Limerick activist aims to ‘make life easier and happier’ through new website
IN A WORLD of fake news, misinformation, unverified material, and cyberbullying, the internet can be an unpleasant place to be these days.
Indeed, the mental health problems associated with ‘scrolling’ on certain websites is well documented.
One Limerick man, having grown tired of the problems the worldwide web can present, has established a one-stop shop providing mental health support, advocacy, and other activities under one banner.
“Our aim is simply to make life easier and happier,” says Dave Tierney, who lives at Ennis Road on Limerick’s northside, and who has founded www.mentaldiy.com.
“It’s a website for all forms of social. good resources. It can be anything from education, art and mental health to career support and volunteering support. We’ve some poetry, links to free games. And we are always looking for the public to send on any materials they want to share,” Dave explained.
Operational for around a year, Dave is working with a team of volunteers on the project.
“I have a background in psychology, education and various other communication disciplines. I have received some awards for helping out the community. During my time, I realised there is a big need for support and a lack of active services.”
People would seek routes to access this through Dave, and he said: “You don’t want to have to choose between people, so I wanted to have an online resource which all people can use.”
One of the people who is supporting mentaldiy.com is 34-year-old Brian Hayes, who has previously posted videos online about his own experiences when presenting to University Hospital Limerick’s emergency department for a mental health issue.
“David contacted me to offer help. I’d call him, text him. He really helped me out and we became friends through mental health. Then he built this site and asked me to come on board,” the father-of-three explained.
Brian’s role is something of an ambassador for mentaldiy.com.
“I talk a lot about my experiences, and people tell me theirs. I offer advice on how to help yourself every day. If you’re having a bad day, you’re not alone. Mental health issues can come to anyone at any time,” he added.
Dave is keen to stress his website should not be seen as a replacement for the services already in place.
Rather, it should act as a signpost to these supports.
“It’s a place where people go to find resources. Some people have mobility impairments. Some can’t travel as it’s expensive.
The activist does believe that more of the Irish government’s spend should go on mental health support.
“The World Health Organisation recommends we spend 12% of our budget on mental health. Ireland is only spending 5.1%.
The trend is getting worse every year, not better,” he said.
Dave says some of the treatment he sees given to people suffering from mental health issues “breaks my heart”.
“Imagine if someone is in the peak of despair, they go in for suicide support, but they get sent away,” he says.
“You don’t need a reason to help people though. It’s simply the right thing to do,” he concluded.