This article is from page 11 of the 2006-12-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
“THIS is like their Christmas in many ways because many of them don’t have families and would not be looking forward to Christmas Day.”
These are the words of Community Mental Health Nurse, Breda Latham, as she oversees the final dress rehearsal of participants in the concert being staged by mental health support network ‘Embrace’ in Glór on Wednesday, December 20.
“I hope that people come along and support it. That would be most important thing is that people would support it,” she said.
The concert will showcase talented performers who have been working with Embrace, most of whom are new to the stage. They will perform some original work including song and music.
“One in four people suffer mental health difficulties at one time in their life. Music, dance, poetry, story telling and painting allows our creative side to get in touch with ourselves. Building self-worth and self-esteem is all part of recovery and good mental health and it takes great courage to perform in front of a live audience,” Ms Latham explained.
“It is the first ever concert for many involved. It has been very scary and there have been a lot of ups and downs,” she said.
The launch of ‘Laughing Through Depression’, a book of jokes by Aidan Hastings and ‘Send me your Love’ a CD by Anthony Smith will take place on the night.
Mr Hastings will be accompanied on stage by two of his children, Geraldine and James, while his daughter, Claire will be selling the books.
“The hope is that the night will raise a good few pounds for people with disability. My book ‘Laughing Through Depression’ is ideal for The concert starts at 8pm tomorrow adults and kids as it is book full of (Wednesday) at Glor. clean jokes,” he said.
“We will have a good laugh on the night. There will be a lot of fun, a lot of old songs. It is therapeutic for the performers too. It gives us a lift and it is nice to be known that you’re wanted, it is a nice feeling”, he added.