They started out as a bunch of mates from Swords, gigging and busking together. Steadily, Kodaline have conquered hearts and minds in Ireland and around the world, through hard work, great songs and superb live performances. After a prolonged hiatus, with the release of their third Politics of Living, they ready to lend us their voices again. In an interview with Stephanie Costello, open up about mental health, about 'fantastic' President Michael D. Higgins, about social media, and about how staying grounded and sticking together is at the start of their success.

In the Hot Press Interview, Jason O'Toole meets with broadcaster Nikki Hayes. Starting as a teenager, Nikki battled with severe mental health problems and on more than one occasion attempted to take her own life. Finally, in 2015, she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Getting the right treatment now, and with a new high profile daily show on Classic Hits 4FM, she feels like a changed woman. In this exclusive interview, she recounts her own remarkable stor - and talks with fascinating candour about her attitudes to sex and love.

This fortnight issue was conducted in collaboration with Lyons Tea and Pieta House and is dedicated to exploring the issues of mental health, in the run up to World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Earlier this month, over 100 voices from throughout the Irish artist, sports and cultural community answered our call, providing deeply personal accounts of their struggles with mental health, their coping mechanisms, and what advice they’d give to other people in the same position as them. Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Villagers’ Conor O’Brien, author John Boyne, comedian Tommy Tiernan, radio DJ Meghann Scully, designer Holly Shortall, singer Maria Doyle Kennedy, and GAA star Sarah Houlihan were just some of those who gave responses. These 100 Voices have also been included in the newest issue of Hot Press.

We also spoke to Pieta House CEO Brian Higgins about the wide-ranging work that they do and about the challenges faced by this incredibly important charity. We met with the Limerick Suicide Watch, who have set a model for our cities, and communities, can help those who are in desperate need. We addressed the plight of some of the most vulnerable people in Irish society by reporting on the mental health problems faced by those in direct provision. We also spoke to sports analyst Brent Pope and Irish Women’s Rugby International Sene Naoupu about the mental health challenges faced by sports professionals.

We’ve also included important words from a huge variety of Ireland’s mental health charities and organisations, including Active Connections, Turn2Me, Grow, PCI College, the Remedy Clinic, Highfield Healthcare and the Samaritans.

Elsewhere, in the issue, Bristol-based band of the moment Idles talk toxic masculinity, battling personal demons and their album of the year contender Joy Is An Act of Resistance; Saint Sister talk about their stunning debut album Shape of Silence and understanding their Irish identity; Suede talk about their journey to self-understanding, and Irish singer-songwriter Carol Keogh shares her solutions for self-care.

In our film section, Roe McDermott meets with Ailbhe Griffith, a powerful woman who, in new film The Meeting, recreates her mediated encounter with the man who had previously sexually assaulted her, as she sought restorative justice.

In our book section, Peter McGoran takes a look at the 10 essential books which offer fresh perspectives on mental health.

On top of all that, we also have interviews with the likes of the Michael Pope, Judith Owens, and Vinci, as well as all the usual previews, reviews and news that you'd expect from Hot Press, including coverage of the newest releases from Christine and the Queens, Villagers and more.

/**/