Brought to you by LYONS Tea supporting Pieta House.

Monday was a special day.

As most of you will know by now, Monday marked World Mental Health Awareness Day across the globe. Here in Ireland, we are facing a serious mental health epidemic. Last year 451 lives were lost to suicide, while thousands of people battle anxiety, depression and other difficulties daily. It's time we talked about it openly and frankly. It's time we took action. So on Monday we held a very special event with LYONS Tea supporting Pieta House. The #TimeToTalk event was held at The Royal College of Physicians in Kildare Street and over 200 people attended. The event kicked off with an open panel discussion on the state of mental health in Ireland. Lots of interesting points were raised from funding to mental wellness education in schools. Speakers such as Blindboy Boatclub, Minister of State for Mental Health Helen McEntee, CEO of Pieta House Brian Higgins, Psychotherapist Colman Noctor and many more spoke passionately about mental health in Ireland. They all raised some very interesting points.

My approach with mental health is a proactive one rather than a reactive one - Blindboy from @Rubberbandits #TimeToTalk @lyons_tea — Her.ie (@Herdotie) October 10, 2016

"Young people are lonely" Minister for Mental Health @HMcEntee puts it simply and effectively #TimeToTalk @PietaHouse @JOEdotie @Herdotie — Lyons Tea (@lyons_tea) October 10, 2016

When someone isn't afraid to say 'I had a panic attack last week' then we will move forward. It's all about courage- Blindboy #TimeToTalk — Her.ie (@Herdotie) October 10, 2016

Harriet Parsons of Bodywyse "There is no 1 treatment for mental health, different things work for different people & that's ok." #TimeToTalk — Lyons Tea (@lyons_tea) October 10, 2016

"We need to review what's working and what's not working in A Vision for Change" @HMcEntee #TimeToTalk pic.twitter.com/PZaTeD7BpP — Lyons Tea (@lyons_tea) October 10, 2016

"1/3 of those who use mental health services in Ireland are re-admitted. we need more bodies on the ground to help" @ShariMcDaid #TimeToTalk — Lyons Tea (@lyons_tea) October 10, 2016

'Shame is something we learn when we're about 4 years old - it's an irrational emotion' - Blindboy of @Rubberbandits... #TimeToTalk #WMHD16 pic.twitter.com/9ZoNZQBBLc — Pieta House (@PietaHouse) October 10, 2016

Thanks to the amazing panel at our #TimeToTalk event, what a brilliant start! @PietaHouse @JOEdotie @Herdotie next up our breakout sessions! pic.twitter.com/Ct5SwMErkJ — Lyons Tea (@lyons_tea) October 10, 2016

Following the discussion, the audience split into breakout sessions to discuss things like funding, social media, and stigma. You can now watch the highlights from the event below. This article is brought to you by LYONS Tea supporting Pieta House. LYONS Tea has been at the centre of conversations in Irish households for generations. Many a problem has been shared over a cup of their tea. That's why LYONS is delighted to support Pieta House to raise awareness for the services they provide and to get the nation talking about mental health issues. Pieta House offers free help and support for people experiencing suicidal ideation, suicidal bereavement or engaging in self-harm.