This week, TV3’s Ireland AM is aiming to raise awareness surrounding mental health in Ireland with a special new campaign.

One in four people will suffer from a mental health problem at some stage in their life. Though the illness is common in the country, many people are often subject to stigma and discrimination.

“Time to Talk Mental Health Campaign” is aiming to promote openness about the topic, to chat about it without fear of stigma.

A number of personalities are already on board to chat about their experiences include Cavan footballer Alan O’Mara, rugby commentator Brent Pope and DJ Gareth O’Callaghan.

Other speakers for the special segment include experts in the mental health field including Joan Freeman, CEO and Founder of Pieta house.

The Ireland AM team will also to speak to men from the Drogheda’s Men’s Shed as they explain how joining this national association has given them a new lease of life and young adolescents from Headstrong in Dublin.

“I remember being in a room by myself and I shut myself away from my friends, I felt a burden”,said Brent Pope of his mental health experience.

“Who wants to talk to you? Who can you talk to about your problems? Your friends will get sick of it. And I knew my parents had their own ways of dealing with things, they were strong people and would always get to the gym or go for a run.”

He continued, “It’s a case of if you’re in a dark place, and again I’m not a poster child I’m just somebody who has had my own problems, there’re people out there I know that are in desperate dark places now watching this and don’t think there’s light at the end of the tunnel and it’s sad [because] there absolutely is, you know, there is a way out for people. Please get on the phone, talk to a local priest if you can’t talk to parents, talk to friends, get some help.”

The segment will air every morning next week from 7am on TV3.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash tag #timetotalk

Helpines:

Aware: 1890 303302

Samaritans: 1850 609090

Shine (Supporting People Affected by Mental Ill Health): 1890 621631

Console: 1800 201 890

Pieta House: 01 601 0000

Reachout :01 764 5666