April 2024 Newsletter – Hope

Annabel has dedicated considerable time and energy working diligently to help guide Grow Mental Health, through our Re-imagining process, and the Trustees decision is that Annabel should continue her work with the implementation of the plan, to provide a consistent and informed approach. The Board recognises that Grow Mental Health is in the middle of some significant changes, and that Annabel`s strategic vision and leadership skills will undoubtedly help guide the Grow Community and Organisation through this period of change.  

The Board appreciates the importance of Annabel`s leadership experience, compassion and insight that have been placed into the Grow community, leading towards an exciting future for Grow with our members at its heart. Annabel continues to lead by example, through dedication, hard work and enthusiasm, while emphasising the quality of Grow`s people, staff and volunteers, and the potential to build on a strong culture in support of our members.  

The Board of Trustees would like to thank Annabel for all her work to date.  

John O Donnell 

Chairperson, Board of Trustees

What is a Summer Solstice – GO YELLOW Campaign?

Extra daylight helps our mood and our energy levels.  June 21st is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the Summer Solstice where the “sun is standing still” and marks the official beginning of Summer. Daylight increases our serotonin and melatonin levels which boosts our overall mood leading to better mental health and wellbeing. So here in Grow Mental Health that is definitely a cause for celebration.

Register here GO YELLOW event registration link.

Walking, running, stretching, picnicking, or hiking, this year you choose the event. Between June 20th and 23rd we need you, the people who know and support our work to organise local fundraising events which bring us together and allow us to enjoy the extra hours of daylight. 

It's easy all you need to do is:

1. Work out what lifts your spirit and create and event around that activity. Be it a hike, cycle, walk, yoga session, picnic, swim fitness challenge - whatever you like!

2. Register your event here GO YELLOW event registration link.
2. Generate and share your event (or event QR code) by each out to family, friends, colleagues, local businesses and asking for donations and/or support over the GO YELLOW weekend.
3. Gather for your event between 20 and 23 June wearing yellow.
4. Let us know how you got on by sharing on social media using. #GOYELLOWFORMENTALHEALTH and #GROWMENTALHEALTH

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels to learn about the fundraisers you can join in your area.

               

Why do we fundraise? Grow Mental Health provides free, non-judgmental support for those dealing with mental health challenges or life’s struggles. We have done so for over 50 years in Ireland. Our groups are open to anyone over the age of 18 and there are no waiting lists. People meet weekly and share their experience of overcoming their challenges, whether it be living with anxiety, depression, psychosis or making sense of a bereavement or an estranged relationship. Group members work through these issues together using our structured and proven 12 Step program. Thankfully people coming to our groups for support have never had to pay and we intend to keep it that way. Every cent raised through fundraising events like our Go Yellow campaign whether large or small helps us maintain and expand our meeting network, allowing us to reach even more people throughout Ireland either with in person or online meetings. You can donate today by clicking on this button.

HOPE & GROW
By John, Grow Group Member, Northwest Region

The very first response in answer to the question What Can Grow Offer You? is HOPE OF RECOVERY (Grow Program Book, Page 13). Hope can be defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a thing to happen. Our Grow leaflets and website include amongst reasons to join Grow "To find hope in our members stories which are shared at weekly support meetings". This is at the heart of Grow peer support, believing that we are all capable of helping others because "people feel less alone if they can talk about their experiences and can share coping strategies and what works for them". 

If there is hope for anyone, there is hope for me, if there is hope for me then there is hope for anyone (Grow Program Book p. 105).

The Grow Program teaches us that while Feelings are real but they may not correspond to the facts, however feelings can change how we think if we allow them to. What brings us hope is when we can find the space for new ideas and a new way of thinking that provides for greater possibilities and more opportunities for hope to flourish within ourselves.  

My feelings will get better as my habits of thinking and acting get better (Grow Program Book p. 24).

If we can reconcile that Hope itself is not an emotion, but is more a way of thinking, and if we can accept ultimately that we do have the capacity to control our thoughts, this provides us with grounds for further hope. If we understand that we have less direct control over our emotional feelings, then we can learn not to focus too much on our negative feelings.  

Step 9. We developed will power to do the right thing in spite of our feelings (Grow Program Book p. 15).

In my Grow group we often repeat the phrase `Mental health is caught not taught` when referring to the Grow Wisdom Mental Health can’t be taught, it has to be learned together. Hope is developed from sharing our experiences, thoughts, and friendship.  

At the end of Grow meetings, The Affirmation of Good is recited with these helpful words:

We hope for ourselves and wish to one another and to every human being, enduring friendships, an end to hostility, and the best in life, love and happiness (Grow Program Book p. 100).

HOPE IS THE GIFT
By Darragh, Grow Group member, Sligo

Hope is the Gift in Life that we are born with and die with. The Alpha and the Omega. Hope is the promise that we carry in life from Birth to Death and from Death to Life. 

Hope offers us a shield in response to our misdirected minds. My mind tells me lots of things - to be logical to be reasonable; what might happen what might never happen - robbing me of my alpha my omega...hope. 

Hope is seeing the Grow Book as a creative power by Cornelius Keogh: to help people grow through Grow. It's a lineage that passes through peoples words, their thoughts, and most of all their mindset and actions. Showing at meetings that you too can grow and grow. 

Hope is seeing someone try, seeing your problems in their eyes, seeing their heartbreak, their little mannerisms and quirks and perks and style. Hope is seeing someone smile and reminds us that the creative power has sustained after a rough emotional shower. 

