Dublin Community Launches ‘It’s OK Not to Be OK’ Mental Health Initiative

A new mental health initiative aimed at fostering open conversations among Dublin residents has been launched in Coolock. Titled “It’s OK Not to Be OK,” this project is spearheaded by community volunteer Theresa Kelly in partnership with the local Garda Síochána. The initiative provides bright pins and information cards at the Coolock Garda Station to encourage discussions about mental health.

The idea for the project emerged from Kelly’s observations of people struggling in silence with their mental health. “I have come across a lot of people with mental health issues, and I’m ashamed to say we don’t often see it,” she stated. Her inspiration came from a council meeting where a councillor addressed mental health, prompting her to act on the need for increased awareness and dialogue.

Encouraging Conversations

The initiative features eye-catching pins that bear the slogan “It’s OK Not to Be OK,” serving as conversation starters. The accompanying cards provide essential mental health helplines and support information. Kelly explained, “If we wore a pin that said it’s OK not to be OK, it would be bright, it would be a conversation starter.” She believes these simple items can open the door for meaningful discussions about mental health.

Kelly emphasizes the importance of reconnecting on a human level. “We’ve all stopped talking to each other,” she remarked, pointing out how modern distractions, particularly smartphones, have diminished face-to-face interactions. She has dedicated over two decades to community service, running Helping Hands, a volunteer group that aids vulnerable residents and manages a sensory garden for neurodiverse children.

Community Response and Future Plans

The response to the “It’s OK Not to Be OK” initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Since its launch last week, more than 3,000 pins have been distributed. Kelly reported receiving support from various organizations, including a text from the Coast Guard expressing their desire to collaborate. “There’s a pharmaceutical company getting involved, too. I’m blown away,” she said, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm for the project.

Kelly aims to extend the reach of the initiative beyond Coolock, hoping to distribute the cards and pins to medical facilities, hospitals, and workplaces throughout Dublin. She noted the significance of having readily available resources, stating, “If you ask somebody for help and they have to go onto a phone to look for a number, it can be hard.”

The message is clear: mental health should not carry stigma. “You shouldn’t be ashamed of mental health; it’s an illness, the same as a broken arm or a broken leg,” Kelly asserted. By fostering open conversations and encouraging kindness, she believes the initiative can make a meaningful difference in the community. “The sooner people start talking and being nicer to each other, the better,” she concluded.