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Bressie on what NOT to say to someone who's depressed

“It’s the most common illness in the country.”

DURING THE WEEK, Bressie stopped by for a High Table Interview about mental health.

He spoke candidly about his struggle with depression, anxiety and self-harm.

More than 500 people in Ireland die by suicide each year. Not all suicides are recorded as such so the actual figure is likely to be higher.

The majority of those who take their own lives in this country are men.

Bressie spoke to us about why the stereotypes of people who are depressed are “lethal and dangerous” and can lead to people who need help not seeking it.

He said many people put themselves under undue stress due to “the complete need to achieve all the time”.

If I’m a 35-year-old man I have to have kids and I have to have a mortgage – that’s a load of shite. You don’t have to have any of those things.

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Bressie said it’s “really naive” for people to think they’ll never have an issue with their mental health as everyone will have to deal with traumatic experiences and no one knows how they’ll handle something like a death or a job loss.

He noted how it’s strange that depression is “the most common illness in the country”, yet it’s the one illness that most people don’t seek help about.

Bressie also has some advice for the loved ones of a person suffering from depression.

He thinks people need to educate themselves on the subject and not tell the person they’re better off than a lot of other people and should ‘snap out of it’ – as this just adds guilt to what they’re already feeling.

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Bressie explores many issues related to mental health in his new book Me and My Mate Jeffrey. He also set up the blog My 1,000 Hours to help people look after their mental health.

People think the mind you have is the mind you’re given and that’s just that, which is not true. It’s like saying that you can’t improve your physical fitness. Of course you can, it takes a bit of time and dedication and commitment, it’s no different for your mental fitness.

Helplines: 

Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
Aware 1890 303 302 (depression, anxiety)
Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie – (suicide, self-harm)
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

Read: Bressie introduces his depression – his mate Jeffrey

Read: Suicides of more than 470 men in Ireland linked to recession

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84 Comments
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    Mute Richard Keogh
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    Sep 14th 2015, 4:34 PM

    Great, can’t wait, a DJ who isn’t afraid to play what people ask for instead of the rubbish the record companies insist other stations put on their play lists.

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    Mute Shane Kinsella
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    Sep 14th 2015, 5:57 PM

    He not gona have much luck with radio novas playlist. Same tired old songs played on rotation every hour or two.

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    Mute fear bán
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    Sep 14th 2015, 4:33 PM

    great news! let there be rock!

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    Mute paul farrell
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    Sep 14th 2015, 4:28 PM

    Legend …..

    129
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    Mute Grace Jeaney
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    Sep 14th 2015, 5:08 PM

    Loved John Clarke’s show, best music show on weekend radio, couldn’t believe they axed it. Sunday morning radio is dire talk clap trap!

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    Mute An Observer
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    Sep 14th 2015, 5:03 PM

    I’d usually stick up for 2fm before,because there were shows that I liked but the station has now become brutal. It seems anyone over 40 now is pushed to the weekend, where ironically, the best presenters are now. Big mistake moving Rick O’ Shea from weekdays though. Eoghann McDermott adds nothing to Drivetime that Will Leahy wasn’t already doing.

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    Mute John Johnson (KCCO)
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    Sep 14th 2015, 5:29 PM

    Delighted for him and Radio Nova.. About time someone stood up to RTE.

    If RTE didn’t get rid of popular presenters and popular shows maybe they wouldn’t be losing listeners by the shed load.

    RTE trying to bring Nova to court just stinks of pettiness.

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    Mute John Johnson (KCCO)
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    Sep 14th 2015, 5:30 PM

    Also great free advertising for John Clarkes new show starting 27/09/15..

    I’ll be sure to tune in!

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Sep 14th 2015, 7:40 PM

    What time? I love John Clarke, always plays great tunes and always made the music the star rather than talking too much.

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    Mute Anne O'Hara
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    Sep 14th 2015, 4:42 PM

    Fair play to him

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    Mute David Smyth
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    Sep 14th 2015, 4:47 PM

    Proper order

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Sep 14th 2015, 5:50 PM

    a proper DJ and a true gent , welcome back!

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    Mute Dave Smyth
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    Sep 14th 2015, 4:48 PM

    Proper order

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    Mute Derek McDonnell
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    Sep 14th 2015, 8:37 PM

    didn’t John Clarke start his career on Pirate Radio in the 80s and was it radio Nova. has the wheel turned dust circle

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    Mute John Crofton
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    Sep 14th 2015, 10:45 PM

    John heading back to his radio birthplace. NOVA. Rocking the bay.

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    Mute Karl Aisbitt
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    Sep 14th 2015, 8:14 PM

    I thought he was one of the chuckle brothers without my glasses on ..

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Sep 14th 2015, 6:57 PM

    I’m not a linguist but doesn’t the word “Nova” mean “new” or “novel” or “original”? They really can’t come up with a new name for a show?

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    Mute Eoghan Hogan
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    Sep 15th 2015, 5:07 AM

    In spanish nova means “it doesn’t go” vauxhall found that out after trying to market their vauxhall nova!

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    Mute Eoghan Hogan
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    Sep 15th 2015, 5:07 AM

    In spanish nova means “it doesn’t go” vauxhall found that out after trying to market their vauxhall nova!

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