21-YEAR-OLD Robert Dawson has seen a lot in his young life and those experiences have led him to the launch of his new album and a public address at the Focus Ireland ‘Shine a Light on Homelessness’ sleep-out in Croke Park.
Having had many dealings with the mental health services and having experienced homelessness himself, Robert told the Limerick Post that he believes the services for people in mental distress “just aren’t good enough”.
In an act of acute despair last year, Robert took a massive overdose of pills and was admitted to psychiatric care at University Hospital Limerick.
“That’s the only way I got any help. I had presented at least a dozen times at the Emergency Department before that, warning them that I was afraid I would kill myself,” he told the Limerick Post.
“The services are no help to people in the moment. It’s only after something drastic happens, like a suicide attempt, that you get help and support. Otherwise you’re just sent away to deal with it down the road.
“I believe a lot of good people have died because of that.”
The singer-songwriter became homeless after the break-up of a relationship. He says he “just couldn’t find anywhere to live”.
“To get shelter, I was couch surfing, sometimes staying in Airbnbs. My mental health just went down the drain. It was incredibly difficult to have nowhere to call home and I will be speaking about that experience in Croke park on Friday night.”
Robert has now been housed in Castleconnell by Focus Ireland, but says the shadow of homelessness never goes away, even though his place in his apartment is now secure long term.
“I find it hard to feel secure. I have a home but I had another home once and it was taken away from me.”
His debut album, ‘Glory’, is filled with songs written about the experiences he has had in his young life. It was recorded and produced by Robert himself in his Castleconnell home.
“At the sleep out, I’ll be speaking to a lot of important people, people who fund the work that Focus Ireland does. I’m going to be involved in the campaign on an ongoing basis and that is an honour,” he said.
The Focus Ireland Shine a Light sleep-out took place in Croke Park on Friday, October 13. Anyone who would like to donate to the campaign can do so on FocusIreland.ie.
