Well known rugby pundit Brent Pope has come up with a unique and powerful way of getting people to talk more openly and honestly about issues surrounding their mental health.
Earlier this year he founded “The Elephant in The Room Movement” an awareness campaign around mental health.
Pope, who is one of the country’s most recognised mental health advocates and himself a qualified psychotherapist, wanted to build a nationwide campaign that encouraged people in difficult places to reach out for help, one conversation at a time.
“Coming from a macho farming and rugby background, I thought I was weak as a man asking for help, there was little hope for me in those days and I felt shame, judgement guilt and loneliness around even trying to ask for help,” he said.
“Thankfully there has been a generational change, where talking honestly is now encouraged, but we are not there yet.”
“Everyone has their own elephant and emotions or feelings that they find hard to discuss, but they need to know that getting it out there is the first stage of the healing process, and that in my world a problem shared is so often a problem halved.”
As part of the project Pope commissioned 25 elephants from the Philippines, all painted by well-known artists, to then be auctioned off to raise funds for his charity partner the Samaritans.
“The most pleasing buy-in has been from the corporates and organisations who have had their own elephants commissioned in their brand colours.”
“There are already some wonderful creative additions to their workplace appearing all over the country.”
“I asked Irish rugby star Caelian Doris (one of our ambassadors) and Irish Rugby Media Officer Peter Breen if we could get an Irish Rugby elephant commissioned and signed by all the players and management.”
“One of Ireland’s best known artists Mark Baker did a remarkable job of capturing this magnificent Ireland team and while the Rugby World Cup dream has been postponed, they will still go down as one of Ireland’s greatest.
“We have already received wonderful corporate bids, but before it ends we hope to try and raise as much as we can so we can continue to roll out the elephants to hospitals, schools and workplaces, and also donate profits to the Samaritans, who save lives every day.”
“My dream is to have an elephant in every school room to boardroom to give those that suffer in silence a voice.”
“This is a unique piece of Irish rugby memorabilia, a one of a kind celebration of Ireland’s wonderful rugby team but more importantly an opportunity to show you care.:
Bidding will end after the Rugby World Cup Final.
To bid or find out more visit www.elephantintheroom.ie.
