Irish Rugby’s Hannah Tyrrell on Pieta House’s new initiative and the importance of asking for help

"The help and support is out there."

Irish rugby player Hannah Tyrrell is one of Ireland's top athletes. Having played for Ireland in rugby union, senior Ladies' Gaelic football for Dublin, as well as two FAI Women's Cup finals, it's safe to say the sports star is well and truly making a name for herself. But it's not just sports that Hannah is passionate about - she is also an ambassador for Pieta House. Having struggled with her own mental health when she was younger, Hannah found Pieta House very helpful when she needed support. "A few years ago Pieta House approached me and asked me to be an ambassador for them," she tells Her. "I was delighted because I had previously attended their services when I was struggling with an eating disorder and self harm. They really helped me out in a difficult time." Hannah Tyrell  This month, Hannah helped launch FeelGood with Pieta, a new initiative she says is all about: "Getting out there, getting active, getting involved with something, and feeling good about yourself (...) Being able to pick up something new that you might not have been doing recently." Hannah took up yoga herself recently, a change which she says has really helped her deal with life during lockdown - both mentally and physically. "I've been able to do something on my own and relax a little bit," she says, "and forget about all the other stress in my life to feel good and do something for myself." The toughest part of lockdown for Hannah was not having a busy schedule and a routine to stick to. "For me as someone who is always out and about, busy and travelling," she says. "I had to get into a new routine. I made myself get up a bit earlier and set a routine." "The help and support is out there," says Hannah, for anyone who might be feeling overwhelmed during these uncertain times. "Pieta House is still running. "Try find someone you can reach out and talk to, make sure you still have those lines of communication that are still open." To contact Pieta House text HELP to 51444 or call 1800 247 247. You can check out our full interview with Hannah here: 

20x20 is an ambitious two-year long initiative to better promote and champion women in sport.

With the tagline of "if she can't see it, she can't be it," the 20x20 movement is calling on everyone to #showyourstripes this March by making one of the following pledges:

• Pledge to PARTICIPATE or play more • Pledge to ATTEND more women’s sporting events • Pledge to PROMOTE, discuss, share, like and follow more female athlete

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