Shining a light on mental health

By Alex Redmond

As part of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, one of Shine a Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness’ longest serving volunteers Joe D’alton will launch his book of poetry ‘Serendipity Echoes of the Soul’ in City Hall.

City Hall will be lit up in green to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. As part of the event, a vigil will be held for all those who have died by suicide.

As a volunteer, Joe has worked with and helped people, hosting workshops focused on coping skills and emotional intelligence.

His book will focus on his life journey, touching on his struggles with mental health and his own reflection on life. Joe has financed this book himself and will donate all sales to Shine a Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness.

The event will be hosted by Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle and it is invitation only due to limited capacity. The talented writer and spoken word artist Stanley Notte will MC the event. There will also be a panel on the night featuring Pat McCarthy now retired former co-ordinator, Coiscéim Counselling Services, life coach Graham McCormack and Bruno Nicolai from Shine.

Following that, a Q&A about the book and other mental health-related issues will take place. Music will be provided by Sean Looney.

Stanley Notte said: “With ‘Serendipity Echoes of the Soul’, Joe D’alton has written a collection by mining his emotional responses to a wide range of human experience. On occasion, when the tough subjects are addressed (death, suicide, mental health), the collection can be unsettling.

“But any discomfort is soon eased by the balm of insight provided. Further balm is provided by a suite of poems that reflect on a camino journey. Here we feel the beauty and peace such an adventure provides – even if, like me, one has not been there,” he added.

“‘Serendipity Echoes of The Soul’ is a collection for all, but especially those interested in how humans work. There are, of course, no perfect answers provided: but there is a better understanding of the complexity of life on offer.”

To buy a book go to shinealightcork.ie.