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A Lust For Life | Mental Health Charity Ireland

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Do you know who you are

Do you know who you are

Daragh Fleming
For quite a long time I avoided spending any time alone at all costs. Part of the reason was depression – I simply couldn’t spend time alone without becoming lonely – but once the depression faded away I was still reluctant to be alone
Opening the front door: Overcoming agoraphobia and severe anxiety

Opening the front door: Overcoming agoraphobia and severe anxiety

Emily Rose
Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety that can grow so severe that you can’t leave your home. At its worst, my agoraphobia didn’t let me leave my bedroom
The panic attack that changed my life

The panic attack that changed my life

Andrew Jenkinson
It was about 7pm, in late November 2018. I was boarding a flight from London to Dublin following a meeting with one of our clients where I had presented our latest work to a large group of senior execs
How I came to love myself and challenge the chaos in my head

How I came to love myself and challenge the chaos in my head

Cliodhna Gannon
That night when I arrived home, I thought to myself if I can’t even do this right, then what is the point? What do I have left to offer?
“The Blue Inhaler”

“The Blue Inhaler”

Dave Lawlor
I still remember the day that we first started our journey. It was a winter’s evening in early January. I had to escape the toxicity of city life’. I needed a moment away from the fake smiling, laughing and the facade of happiness
This is mental health

This is mental health

Maria Lynn
Maria Lynn @Pinch_of_pos is a student paediatric nurse who is passionate about lifting the stigma around mental health. She has created this video to bring people together in a hope that others realise that they are not alone
Suicide

Suicide

Darragh O’Boyle
After the terrible news of the suicide of Caroline Flack, someone who I have followed online and really liked her positive energy, zest for life and lovable personality, I wanted to write down a few words on suicide and mental health
Living with an Anxiety Disorder

Living with an Anxiety Disorder

Bekkii Spain
In 2015 I had no idea that I was going to face my toughest challenge of my life. One night while lying in bed I started to feel worried, I started focusing on that feeling. Was there something wrong?
Vulnerable Mind

Vulnerable Mind

Piss Poor Poet
Have you ever had an itch that you just can't scratch? Like my own psychological plaster cast, Or have you faked a smile behind which envy hides, I've “always been the bridesmaid - never been the bride”
Bonus Live Episode of Where There’s A Will – Recorded Live at the First Fortnight Festival

Bonus Live Episode of Where There’s A Will – Recorded Live at the First Fortnight Festival

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
This is a final bonus episode in this season of Where There’s A Will, and was recorded live on Thursday, 17th January
Episode 6 of Where There’s A Will – The Future is Unwritten

Episode 6 of Where There’s A Will – The Future is Unwritten

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
Every system is built on an invisible foundation, supported by invisible scaffolding, which is our cultural understanding of mental health
I am grateful: my mental health journey

I am grateful: my mental health journey

Christopher Booth
The other day I posted on Instagram that I might share something in the topic of mental health. Anybody who is close to me, knows that I have had my ups and downs
“I need to recognise the Donald Trump in me”

“I need to recognise the Donald Trump in me”

Niall Breslin
I’m currently in my second year of my Masters in Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and some of my deepest learning has come through the group discussions
Life is simple if you follow these steps

Life is simple if you follow these steps

Brian Pennie
Life is full of challenges. I’m not denying that — I’ve had my fair share — but life can be simple if you introduce principles into your daily routine
What it’s like to die before you die

What it’s like to die before you die

Brian Pennie
Fifteen years of addiction had taken a climactic hold. I lost my job, my mind, every important relationship in my life, and my body was rapidly deteriorating. I finally decided that I needed help
“I finally found something that calms me down” If you think you can’t draw or meditate, there’s another way you can approach mindful practice

“I finally found something that calms me down” If you think you can’t draw or...

