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IN RECENT YEARS, society has made significant strides in destigmatising mental health issues. There is more discussion than ever around mental health and strong promotion of mental wellness. However, we still need to address the elephant in the room. And that is the term “mental illness”.
The reality is society is still slow to call it out and use the phrase “mental illness”. But we should be embracing it so we can challenge stereotypes, foster a deeper understanding of the issue, and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those affected.
Language shapes our perceptions and attitudes. Using euphemisms or avoiding directly addressing mental illness inadvertently perpetuates the stigma surrounding it. A linguistic shift would help remove the veil of silence, and encourage open dialogue about mental illness, normalising the experience and fostering compassion.
Recent research undertaken by Shine’s See Change Programme tells us that almost three-quarters (72%) of people say they would not want to live with someone with a severe and enduring mental illness, despite the majority (75%) saying they don’t know what a severe and enduring mental illness is.
The survey shows that just 16% of people associated the term ‘severe and enduring mental illness’ with a mental health disorder or condition.
Our research also suggests that, with so many people struggling to identify with the term ‘severe and enduring mental illness,’ more work needs to be done to find new ways of making the language around mental health more accessible.
Today is World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, and Schizophrenia is a mental illness which is still misunderstood. In a joint effort between the University of Galway’s PSYcHE project, headed by professor of psychology Gary Donohoe, and Shine’s Headline Media Programme, researchers analysed 656 articles from 2021 that referenced schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychosis.
They found that while the overwhelming majority of articles avoided reinforcing stigma, very few articles actively challenged negative public perceptions. Only 12% provided information that confronted stereotypes, fewer than 3% included a contribution from someone with lived experience, and just 5% supplied a signpost to relevant support services.
Using the term “mental illness” challenges harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. By acknowledging mental illness as a legitimate health issue, we counter the narrative that these struggles are mere character flaws or personal weaknesses. Instead, we recognise them as multifaceted challenges that require understanding, support, and action.
A shift in language will challenge the damaging perception that individuals with mental illness are different and will instead create parity in the way we discuss and describe physical health and illness. This will help pave the way for a more inclusive society.
Embracing the phrase “mental illness” will facilitate empathy and understanding. If we discuss mental illness openly, we will create space for individuals to share their stories without fear of judgment or rejection. By humanising the experience of mental illness, we can build bridges of empathy and encourage compassion and support from others.
When we hear about the real-life struggles, triumphs, and resilience of individuals facing mental illness, it challenges our preconceived notions and fosters a sense of solidarity and connection. This will strengthen our collective responsibility to create a society that prioritises mental health and supports those who need it.
Shifting the conversation toward mental illness will propel us to take meaningful action. By openly discussing mental illness, we can generate awareness about available resources, options, and support networks. It would also encourage policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to allocate the resources needed to address the mental health crisis more effectively.
I believe owning the issue of mental illness will lead to increased funding for research, improved access to mental healthcare, and comprehensive mental health education. By centring the conversation on mental illness, we will amplify the voices of those affected and act as a catalyst for change that truly benefits society as a whole.
Our vision in Shine is of a more compassionate Ireland where those affected by mental illness and stigma are supported and included in all aspects of society. We specialise in supporting and educating individuals, family members and communities impacted by mental illness and stigma.
Today, Shine hosts an important national conference in Cork featuring inspiring keynote speakers, informative panel discussions, and engaging workshops designed to explore a wide range of topics related to mental health advocacy.
“SPEAK UP – Shine Conversations for Change,” aims to empower individuals and communities in the fight against mental health stigma. The MC is writer Stefanie Preissner, who has been a great advocate for good mental health. Together, we can create a future where conversations around mental health are catalysts for positive and transformative change.
Nicola Byrne is the CEO of Shine mental health charity. For more details on the conference and the work that Shine visit www.Shine.ie.
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What a shower of morons do they not realise that they are damaging the country’s reputation and damaging the company’s long term viability and reputation and therefore it’s ability to offer any more money to shore up the fund. Why are SIPTU not talking about themselves putting more money into their own staff DB pension which is also in deficit. More of the same do as we say don’t do as we do.
No one wants to strike,aerlingus workers have paid into their pensions,are you telling me if someone told you the money you paid into was gone ,you would just say ok.
It did happen to my DC pension scheme following the market collapse but as I was in the private sector there was nothing I or anyone could do. So I still say these morons are wrong and expecting their employer to make up a market shortfall in their pension is nonsense. Tell them to wake up and live in the real world .
As bad as the esb workers threatening to strike during Xmas.
Haven’t SIPTU reduced the benefits from their own Pension Fund due to stock market realities ? Surely this would therefor lead to some reality in terms of how they would deal with shortfalls in Pensions within their Members own Company Funds.
It seems that reality can be replaced in the current circumstance by bully boy greed and plundering as SIPTU sees the current Government as a soft target in the run up to Local and EU Elections.
Isn’t it just wonderful to see such revolting dishonesty where a National Airline and our Major Airports can be closed to travellers on a National Holiday whether they are tourists or business people.
Are we insane to be behaving in this fashion in the middle of the worst economic storm to ever hit our shores or is this madness simply an expression of our greed as a people?
Dont be worrying about the workers Rodgers just as long as the government Ministers and the bond holders are looked after by the Irish tax payer.
Paul Mc, I would like to agree with you but it is true that SIPTU is doing what Aer Lingus want to do. This is 100% gross hypocracy from SIPTU. Of course it doesnt help the airlines case when the CEO gets 1.2 million per year plus a pension top up of about 8%.
Ah to have the luxury of striking.
My entire company lost our pensions too, but as we’re private sector we’re attempting to deal with it privately, ie without pissing off the general public in the process.
SIPTUS PR department logging in en masse to give the thumbs down to any dissenting voice.
