It’s impossible to seriously address mental health in Ireland without resolving our harmful relationship with alcohol, says Suzanne Costello.
Last month World Suicide Prevention Day was marked, and last week World Mental Health Day took place – it was good to see the important issues raised on these days being debated and heard.
The importance of good mental health is beginning to gain the recognition it deserves in Ireland. But it is impossible to be serious about addressing mental health in Ireland without also being serious about resolving our harmful relationship with alcohol.
Over the past ten years, progress, albeit slow, has been made towards reducing the stigma that exists around talking about mental health. It has been encouraging to see the bravery of individuals who have come forward to talk about their own experiences – it has a normalising effect on the issue and reduces the isolation of people who may feel alone in their struggles and it can encourage them to seek help.
We are also beginning to recognise and take seriously how particularly hard it can be for men to open up emotionally; the frankness of many high-profile individuals, particularly men, is changing our perspective; hearing successful and famous figures talk about their own mental health issues certainly explodes the myth that it is some kind of ‘weakness’.
Our harmful relationship with alcohol
So now we have started talking about our mental health we need to talk about how to look after it and addressing our harmful relationship with alcohol is a key part of that.
Every one of us will face challenges, sadness and loss at some time in our lives. To cope with these times when they come along it is essential we develop resilience and coping skills. Talking, a good support network, a purpose and direction in life and a healthy lifestyle help build resilience. Understanding the importance of these things in day-to-day life will not provide immunity to mental health problems but they will certainly reduce risk.
Critical to building that vital resilience is to have a low-risk relationship with alcohol. Alcohol can affect our ability to cope, manage and overcome everyday stresses and significant life events such as unemployment or bereavement.
Unfortunately in Ireland over half the population drink in a high-risk way.
Source: Suzanne Costello, thejournal.ie, 22/10/13
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