Peter Connolly
Zentangle is the mindful drawing of repetitive patterns that create fun & beautiful images
Music, Mental Health & Minding Yourself: A Ramble

Music, Mental Health & Minding Yourself: A Ramble

Jennifer Fennell
On 18th May, 2017, rock and roll lost one of its greats, Chris Cornell. To be honest, I didn’t know a whole lot about Chris Cornell at this time
Saving lives, one patrol at a timevideo

Saving lives, one patrol at a time

Limerick Suicide Warch
Limerick Suicide Watch is a Suicide Prevention Group formed in May 2016, we patrol the banks of the River Shannon and the 7 bridges in Limerick City helping people who may be in distress or contemplating suicide
A Lust for Life and Joe Caslin present: When Words Fail

A Lust for Life and Joe Caslin present: When Words Fail

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
A celebration of creativity and mental health. At A Lust for Life, we’re big believers in creativity – in making stuff
How to Mind Yourself, with Fiona Brennan

How to Mind Yourself, with Fiona Brennan

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
In the first of a series on ‘How to Mind Yourself’, A Lust for Life asks a Clinical Hypnotherapist & NLP Practitioner Fiona Brennan how she takes care of herself and her mental health
We ALWAYS have a choice

We ALWAYS have a choice

Brian Pennie
Life is full of challenges, most of which we have no control over. This might sound a little disheartening, but grasping this fully can save you a lot of pain
Being your own hero: How Dungeons & Dragons helped my mental health

Being your own hero: How Dungeons & Dragons helped my mental health

Ruth O’Hagan
With the recent resurgence in popularity of roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons, we asked A Lust for Life writer and D&D player, Ruth O’Hagan, to write about how
Vulnerability hangovers

Vulnerability hangovers

Ciara Hughes
The homogenised self - that streamlined ‘us’ that reads a room and acts accordingly - is how we manage to live relatively shame-free day to day. But sometimes we find ourselves unexpectedly in a situation where we feel safe
How the Buddhist metaphor of “the second arrow” can help you be nicer to yourself

How the Buddhist metaphor of “the second arrow” can help you be nicer to yourself

Ciara O’Connor Walsh
The pessimistic phrase “shit happens” is often seen as a mantra for the disaffected, the apathetic, the cynical. But shit does happen in life, sometimes a lot of shit
How my family befriended and beat the Anxiety monsters

How my family befriended and beat the Anxiety monsters

Sinead Flanagan
It’s challenging as a parent to watch your child struggle. To hear that nagging voice in your head which tells you that something is not right. There’s just something
Out of homelessness into hope

Out of homelessness into hope

Mick Finnegan
My name is Mick Finnegan I'm 35 and I'm from Crumlin in Dublin. Initially life was good. I believed I grew up in what appeared to be a loving family. However my family were either using or selling drugs
Start a Conversation

Start a Conversation

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
Since we founded A Lust for Life, we’ve noticed there’s lots of common ground among the huge numbers of people who write for us about their personal journeys. One major common ground is their need to break a silence
We Deserve Better: My Story Through Depression

We Deserve Better: My Story Through Depression

Gary Fitzgibbon
Gary Fitzgibbon shares his depression journey, and the problems he experienced with significant gaps in the mental health services in Ireland
Coco’s Storyvideo

Coco’s Story

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
This powerful film by Gerard Walsh tells Coco's story. The film speaks to Jackie Fox about her daughter Nicole, or Coco, who died by suicide in January. Jackie and others are campaigning for Coco's Law
When someone close to you has cancer

When someone close to you has cancer

Bernie Kirwin
What does “giving care” mean? When someone you love becomes ill, you naturally want to care and support them. Giving care can often be seen as providing physical care to someone who loses their independence due to illness
‘We are not broken, we’re human’ – Overcoming years of misdiagnosis and medication

‘We are not broken, we’re human’ – Overcoming years of misdiagnosis and medication

Fiona Kennedy
‘Over the years I’ve come to recognise that depression is, and quite likely always will be to one extent or another, simply part of my life, part of who I am.’
Overcoming the shame of being gay

Overcoming the shame of being gay

Darragh O’Boyle
I have always looked at myself negatively, harshly and unfavourably. For a long time I put this down to my looks, not handsome enough, not fit enough, causing me to be so self-aware which in turn caused deep rooted anxiety
How counselling and talk therapy can help

