On Monday, January 23rd, 2012 Vodafone and Dublin GAA announced a unique initiative for the first games of the Allianz National Football and Hurling Leagues that will deliver a timely boost for promotion of mental health issues in Ireland.

The country’s largest total telecoms provider is to vacate its jersey sponsorship for the much anticipated opening Croke Park Spring Series football league clash with Kerry and hurling league meeting with Galway for Suicide or Survive. This is the first time a jersey logo will have been handed over by a sponsor to a charity for a competitive inter-county match.

The undertaking, which will see the SOS logo replace Vodafone’s for the two games, was initiated by and is being promoted through the Vodafone Ireland Foundation, which provides funding annually to a number of Irish charities.  SOS is one of Vodafone Ireland Foundation’s existing charity partners.

The two match initiative – for the eagerly awaited football league opener against Kerry on Saturday night, February 4th in Croke Park and the first hurling league game against Galway in Pearse Stadium on February 26th – will be built around a ‘Talk, Listen, Change’ (TLC) theme.  The objective is to encourage people enduring stress and other mental health challenges to open up about their difficulties, seek the support available and by doing so effect a positive change in their mental health.

Announcing the initiative at a press conference on the 23rd January, Vodafone Ireland Strategy Director Paul Ryan said:  “Mental health issues are more prevalent in Irish society today than ever before and suicide is now the leading cause of death among young people.  That shows how serious the problem is and the Dublin jersey is a great platform to raise awareness of these issues from.  We are delighted to support the on-going campaign around mental health issues by setting aside our logo for the Suicide or Survive charity for these games.”

Said Dublin GAA CEO John Costello:  “We didn’t have to think twice when Vodafone came to us with the idea of swapping their logo for that of the Suicide or Survive Charity for these games.  With one in four people experiencing mental health problems at some stage in their lives, it is essential that organisations like Dublin GAA and the GAA get behind efforts to encourage people to talk and look for the help that’s out there.”

CEO and founder of SOS, Caroline McGuigan described the joint Vodafone-Dublin GAA initiative as one of the most important developments since the organisation was established.  “This is a wonderful gesture by Vodafone and Dublin GAA.  It’s the biggest opportunity we have had as a charity to reach and educate people about mental health issues, not least breaking the stigma around them.  Between confirmed suicides and undetermined deaths, it’s estimated that 600 plus people die to suicide each year. That’s a two people per-day average, three times the number of deaths in 1980, for example, and three times the number of people killed on our roads.”

The Dublin Spring Series in Croke Park will this year involve the footballers’ opening Allianz League clash with Kerry on February 4^th, which has the Tyrone v Kildare game as a curtain raiser, plus two football and hurling Allianz League double headers.  As with last year’s Dublin Spring Series, the fixtures will include interval performances by some of the country’s best known entertainers.  Value is at the core of the Dublin Spring Series initiative, with the events very much priced for the family.  Adults can attend all three events for just €30 while a child’s ticket for the three fixtures will cost just €10.  Single match tickets are priced at €13 and €5 respectively. The Dublin County Board has also embarked on an innovative revenue share scheme whereby €1 from every €3 generated from ticket sales by Dublin clubs will be returned to them.

Read Carolines’ full speech from the press conference here.

Subscribers can make the donation by texting the word ‘SOS’ to 50300, with the entire proceeds going to the charity.

Are you or a loved one feeling suicidal or need to talk to someone?

If you have a tooth ache you would see your dentist, so don’t be embarrassed about getting help for your mental health. At some stage in everyone’s life their mental health dips and there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

The following are guidelines to follow if you a friend or a loved one are in a crisis:-

•    Call 1 Life – 1life is a 24 hour suicide prevention Helpline and Text Message service, for anyone in suicidal distress Call Tel No 1800 247 100 or text HELP to 51444
•    Talk to a friend, family member or someone you can trust to tell them what way you are feeling
•    Contact your local doctor
•    At night-time, contact a GP Out of Hours Service
•    Go to, or call, the Accident & Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.
•    Contact emergency services by calling 999 or 112

You will find a list here is useful contact details for organisation that can help you