Mental Health Reform has called for support for the mental health of those on the margins of society. The call comes as the organisation takes part in the First Fortnight mental health arts festival in Dublin from 2nd to 12th January.
Mental Health Reform’s Director Orla Barry said: “We are delighted to be associated with First Fortnight in 2013, and to bring Pat Kinevane’s one-man show Silent back before the Dublin public. The play is a powerful exploration of isolation, homelessness and mental health difficulties. We hope that it will be the start of a conversation about mental health for people on the margins of society. As demand for mental health services increases, we need to remember the needs of the most marginalised in society.”
“The Government’s mental health policy, A Vision for Change, stresses the need for specialist mental health services for homeless people, people with substance abuse problems, and other vulnerable groups. Progress on implementing A Vision for Change has been much slower than hoped, and as we approach the seventh anniversary of the policy this January, it is timely to remind the Government of their commitment to provide vital services for these groups”, Ms. Barry continued.
Mental Health Reform will host a post-show discussion, Mental health on the margins, on the opening night of Silent, Thursday 10th January, with panellists Pat Kinevane, Sr. Stan Kennedy and Jim Walsh of the Irish Advocacy Network.
Silent runs at the Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th January, 8.00pm. For further information about the First Fortnight festival, see www.firstfortnight.ie.
