublin Living with Suicide
Console House
Telephone: 01 8685232
Helpline 1800 201 890
Providing support to those bereaved by suicide.
Samaritans
Telephone:1850 60 90 90
open 24hrs, 365 days
Life helpline: 1800 24 7 100 or text “HELP” to 51444 for one-to-one support.
HSE suicide prevention help line: 1800 742 745.