My name is Brent Pope. I have been a professional sportsman, and an Irish television and media figure for over 30 years, but more significantly an advocate for greater mental health awareness and understanding. It was often difficult for me to share my troubled past, especially in the public domain, where it was easy to feel vulnerable and judged. I persevered, because by telling my story of a life battling with anxiety and depression, I hoped that it would eventually bring greater understanding and awareness to mental health issues across Ireland and beyond. And to allow permission for others, just like me, to start the process of recovery one small step at a time. I had to be brave and step out of my comfort zone so others could as well. At some stage during my journey I have worked with all of Ireland’s major mental health charities, not only as a fundraiser, but also sending the message from school pupils to CEOs that it’s ‘Ok not to feel Ok sometimes’, and ‘it’s absolutely ok to talk about it and ask for help’. As part of my own journey I have also trained and qualified as a psychotherapist so I can understand more about what ails me and others like me.

At the core of Brent Pope is the belief that, given I have a public persona, I can lend a voice to those who don’t have one and in doing so help make others’ lives better. And if I touch or save just one person in a room from going to the same dark places that I have been to then my role is fulfilled. But I can do more, I want to reach out to more people nationally and even internationally

Through my love of mental health art, the ‘ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM’ art project was conceptualised. What started as a national effort is quickly becoming a global awareness campaign as, in the short period of time since we launched, a “who’s who” of global corporations have joined the movement and adopted elephants to help encourage everyone to talk about the elephant in the room, mental health. Let’s all start the conversation around mental health issues, from the school yard to the board room. Because, regardless of age, sex and status, we all need to feel more comfortable about discussing our vulnerabilities. It is no longer acceptable to just ‘suck it up,’ ‘get on with life’ or to ‘deal with it’, clichés I was often told. So, I am appealing to you to show that you, your company, organisation, sporting club and community are determined to make talking about mental health a priority and that help is available to everybody in your organisation.

Lives are being lost every day through suicide and Ireland sadly continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in Europe. Let’s work together to eradicate that number and to protect each other so that nobody else is lost. I would be indebted if you would agree to participate by adopting an elephant for your organisation; you would be in exceptional company as many high-profile businesses, celebrities and artists have already generously agreed to be a part of the Elephant in the Room art initiative, which is quickly becoming a hugely successful mass participation event. Together we can help reframe the conversation about mental health in Ireland, so that at some stage in the perfect world, the elephant in the room will no longer exist. What a dream that would be!