Hope is the argument that repudiates death. That switches darkness to light, sadness to joy, despair to hope.

Hope is the joy at the Airport of Life. Of Births and deaths. Of arrivals and departures. The line that connects the heart to the brain. That in our final hour pushes back darkness and reminds us that we, like life's problems, too shall pass. 

Hope is the push of the alpha to the omega. The journey from earthly darkness to universal light. The driving force contained in all. So if you're ever lonely, sad, or in despair remember that hope is not a word but an energy contained in each other and everywhere.

TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE FOR GROW MENTAL HEALTH
by Síle Tracey, Grow Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising Manager

Tullamore local Jass Mollen went above and beyond to “change” her life for the better in recent months.

She knew her mental health was being impacted by both her weight and her mobility issues so she set herself a personal goal to become a healthier version of herself.

With the support of her friends, family, and the community of Grow Mental Health in the Midlands she began a health transformation journey to raise both awareness and funds for Grow Mental Health. Jass chose to make this a fundraiser as she attends a Tullamore Mental Health Peer Support Group run by Grow for support with her own mental health.

Jass said “I really wanted other people to know that this free weekly support is available to anyone over 18 without a referral or appointment in cities and towns all over Ireland. Attending my support group meant I felt strong enough to take on this ambitious personal goal and knowing that my group would be there to support me especially on the tougher days gave me the confidence. I couldn’t have achieved this without the weekly motivation and support of my Grow group. I wanted to give back to Grow for all the support I received”.

Under the close supervision of her doctor, Jass chose to take a slow and steady approach to achieving her goals and she is delighted with her healthier lifestyle. Jass lost two stone in weight and also shaved her head in December 2023 as part of the fundraiser.

Grow Mental Health Area Co-ordinator Michelle McCormick (pictured above with Jass) said, “We are so proud of what Jass has achieved both in terms of her own health and the amount of €1,200 which she has raised to support our work. With fundraisers like this Grow Mental Health will be able to continue to offer support free of charge to those who need it most and we urge others to consider raising fund to help us do this.

Grow Mental Health are the longest running mental health charity in Ireland and they run a network of peer support groups all over Ireland.

For more information on the supports offered by Grow Mental Health or to chat to us about fundraising ideas see grow.ie or call our info line on 0818 474474”.

SOUTHERN AND MID WEST REGIONAL WEEKEND
By Rob Stephen, Grow Group Member, Midwestern Region

Sixty five Grow members gathered in the Killarney Oaks Hotel, in the Kingdom of Kerry, from 22nd to 24th March for the annual regional Grow weekend.  The hotel was close to the beautiful Killarney National Park and within walking distance of Muckross House. Many Growers took the opportunity to reconnect with nature and with each other through outdoor rambles. Jerry Cronin hosted a table quiz on Friday night, which gave attendees time to digest a fine meal.  On Saturday morning, Growers were treated to a powerful and uplifting testimony, with a very happy ending, from Kanturk Grower Catherina. She was followed by guest speaker, Brian Hurley, a multi-award winning producer and broadcaster. Brian enthralled his audience with tales from his childhood (including an appearance on the Late Late Toy Show), his working life (with some anecdotes from his time producing The Today Show with Daithi and Maura) and some recent health challenges which he had overcome, much to the surprise of many medical professionals.  After lunch on Saturday, Jerry eased people into a relaxing afternoon with a meditation session. Some Grow members then took off to see the sights in Killarney Town, others headed off to Muckross House and nearby Torc Waterfall whilst a handful of Growers relaxed in the Hotel and caught up on the hurling league semi final between Limerick and Kilkenny. Some Growers were also sighted running around and taking a dip in the lake.

On Saturday evening there was a sumptuous gala dinner in a finely decorated ballroom and this was followed by some lively traditional music which prompted the more adventurous to get up for a dance. As the night wore on, many more Grow members enjoyed a dance and some members, including Ned from Limerick and Michael from Cork, performed a few pieces to give the two man band a break.

After a leisurely start on Sunday morning, Siobhan from one of the Limerick groups confidently told her story and that was greeted with delightful support from the Growers in attendance.  The morning was wrapped up with a Laughter Yoga workshop by Susan Dennehy.  This was initially greeted with much trepidation by many of the Grow members present, but the room was soon filled with a bunch of adults wandering around making an assortment of silly movements and sounds and culminating in much contagious laughter.  After a fine lunch, with a splendid dessert, Growers headed off, sad to see the weekend over but refreshed and energised nevertheless.

The feedback from the weekend was overwhelmingly positive with all Growers expressing deep gratitude to the friendly and helpful staff members present who ensured that everything ran smoothly. So much thanks to Mary Purcell and her team onsite: Jerry Cronin, Noreen O'Sullivan, Joan Diffley, Celia Brett & Danielle Londra.

MIDWEST TO WELCOME SANCTUARY RUNNERS FOR GREAT LIMERICK RUN
By Rob Stephen, Grow Group Member, Midwestern Region

The Great Limerick Run takes place on Sunday 5th May and Grow is once again delighted to be providing a base for the award winning Sanctuary Runners movement.  In 2019, 2022 and 2023 a large number of Sanctuary Runners from all over Ireland used Grow's Limerick premises, 33 Henry Street, as a meetup point before and after the Great Limerick Run event. The core Sanctuary Runner values are solidarity, friendship and respect and the group uses running/walking groups as a means to facilitate integration between different cultures. We wish everyone taking part a safe and enjoyable event.