Caroline Kearns, of the Ré Nua Mental Health Service, and local artist Tamsin Argent, pictured at the 'Here For You' exhibition in Athlone Towncentre.

'Here For You' mental health awareness photo exhibition held in Athlone

Adrian Cusack

Published: Thu 9 Dec 2021, 7:10 PM

Last updated: Thu 9 Dec 2021, 7:26 PM

A local mental health awareness photography exhibition, entitled 'Here For You', took place in Athlone Towncentre last week.

The exhibition was supported by the Ré Nua Community Mental Health Service in Athlone, Mental Health Association Ireland, and the National Learning Network.

It was created by Caroline Kearns of Ré Nua, and the National Learning Network, and was designed by local artist Tamsin Argent.

The vision behind the exhibition was to encourage members of the public to get involved and go out to take photographs of their local community.

The photos taken were loaded with beauty and talent and therefore needed a platform to be shown off.

After a few days of hard work, the exhibition opened to the public in Athlone Towncentre and proved to be a great success.

Some of the wonderful photos on display at the exhibition.

It was on display from December 1 to December 5, and, alongside the beautiful photos, there was lots of free information available to the public (leaflets, flyers, phone numbers) for local health services that are 'Here For You'.

Now that the exhibition in the Towncentre has concluded, the photographs that were featured are going to be placed at random throughout the community in the coming days.

Anyone who finds one of the photos is asked to take it home or give it to a loved one. All of the pieces will also be attached with information about support services available locally.

''These are uncertain and unsettling times that we are living through. Let's support each other, and try to make a difference where we can," said Tamsin Argent.

"By volunteering your time, spreading awareness, helping others by giving them the opportunities they may need to grow, you may simply create a smile... Or you may save a life."

The organisers of the exhibition expressed their gratitude to Printing.com in Athlone which kindly supported the exhibition and printed all of the photos.

Here are some contact numbers which may be helpful:

Mental Health Line 24/7: 1800 111 888

Athlone/Midlands Samaritans: 09064 73113

Athlone Garda Station: 090 64 92609

Suicide Prevention Line: 1800 742745

Pieta House Midlands: 09064 24111

Aware: 01 6617211

Alcoholics Anonymous: 01 8420700 / 089 4579836

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000247