How counselling and talk therapy can help

Ann Heathcote
Counselling is one of the most powerful weapons we have against a whole range of mental health issues like depression, grief and anxiety
How to keep your worries at bay – Your step by step guide

How to keep your worries at bay – Your step by step guide

Stewart Geddes
Searching for certainty in an ambiguous world…Worry is the major feature of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and intolerance of uncertainty is the force behind worry
Social anxiety and blushing – how to manage the problem

Social anxiety and blushing – how to manage the problem

Stewart Geddes
What if you were terrified of social situations? What if one of your worst fears was people knowing how uncomfortable you are?
Advice to the 15 year old me with Social Anxiety Disorder

Advice to the 15 year old me with Social Anxiety Disorder

Francis Cleary
I am 15 years old, quiet, anxious. I have just counted on my copy book during the last class in school how many days it would be until I would be finished secondary school forever
How anxiety can affect our attention and concentration at work and what to do about it

How anxiety can affect our attention and concentration at work and what to do about it

Stewart Geddes
One place where you need to be able to concentrate, take in information, and decide the best course of action with a clear head, is in the working environment
Overcoming severe anxiety and panic attacks to feeling calm, happy and brave

Overcoming severe anxiety and panic attacks to feeling calm, happy and brave

Sinéad McKiernan
The concept of “being aware” was not something that ever existed in my life. I was not aware of my thoughts, my emotions, and certainly not my breathing
The Volunteers – ‘Why are people allowed to be wounded everywhere except their mind?’

The Volunteers – ‘Why are people allowed to be wounded everywhere except their mind?’

Joe Caslin
I lost five of my students to suicide in my first five years of teaching. I am marked. Darkened, lessened, wounded and numbed
Stop feeding the troll – How anxiety resembles shitposting, clickbait and trolling

Stop feeding the troll – How anxiety resembles shitposting, clickbait and trolling

Stewart Geddes
I was reading an article the other day on ‘Shitposting’ (outlined below for those of you who don’t know what it is), and it struck me how similar the phenomenon is
My anxiety and me

My anxiety and me

Darragh O’Boyle
My heart races, thoughts are rampant coming at me from all directions, tense shoulders, on edge, my breath is faster, my fists tighter, looking for the exit, will I bolt now, breathe Darragh, for the love of God relax
The benefits and practices of Mindful Self Compassion and Loving Kindness

The benefits and practices of Mindful Self Compassion and Loving Kindness

Fiona O'Donnell, The Mindfulness Centre
When we start to practice mindfulness and notice where the mind is going, we can be surprised to hear how harsh our inner critic can be
Depression: Calling it by its proper name

Depression: Calling it by its proper name

Doris Murphy
I have depression. It has taken some 11 years to admit that. I’ve “had low mood”, “not felt great”, “not been myself”, “been low energy”, “been a bit allergic” many times. But this year, when I felt low for longer than usual
What I learned from quitting social media for one month

What I learned from quitting social media for one month

Mia King
The irony is not lost on me; sharing an article on social media about quitting social media! But it cannot be denied that the online world offers a wonderful platform
How to deal with anxiety

How to deal with anxiety

Fiona Brennan
Tip 1 - Understand that anxiety is not your fault. Why are we collectively dealing with so much anxiety? Understanding the roots of your anxiety is essential and also realising that it is not your fault is the first step
Coping with anxiety while loving your partner as well

Coping with anxiety while loving your partner as well

Todd Griffin
Entering into a relationship with someone requires you to be open, honest, and supportive of your partner. While these may sound simple enough, for those coping with anxiety
The grief of losing my husband, mindfulness and me

The grief of losing my husband, mindfulness and me

Sarah Billington
The request. Write a blog for Mindfulness Matters. My reaction – blind panic, doubt, feelings of inadequacy and the urge to say no straight away – to take the easy way out
An ex-member of An Garda Síochána’s story – Post-Traumatic Stress, Bipolar and me

An ex-member of An Garda Síochána’s story – Post-Traumatic Stress, Bipolar and me

