The Elephant in the Room

up is a sign of excessive stress impacting your mental health. Feeling the need to constantly scroll through social media affects your mental well-being. Enduring a toxic work environment or a bullying boss takes a toll on your mental health. Bearing the responsibility of providing for your family and worrying about finances affects your mental health. It's time to open up about these issues and build a supportive community, says Namibian Astrid O’Callaghan, a mental health advocate who currently resides in Waterford, Ireland with her family. “By sharing our struggles, we lighten the load. A problem shared is a problem halved, and together, we can create a culture of understanding and support.”Through a good friend Astrid became involved in the Elephant in the Room project in Waterford which main aim is to create greater mental health awareness and understanding. It is the brainchild of Brent Pope, a professional sportsman and a prominent figure in Irish television and media for over 30 years, who believes that by sharing his story of battling anxiety and depression, he can encourage others facing similar struggles to begin their own journeys to recovery, one small step at a time. To spread the message that it is okay to sometimes not be okay and reach out for help, Brent created a concept of addressing the so called elephant in the room which often time is associated with stigma, discrimination and silence. Brent’s concept is for an ever-growing herd of amazing works of art (elephant sculptures of approximately four feet in height and length, decorated by professional artists and well-known Irish celebrities) displayed in reception areas and boardrooms of corporations to showcase their values; to identify themselves as business leaders that actively support mental health awareness in their workplace, and; to give people everywhere permission to talk about their mental health as openly as they would discuss a physical ailment, without judgement or discrimination, for the better well-being of the individual, family, workplace and society.Brent’s dream is to foster a society that exhibits greater awareness, understanding, compassion, and empathy regarding issues that are often difficult to discuss. With people feeling empowered to improve their own well-being by talking about their mental health openly and honestly. His ultimate goal is to see brightly coloured elephant in every corner of the global society – from schools to embassies to corporations as a symbol to normalizing conversations around mental health. Mental health carries such a stigma, says Astrid and often people assume there's something wrong with you if you need support. “For me, moving to Ireland during the height of COVID-19 was more mentally draining than most people realize. Loneliness is a leading cause of depression, and as social creatures, we need a support network. “Moving to a new continent with a different culture during a time of isolation was daunting for us, especially as parents of two small toddlers.”They had to put on their brave faces, admits Astrid, and work hard on their mental state and mindset to get to where they are today. Through the Elephant in the Room project, she witnessed the Waterford business community come together in amazing ways, prioritizing mental health in their firms. “This experience opened my eyes to the long road ahead in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in Namibia and Africa. Although people there might not be as open to discussing mental health yet, there's a definite need for awareness in the workplace, homes, and schools. I'm determined to be part of this change.”What she loves most about the project is how a big, colourful elephant gets people talking right away, bringing the topic of mental health into the open in a light-hearted manner. While organizing the project for Waterford, the team connected with amazing street artists who shared their perspectives on mental health, says Astrid. “Each person shared their story, making me realize how impactful this cause truly is.”The schools in Waterford does a fantastic job talking to kids about big feelings, she explains.“I took both my kids to meet Ellie and explained that this colourful elephant reminds us to talk about our big feelings and breathe through tough times. They loved it!”Ellie can spark discussions not only in the corporate world but also in schools and hospitals, says Astrid, reminding us in a vibrant way to nurture our mental health. She is a proud Namibian with African drums beating in her heart and strongly believes her home country can benefit from the initiative.“There is a reason our suicide rates are so high and we need to address it.”Astrid refers to former American president Barack Obama who said "to anyone out there who’s hurting – it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength".Her dream is to see multiple elephants across Africa and especially in Namibia. For now she’ll start small, tackling one elephant at a time, says Astrid. “Each elephant not only creates a safe space for discussing mental health and raising awareness, but the funds collected from adopting an elephant will also support local causes that assist those most in need.”Although Astrid had a couple of companies express interest, overall, the response in Namibia has been somewhat lukewarm. An Elephant Gala is planned for October in Windhoek which also coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month. The hope is that companies purchase tickets or tables for their employees for the gala which will also feature insightful talks on mental health awareness, the project, as well as the importance of it in Namibia. Astrid is also in discussions with the founders in Ireland to explore how they can participate in the gala.An elephant in your workplace is a public declaration of your commitment to supporting people’s well-being, says Astrid. “You’re showing that your corporate values have your people’s well-being as a priority, you’re creating an open culture around supporting and improving mental health in your workplace and you’re starting a conversation and signposting a clear structure in your organisation for support, access to resources and when required, direction to external professional clinical assistance.”Adopting an elephant is just the beginning; changing the stigma around mental health in Namibia is the real mission, says Astrid. Apart from the gala event, plans are also in the pipeline for a fun walk/run as well as an annual Wellness Day in Windhoek. “Our goal is to raise awareness in a fun, supportive way that becomes a part of everyday life.”Elephantintheroom.ie; brent@elephantintheroom.ie; Facebook: Elephant in The Room

The Elephant in the Room

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-27

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The Elephant in the Room

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-27

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