This is a truly powerful statement against Mental Health cuts

12 student today made a powerful statement against the proposed mental health support cuts.

The students were in Phoenix Park dressed as grim reapers with scythes, each student represented one million of the 12 million cuts that Leo Varadkar took away from mental health. The students were in Phoenix park to launch the start of Cycle Against Suicide, an annual expedition that sees thousands cycling 1100km around the island of Ireland spreading one main message that it is ok not to feel ok and it is absolutely ok to ask for help. Reader and Cycle Against Suicide Ambassador Jessie Clohisey writes:

“The idea of reducing spending in mental health is shocking. We all, as individuals, can do so much to support those going through a difficult time. We can listen, chat, have a conversation, we can hug; but sometimes that’s just not enough. The Cycle Against Suicide message encourages people to hope, to ask for help when they need it. To think that professional services might not be available, when someone has been brave enough to reach out, is beyond frustrating. It absolutely breaks my heart. This is so important to me because I realise that mental ill health does not discriminate. Access to support services is a right, not a privilege. I might need to access these services myself, or maybe my family, or some of my friends. Government cuts would completely undermine this hope.”

Follow the Cycle Against suicide journey on Twitter using #Cycle800.