I’d say pretty much every private sector worker in the country who had a pension would have a major shortfall after the crash, but we don’t have the “hold the country to ransom when all eyes are on us” negotiating option.
We should ask them to comment on their own failure to deal with the deficit in their own DB pension scheme other than by just cutting their members’ benefits by 20 per cent without any consultation. If they won’t make up the shortfall why do they expect Aer Lingus and others to do it.
Aer Lingus have competitors. They could lose customers permanently to then over this fiasco. It’s always wise for employees to know who pays your wages. It’s your customers. No customers no job no pension. Risky move pissing off the people putting money in your pocket.
You can be sure all our Kildare street travellers will get away without and disruption to their jollies !!
I hope the ones that are not going to attend the parade in New York don’t bother to travel at all
Siptu . Shop stewards back handers brown envelopes . Baggage handler one week supervisor the next .
The Government has a duty to introduce legislation to ban all strikes on special occasions such as St Patricks week!
Has SIPTU executives any patriotic spirit or are they just “blackmailers” in executive clothing?
Do they not realise the Financial crisis this country is in ?
Is SIPTU going to destroy this country again or help to rebuild Ireland as a Tourist Destination ?
The Government should introduce legislation to fine SIPTU at least €100,000 per day if they go on strike at this time?
All the executives of SIPTU should disclose their salaries and all perks and should be dismissed from any Government appointments immediately if they go ahead with the strike.
The Government should withdraw any subsidy it pays to this trade union immediately.
First off all employees of the DAA and Aerlingus were told as part of there contract they had to join a union and join the company pension fund.If you failed to do either you were not given the job.
So fast forward a few years and the pension is screwed.The trustees of the pension, past and present governments and the DAA (Aer Rianta) and Aerlingus have all sat on the fence hoping that this crisis wouldn’t blow up in there face.
Every single employee of both companies has tried and wanted to get out of the pension for years.Every fornight or month employees are throwing there wages into a black hole with no hope of getting it back.
If we were allowed to pull out of the pension fund it would collapse and present retired staff would have no pension each month.
The other problem is both the DAA and Aerlingus stopped new employees from joining the pension scheme. This means that staff who are there 15yrs ect have no one behind them to contribute there pension in years to come.
Talks have been going on for over three years between the trustees union’s and companies. If the government think this will be resolved in four weeks there more stupid than I thought.Yes the strike will be inconvenient for travelling public for 4 hours. But its all the employees of DAA and Aerlingus have left.There democratic right to strike.
Only thing unions ever agreed with is benchmarking
Having accounted for all the CRC topups, TD pensions and other entitlements, how is this any different? Is it a class difference, say “i am entitled to it three times and its yours”. if the goverment does not support interests of common people, how else can they gain attention.
Who is forcing employees to join both union and pension fund? the union – SIPTU
Aerlingus staff do not want to continue paying into the old fund, and Air Lingus management agrees and want to create a new ‘defined benefits’ scheme.
The pension fund has never been viable, as it guarantees pensions payouts linked to final Salary. All risks are therefore taken by the newest employees, eg any fund losses. Its a classic Ponzi scheme.
The union championed and supported this pension while Aer lingus was state owned.
SIPTU is not willing to accept the reduced pension terms without a strike, as this, in their blinked minds, sets a presidence – and they need to stick to the standard union script that a company must also hurt as a warning, regardless of the reality(crash of 08 to 12).
I blame SIPTU organiser Dermot O’Loughlin for this impasse, he needs to be fired and replaced with someone who is not entrenched in antiquated union positions, they need to take a page from Germany’s unions – working closely with management to resolve issues.
Not this ugly, militant, grandstanding, 20th century form of union representation. What can we do to get this man fired and replaced with someone competent?
@peter o brien. Im sorry. Your wrong on most of your statements.As an employee of one of the companies involved in this dispute it was part of our contract to join the pension fund.When I mean contract I mean our employers contract.Nothing to do with siptu.
To explain again we were FORCED to join this pension. No ifs or buts.This was the way it was.You could never leave the pension unless you were leaving either company.
Please don’t take me for a fool.I know the truth about whats going on which is more then I can say for you
I’ve seen the contract and have friends that work in Aer Lingus as independent contractors.
The pensions fund and its contract stipulations were derived over many years between the government and SIPTU. If you are an independent contractor you do not need to pay into the fund, and you not entitled to any of its benefits..
The companies involved get no value from the fund, have no say how the fund is managed or invested, its independent.
As far as current employees wanting to move to a new separate fund.. Thats public knowledge, no insider info there, use google and you will find many references to it from both employees, unions, company, pensions board etc.
I can understand your anger at your current predicament, but you are not going to resolve this dispute by aggression, blackmail, threats etc.. The pension fund is under the direction of independent trustees, who haven’t had the backbone to state to members that the emperor(fund) has no clothes, only coming forward a couple of weeks ago to recommend cuts needed to save the fund…
If anything your anger should be directed to these fund trustees first, these supposed guardians of the fund, secondly to SIPTU for over promising pension entitlements to the determent of the current employees.
Why do you feel its the company/Aer Lingus management fault for the funds current and historic problems?
In the long term, facing the music now, sorting the pension issues out now and not kicking the can down the road (again) is good for both current employees and the companies involved.
Agree to cooperate with their employers. If fire a few to focus the attention of the rest
On the plus side, ferries will get a boost next weekend. I, for one, have booked with Irish Ferries for my long weekend trip to the UK. Takes longer but not worth the anxiety of wondering whether I’ll get there or not.
If employees were forced into pensions then surely legal action would be a good course of action. Take it to European court if necessary. Holding the country to ransom will only serve to alienate the public whereas I believe that people would support legal action. Similar to what ESB workers are doing.
have your say