The recent cuts to mental health services in Ireland are detrimental to those who need help. The lack of a government mental health strategy is fuelling the suicide epidemic that is becoming frighteningly trivialised. Irish people have no problem going to doctors, dentists and chiropractors for a diagnosis, but as soon as we identify mental health issues within ourselves we feel ashamed.

The public health service is virtually non-existent and as a result people don’t know where to turn to when they need help. It is wrong that I can get a prescription for anti-depressants and sleeping tablets quicker than I can get an appointment to speak to a professional about why I feel so bad. We live in a quick-fix culture that wants the problem to go away, but not address why it’s there to begin with.

Mind your loved ones. We’re all different and deal with pain in our own way. Your company and understanding alone is invaluable to someone who is suffering. Be gentle with everyone and take care of those who you think might be strongest. Our social media obsession and exposure to showreels of the perfect life are skewing our ideas of happiness and success. You never know what war people are waging inside.

100 Voices was published in the Hot Press Mental Health Special in conjunction with Lyons Tea and Pieta House as part of the Now We're Talking Campaign. For more please visit hotpress.com/now-were-talking/