As we are nearing the end of Mental Health Awareness Week id like to show you another example where Dermot stepped up to contribute on this important issue.⠀ ⠀ First Fortnight is a charity-based organisation with the express aim of challenging mental health prejudice through the creative arts. How amazing is that as a concept!?? ⠀ ⠀ First Fortnight say "We believe the arts allow us to create a space where people can talk about mental health issues in a non-scripted manner. Once that conversation has begun, we hope this will then help to change people’s perceptions about an issue that affects us all with one in four of us set to experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives"⠀ ⠀ In 2016 @dermotkennedy performed in Dublin as part of the First Fortnight sessions , which was a series of artists coming together to raise awareness.⠀ Its great to see Dermot champion the issue , I think it's a beautiful way to recognise particularly men's mental health where such a stigma still lies. ⠀ ⠀ Many thanks to photographer Kieran Frost (@frost_.ie) for digging the archives + helping me out with his super pictures of Dermot from that night in 2016 🙏💚________________________ #dermotkennedy #dermotkennedyfanpage #islandsmilesandcardigans #dermotkennedylive #dermotkennedymusic #dermotkennedyfans #firstfortnight #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness (at Ireland, Europe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiuysznWxO/?igshid=1pnms9waity22

bressie Last week @a_lust_for_life and @firstfortnight put a live podcast together for @a_lust_for_life podcast series on the Irish mental health system #wherethereisawill. This six part series deconstructs all elements of the system and explores how it can be more supportive for our citizens. I shared the panel chaired by the incredible @paulamcloughlin1 with some amazing people. The podcast was produced by @ciaraoconnorwalsh . The job she had should not be underestimated . She was exposed to some difficult stories and situations. What a job she did. This is just the first step. The next step is developing accountability from our politicians and leaders when it comes to mental health. Only way this can be achieved is by a collective response. We all must come together on this. At a time when the world is becoming more fragmented we have to do the opposite. The podcast will be out at the end of this month . 🙏 pic @frost_ie

This Weekend | January 10th - 12th Gig Guide Featuring First Fortnight, Dublin Bowie Festival, Vinyl and Wine & more

This Weekend | January 10th - 12th Gig Guide Featuring .@firstfortnight Fortn @dublinbowiefest, @VinylnWine & more

The Last Mixed Tape’s weekly gig guide This Weekend features First Fortnight, Dublin Bowie Festival, Vinyl & Wine and more.

Friday – January 10th

Chewing On Tin Foil – Whelan’s Tickets: €15 Doors: 8 pm

Dublin Bowie Festival | The Bowie Ball – Whelan’s Tickets: €10 Doors: 11.30 pm

First Fortnight | Therapy Sessions curated by Ham Sandwich – The Workman’s Club Line-up: Laurie Shaw / Tebi Rex…

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#FirstFortnight: IFI to screen series of films on mental health this January

Following another hugely successful collaboration last year, the Irish Film Institute (IFI) once again teams up with mental health arts festival First Fortnight to present a series of screenings this January on the subject of mental health.

On Saturday, January 6th, The Departure, directed by Lana Wilson, follows a former punk turned Buddhist priest in Japan who has made a career out of…

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European Premiere Sells Out!

Director Ben Selkow traveled to Dublin, Ireland for BURIED ABOVE GROUND’s European Premiere at First Fortnight. 

First Fortnight is a two-week arts festival with the express aim of challenging mental health prejudice through the creative arts.

Festival Founder J. P Swaine, psychologist Dr. Keith Gaynor and Director Ben Selkow at the sold out European Premiere of BURIED ABOVE GROUND. The screening was held at Dublin, Ireland’s state of the art Science Gallery’s Paccar Theater.

The Science Gallery is featuring a cutting-edge exhibition on #TRAUMA and was one of the center pieces for events throughout the week.

Upon arrival, Ben kicked off the festival by having breakfast and conversation with the indomitable J.P Swaine, Co-Founder & Director of First Fortnight. A truly inspiring figure in the advocacy world in Ireland and rapidly extending the reach of First Fortnight across Europe. He works with a tremendous team of volunteers to conduct a first-class festival, curated with leading artists, advocates, politicians, stakeholders, and clinicians.

Prior to the screening, Ben was interviewed by SeanMoncrieff on NewstalkFM discussing the film, #PTSD and #mentalhealth. Check here for a link to the interview.

After seeing BURIED ABOVE GROUND posters throughout Dublin, Ben posted to Facebook: “First Fortnight’s marketing team is top notch. Saw adverts for BURIED ABOVE GROUND all over Dublin today. Nice surprise to catch it there.”

Buried Above Ground was very well received by a full theater. After the screening, Ben was joined by Dr. Keith Gaynor, Senior Clinical Psychologist at St John of God Hospital for a rousing Q&A discussion moderated by J.P Swaine.

Full house for European Premiere of BURIED ABOVE GROUND at Science Gallery Dublin.

Special thanks to Emma Hannon and Colin Fives from Science Gallery Dublin and J.P Swaine, Eithne Mcadam, Dave Keegan, Steve Cummins, and Kieran Frost of First Fortnight for a very successful European Premiere!

Photographs courtesy of Kieran Frost, Steve Cummins and Ben Selkow.

For more information about BURIED ABOVE GROUND: http://buriedaboveground.tv

If you would like to host a screening of BURIED ABOVE GROUND, please contact us http://buriedaboveground.tv/book-a-screening

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BURIED ABOVE GROUND Announces European Premiere at First Fortnight

We are pleased to announce our European premiere in Dublin, Ireland at the Science Gallery during  First Fortnight Festival on Thursday, January 14th at 6pm. 

First Fortnight is a 2-week event focused on the creative arts and culture that help fight the stigma associated with mental illness. The festival is one of the largest, most important festivals of its kind in the world. 

Special thanks to our presenting partner, Emma Hannon from the Science Gallery Dublin. During the festival, the Science Gallery is hosting a special exhibition on trauma: TRAUMA: BUILT TO BREAK is a free exhibition at the boundary of rupture and recovery. The exhibition runs through February 16th. 

After the screening, Director Ben Selkow will be joined by Dr. Keith Gaynor, senior clinical psychologist at St John of God Hospital, Stillorgan for a thoughtful and informative Q&A audience discussion. Dr Gaynor specializes in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is the author of the forthcoming book, Protecting Our Mental Health. 

Order First Fortnight tickets here: https://firstfortnight.ticketsolve.com/#/shows/873543880

For more information about BURIED ABOVE GROUND: http://buriedaboveground.tv

If you would like to host a screening of BURIED ABOVE GROUND, please contact us http://buriedaboveground.tv/book-a-screening

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DublinCityFM - Detox Interview

(via What Stigma? Short doc looks at Ireland’s mental health), and featuring my work from 2012 First Fortnight festival..