A Lust For Life Reader
Cast your memory back to the year 2000. Were you were dancing like a Maniac to DJ Mark McCabe’s tune, working in your first job after university
How being in recovery helped me to succeed in business

How being in recovery helped me to succeed in business

Samantha Kelly
9 years ago I was not in a good place. I was feeling very lonely, tired and my confidence was at an all-time low. I had done the travelling bit when I was younger, my partying etc
Positive Psychology | Exercises for building happiness – Part 1

Positive Psychology | Exercises for building happiness – Part 1

Arran Kennedy
The pursuit of happiness has occupied humans for millennia – whether creating ancient Greek schools of philosophy, inspiring the United States Declaration of Independence
Therapists have bad days too

Therapists have bad days too

Caroline Murphy
So, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. Counsellors, therapists and everyone else you meet can have good days and bad days. Long before I trained as a therapist I had this misguided belief
The benefits of going alcohol free

The benefits of going alcohol free

John McKiernan
Drinking makes us feel bad. Many drink to feel good, but it actually makes us feel bad. It can also contribute to increased anxiety, depression and many forms of illnesses. We’re all heard of the saying ‘the fear’
Don’t believe every shit thought you have

Don’t believe every shit thought you have

Philip Notaro
Thoughts seem to have such incredible power over us. We seem to believe what we think without question or any further investigation into if it's true or not. The mind has this insanely powerful momentum that can sweep us away
For anyone with trauma – A practice that helped me un-numb my pain and release it

For anyone with trauma – A practice that helped me un-numb my pain and release it

Philip Notaro
After working very intimately and personally with trauma over the past couple of years, I felt inspired to write a few words about this
Depression and relationships – What you can do to retain intimacy when depressed

Depression and relationships – What you can do to retain intimacy when depressed

Emma Doyle
If you are depressed your relationship can also become depressed. Depression can wreak havoc on your ability to experience and maintain intimacy within your relationship
A friend has suffered a bereavement – What on earth do I do?

A friend has suffered a bereavement – What on earth do I do?

Charlotte Sutherland
I’ve never been much of a writer, by which I mean I’ve never really attempted to write. I’ve written a few half arsed comedy sketches
Easy 10 minute meditation for feeling focused and calm

Easy 10 minute meditation for feeling focused and calm

Sinéad McKiernan
Taking a few deep breaths is one of the easiest and quickest ways to find relief when you are feeling anxious, stressed or a bit scattered
Alike short filmvideo

Alike short film

A Lust For Life - Irish Mental Health Charity
In a busy life, Copi is a father who tries to teach the right way to his son, Paste. But... what is the correct path? like is an animated short film directed by Daniel Martinez Lara and co-directed by Rafa Cano Mendez
A beginner’s guide to self-compassion

A beginner’s guide to self-compassion

Jennifer Fennell
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We’re all familiar with The Golden Rule. It’s a great credo to live by, and its logic is sound: we should treat others the way that we would like to be treated
When they found me that night, I had this note. I have rewritten it now, for you

When they found me that night, I had this note. I have rewritten it now, for you

Elaine Doyle
My boyfriend and I had just been to a gig in the O2 that night. It was his birthday and I had been granted a few hours leave after a few months in the hospital
Turning softly towards your pain rather than avoiding it brings great solace

Turning softly towards your pain rather than avoiding it brings great solace

Niall Breslin
Recently I have just completed an 8 week mindfulness based stress reduction programme with my trainer Fiona at the Mindfulness centre in Dublin
Is school preparing our children for a world that no longer exists?

Is school preparing our children for a world that no longer exists?

