LIMERICK legend Ciaran Carey about the importance of looking after your mental health and discussing the stigma around addiction and depression.
Not only is Ciaran Carey an icon in Limerick for his exploits on the hurling field for both club and county, the Patrickswell native plays an important role in promoting mental health. Holding a BA in Counselling and Addiction Studies from ICHAS in Limerick, Carey has developed a new service called ‘MyMove‘ which aims to support to people who are looking to improve areas in their emotional and mental health.
Discussing the matter of mental health and addiction, Carey, an accredited member of Addiction Counsellors Ireland, highlighted the effect that such issues can cause to not only one person, but also those around that individual as he stated:
“Sometimes people probably don’t see the real knock on, the real domino effect that can happen… family members can also believe it or not can get emotionally as sick as the person in addiction.
“Addiction doesn’t take any breaks. It is always there waiting in the wings for someone who is under pressure.”
The former Limerick player mentioned the importance of influential high profile people coming out and speaking on the matter, sharing their own personal stories. Letting others know they are not alone.
And he also mentioned that mental health week is vital and is of value to everyone.
However, there could be more done, more often, suggested Carey.
“It comes only once every 12 months or once every two years and I suppose it should be kind of a lot more than that, it’s very serious… it’s fantastic to highlight it.
“What makes it extra special really is the amount of profiled people that come out and share their own stories… just to show in case anyone is struggling that they’re not unique… whether you play sport, whether you’re a bricklayer, you’re a nurse, you’re a teacher, it doesn’t really matter… it hits everybody and has no boundaries.”
The importance of speaking on the matter and discussing or sharing problems with one another should be more normalised and accepted and the benefits are there to be seen as he mentioned:
“Theres a huge amount of positive stories… people do get their lives back together, they do start a new chapter.”
Watch the full interview with Carey below.
For anyone seeking help, head to MyMove or contact 061-67396
The post WATCH: “Theres a huge amount of positive stories” | Limerick Legend Ciaran Carey talks ‘MyMove’ and the importance of looking after your mental health appeared first on Sporting Limerick.
