In an effort to highlight mental health in the rural community, Mitchelstown Macra will be screening the Irish film ‘Pilgrim Hill’ in the Corrin Event Centre in Fermoy for free, on May 4 at 7.15pm.
Mitchelstown Macra member Ellen Downey came up with the idea for the event, as she is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health.
In the past year, she has become an active ambassador for SeeChange, a charity promoting mental well-being.
‘Pilgrim Hill’ centres on the life of a farmer in Kerry, Jimmy, played by Ballyorgan actor Joe Mullins and it depicts how loneliness and isolation can affect a person’s mental health.
“Everybody has to deal with loneliness at some stage in their lives”
“Pilgrim Hill was about capturing where we are as a society and how, for one reason or another, some people unfortunately get left behind. We all know Jimmy Walsh. He exists in every community whether it be on a small farm in Kerry or a flat in Ballymun. It is a universal story.
“Everybody has to deal with loneliness at some stage in their lives,” Joe explained.
Ellen added that this is what Mitchelstown Macra are trying to embrace with the free film screening, as they want people to talk about mental health and remove the stigma that surrounds it.
“The film is more like a docudrama where we get to drop in on a bachelor farmer’s daily life and see the toll that looking after his ailing father and loneliness are having on his mental health. It’s raw, but that is what gives it reality,” Joe stressed.
“The film gives a powerful portrayal of an unspoken story for so many who suffer in silence in our communities,” Ellen told The Avondhu.
The screening is in association with mental health organisation, First Fortnight and would not be possible without the support of the Corrin Event Centre, Dairygold Co-operative Mitchelstown, the IFA and the Rural Youth Committee within Mitchelstown Macra.
In support of the initiative, Avondhu Macra are also giving a donation to First Fortnight and Mitchelstown Macra thanked Joe Mullins, who has been a huge support to them and he hopes that the audience will take something away from the screening.
The screening of ‘Pilgrim Hill’ will take place on Wednesday, May 4 in Corrin Event Centre, Fermoy, with several special guests coming along to speak on the night. Doors open at 7.15pm.
“We welcome everyone to come along and show your support for those who may be suffering in silence,” Ellen told The Avondhu.
For more information, contact Cathy Lane on 086-1516287 or log on to the Mitchelstown Macra Facebook page.