John Doran
Meet Michelle, currently studying for the leaving certificate. Unlike her parents, she does not want to own a piece of the world - she merely wants to visit it
Man walks into bar, orders an addictive depressant, becomes addicted and depressed

Man walks into bar, orders an addictive depressant, becomes addicted and depressed

John McKiernan
No joke. There’s no doubt about it, living alcohol free in Ireland is a radical move, particularly for an Irish person
The deep loneliness of withdrawing from friends and family

The deep loneliness of withdrawing from friends and family

David O'Connor
There has always been an air of simplicity about my presence in character. Despite the ambivertedness (qualities of both introversion and extroversion
Less is more – the beauty of detaching from possessions

Less is more – the beauty of detaching from possessions

Karen Maloney
I remember the first time I came across this quote. I thought it was so deep and profound, yet extremely simple and true in its sentiment. Why do we have things so backwards?
How I cope when struggling with anxiety and depression

How I cope when struggling with anxiety and depression

Ellen Downey
Like so many others I have come through some extremely tough times in my life, moments where I felt I had only one option
Loss of desire

Loss of desire

Deirdre Clohessy
It is hard explaining depression to people who have never experienced it. It is a debilitating illness with many faces and many factors, often far too many to name
Teachers – How to manage the anxiety of the ‘Sunday Night Dread!’

Teachers – How to manage the anxiety of the ‘Sunday Night Dread!’

Ann-Marie Ireland
‘Living for the weekend’ is a phrase so often and too often used by teachers all across the country and whilst it can be quite a humorous statement
Dealing with my alcohol demons

Dealing with my alcohol demons

Aoife Kane
My eyes flickered open and as I turned my head towards the windows, the shaft of light that broke through the curtains blinded me. I closed my eyes, felt the heaviness of my head as I tried to lift it off the pillow
I chose life – Surviving alcoholism in a country that worships alcohol

I chose life – Surviving alcoholism in a country that worships alcohol

Dee Nolan
As Homer Simpson once quoted: “Alcohol - the cause of, and the solution to all of life’s problems”. And what a wise quote for a simple cartoon man!
The joys of slowing down

The joys of slowing down

Andrew Mcginley
On reading the title of this article, you would be forgiven for thinking that its aim was to promote some kind of counter productive, hippy philosophy
I sprained my mental health

I sprained my mental health

David O'Connor
I recently sprained my mental health, twisted it badly. I'm on crutches for a couple of weeks, possibly longer. "What happened?" they said
Mindfulness Program: Week 1 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Mindfulness Program: Week 1 of a 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Fiona O'Donnell, The Mindfulness Centre
Welcome to Week 1 of this 4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness, so whether you’re a complete beginner and curious about learning more
How to live alcohol free

How to live alcohol free

John McKiernan
Following on from my first A Lust for Life article 15 things I absolutely love about not drinking, here are some steps to support you on your journey to living an alcohol free life
What I love about not drinking

What I love about not drinking

John McKiernan
NO MORE HANGOVERS: No more wasted days sitting on the couch too afraid to move or face the world. No fear, no anxiety, no depression. Saturdays and Sundays free to enjoy as I please
Learning self-acceptance to find happiness within

Learning self-acceptance to find happiness within

Anita Alig
Regardless of who you are, you are going to be going through good times and bad, find things easy at times and hard at others
Setting habits for a positive daily routine

Setting habits for a positive daily routine

Kevin McNamara
You wake up early in the morning, take a shower, have breakfast, go to work, university, or whatever it is that you do, come back home, and go to bed
Anxiety – my greatest ally in life

Anxiety – my greatest ally in life

Jenna Keane
Anxiety: It’s all about perspective. My anxiety made me quit my job. Most people will perceive this as a negative statement. Reactions such as “The poor girl, that’s awful” come to mind
Why caring for your needs first is not selfish

Why caring for your needs first is not selfish

Fiona Brennan
The importance of establishing a self-care routine that meets your mental, physical, emotional and psychological needs is paramount to your own well-being and those that you love
The chaos and the calm

The chaos and the calm

Gemma Hogan
When a tsunami of anxiety is washing over you, you wonder: “Why is this happening again?” A late morning turns into a missed day
If you are thinking of suicide, please talk to someone. It saved my life.

If you are thinking of suicide, please talk to someone. It saved my life.

