February Newsletter
2021
Loving the new Grow look
We celebrated the official launch of the new look and program book
Friends of Grow
Inspirational people who are raising funds on our behalf
Lauren of Ireland
Thanks so much Lauren, your support has made such a different to us!
Brian Kennedy
Bank of New York Mellon SD Team
Bus Éireann's Expressway
Friday Nights Miscellany
A series of national community events to revive that Friday feeling!
Grow Art Gallery
Creations by members to inspire us on our mental health journeys
Jungle fowl
Freestyle embroidery by Catherine, Charlestown Group
“Sit in the garden for 10 minutes every day to clear the cobwebs. The natural light is very good for you. I do some of my best embroidery in the garden.”
Sandycove Harbour in February
Mindf**k
Submit to The Grow Gallery
Volunteer Coordinator Role
Volunteer Coordinator
Role Summary
- The Board
- The Program Team
- Regional Teams
- Organizers and Recorders
- Panel Personnel
- Occasional Project volunteers
- Fundraisers
A little Bird
By Patrick Clifford
A little bird appears to awaken me at sunrise.
Could it be an angel from the heavens in a disguise?
This little bird comes to tell me everything will be fine.
Cheers me up with its chirpy sounds, when I feel like crying.
It’s like a magic word,
Or a secret of a little bird,
It never seems to fly away,
Always around when I pray.
A little bird told me love could be here to stay.
All the other birds have gone, all flown away.
This little bird is trying to let know its secret to tell.
Taking me away from reality, under its magical spell.
I never hope I see the day,
A little bird will fly away,
I want to fly on its wing,
Making my heart sing.
A little bird is there rain, hail or snow.
Easing my pain helping me relax and let go.
I’m on my own it seems to be my only friend.
Having faith a little bird is there till the very end.
Nothing is concealed or obscured,
When it’s me and a little bird,
My little bird I love you so,
On my windowsill to and fro,
A little bird, your my imagination and help me to cope with what’s real,
With you by my side I feel I have been delta hand of a perfect deal.
I love it when you bounce and bop,
Or when you’re still on a tree top,
A little bird always come but never go,
Every day you put on the perfect show.
Sometimes it seems almost strange,
A little bird has helped me change,
My heartaches knowing you will not always be there,
A little bird thank you for helping me live and become aware.
A little bird, a little bird, a little bird,
Without you I couldn’t listen or say a word.
My little friend, my little bird,
A little bird, my friend, a little bird.
Let’s Talk, Mental Health
“OUR MINDS MATTER”
9th 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Topics Include:
How to support someone who is unwell
Signs of mental illness
Resources available
How to maintain your mental health
Callout for Storytellers
Have you an interesting story that you would like to share? Now is your opportunity. Grow Mental Health is looking for people who would like to practice their storytelling skills.
It could be a story you read about somewhere. Maybe somebody told it to you. It might be a short story that you read and enjoyed. Maybe even one you wrote yourself! Perhaps even a short poem.
If you wish to take part in our storytelling event contact Denis at denfitzp@gmail.com.
Everyone has a story: What about yours?
Story-telling workshop for World Time to Talk Day
‘There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.’
Other ways to share your story
Book of Recovery Stories
YouTube Series
Lifeline to my Life
By Yvonne
A Little Kindness
By Jonathon
In my past experience when you look for help at night, the nurses want you to go back to bed and not cause a disturbance. But I got out of bed and went to the Nurses Station. I stood in the doorway and explained to the nurse, John, how I was. To my surprise, he invited me in. I took a seat. John offered me a cup of tea and put the kettle on. John was not rushing me.
I will go by what iI know,
NOT
by how I feel
– 1 of 5 Determinations –
The Grow Program
Regional Updates
Eastern
Western
Send us your thanks
Grow Mental Health is requesting everyone to send on any messages of thanks, which they have either shared or received from within the Grow Mental Health Family since Covid-19 began.
Perceptions
By Caroline Crotty
During that mobile conversation, I watched as a car drove towards me, did a U-turn and pulled up behind me at the side of the road. I described to my caller “this is strange, a car has pulled up and now a man is getting out and he’s walking towards me”. I immediately turned on my car’s engine and lights (ready to make my escape) and as the man approached my car, he stood a good distance away from my driver’s door, in fact putting himself at risk by standing in the road and waved gently at me. I opened my driver’s window (cautiously but enough to hear him). My mind was racing. A car parking behind me in the dark, a man approaching me – why? What could he want? He then asked “Are you okay? It’s just that I passed your car a couple of times and I wanted to make sure you’re okay and that everything is alright for you. Are you sick?” I explained that I was chatting on the mobile while I had phone reception and I thanked him. He returned to his car and drove away.
This story may seem trivial, however, my point is – our lives are ruled by our perceptions. Had I immediately driven away without speaking to that Good Samaritan I may have assumed I escaped from a potential attacker! From Attacker to Saviour in one fell swoop. I was right to be cautious, however my perception was wrong.
What is perception? Perception is the recognition and interpretation of sensory information. What that means is we take information from the world around us through our senses. We interpret and respond to that information using our brains, based on our previous experiences. For example, we watch, look and listen before deciding when it’s safe to cross the road. We are careful to eat food when steam is rising from it in case we burn our mouths. We decide about people we meet based on split-second information – we see a person in a fine tailored suit and decide he/she works in an office for example and might even go so far as to decide what job they might do.
Perception is a dominant force in our lives. People act in a certain way because they are concerned as to how others will perceive them. In other words, we alter or avoid certain behaviours based on our assumptions about other people’s perceptions of us. Worrying about how others perceive us is a waste of time. Do what you want; wear what you want; go where you want; say what you want – within the confines of the law and general kindness.
For more see www.carolinecrotty.ie
Mental Health Supports
By Caroline Crotty
- online counselling and support
- phone support
- text support