Robert MacDonald
I am a 31 year old man who has and does occasionally still suffer from depression. I would first start out by saying that I had a great childhood with a loving family
A blog by teachers for teachers: Looking at real problems and solutions

A blog by teachers for teachers: Looking at real problems and solutions

Ann-Marie Ireland
So, it’s that time of year again where the summer has drawn to a close and we as teachers have started a new school year
Self-destructive behaviour and distractions did not help my depression – Talking did

Self-destructive behaviour and distractions did not help my depression – Talking did

Deirdre Clohessy
Four years into my depression I could write a book on self-destructive behaviour, for now I suppose I’ll settle for an article!
Why random acts of kindness are important now more than ever

Why random acts of kindness are important now more than ever

Aisling O’Connor
I’ve always thought that random acts of kindness are important. They may not be monumental or change the world but are significant in their own way
Feeling guilt because of your anxiety

Feeling guilt because of your anxiety

Dearbhla Morrin
Have you ever felt guilty because you have let someone down? Better still, because you have let yourself down? Most people's answer will be yes. Now, imagine feeling this guilt because of something that is out of your control
How gratitude revolutionised my mindset

How gratitude revolutionised my mindset

Doris Murphy
I have spoken at length elsewhere about my battle with low mood and anxiety. One tool that I have embraced this year has been a gratitude journal. This simple technique has revolutionised my bedtime routine and mindset
Tactics to prevent rumination becoming your ruination

Tactics to prevent rumination becoming your ruination

Padraig O'Morain
Rumination is ruination is a phrase I repeat to myself every now and then. Rumination means brooding over and over on negative events in the past, present or future
Why are many of us living stressed lives, rather than thriving?

Why are many of us living stressed lives, rather than thriving?

Fiona Brennan
Until the birth of the Positive Psychology movement, most psychologists concerned themselves with fixing unhappiness, anxiety, stress and depression
Why I’m thankful for medication and the dangers of stopping without support

Why I’m thankful for medication and the dangers of stopping without support

Sinéad O Callaghan
Let’s take a few minutes to talk about medication. Antidepressants can be a useful tool in the battle against depression
Parenting is a blessing and self care is essential

Parenting is a blessing and self care is essential

Kay Murphy
Whatever way we come to parenthood; planned, unplanned, IVF, surrogacy, fostering, adoption or other means; we know we are blessed, and bravely set off on a lifelong journey
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© A Lust For Life - Registered Charity Number 20157913. CHY Number 21993
A Lust For Life | Mental Health Charity Ireland
URGENT HELP
A Lust for Life does not provide crisis support, so if you or someone you are concerned about is in crisis and needs help urgently, please contact:
Pieta House
PIETA HOUSE
1800 247 247
..........................................................................................................................
Samaritans
SAMARITANS
116 123 (ROI & UK)
Childline
...........................................................................................................................
CHILDLINE
1800 666666
A Lust For Life | Mental Health Charity Ireland
URGENT HELP
A Lust for Life does not provide crisis support, so if you or someone you are concerned about is in crisis and needs help urgently, please contact
Pieta House
PIETA HOUSE
1800 247 247
.........................................................................
Childline
SAMARITANS
116 123 (ROI & UK)
.........................................................................
Samaritans
CHILDLINE
1800 666666
Howaya! We hope you’re enjoying A Lust for Life.
While you are here… can we ask you a favour?
We know, pop ups are absolutely no craic. But seeing as you are here anyway, which means you must be a sound head, we thought we’d tap you on the shoulder and ask for your help.
Make a one-time or regular donation
We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our work and so far together we have achieved great things! Please do continue to support us so we can provide future generations in Ireland with the resources to recognise and talk about their emotions, and equip them to navigate the ever-changing world around them as they grow.
Howaya! We hope you’re enjoying A Lust for Life. While you are here… can we ask you a favour?
We know, we know, pop ups are absolutely no craic. But seeing as you are here anyway, which means you must be a sound head, we thought we’d tap you on the shoulder and ask for your help
We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our work and so far together we have achieved great things! Please do continue to support us so we can provide future generations in Ireland with the resources to recognise and talk about their emotions, and equip them to navigate the ever-changing world around them as they grow
Make a one-time or regular donation