Irish artists launch incredible version of 'You Are Not Alone' for Pieta House
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year in Ireland. Last year, sadly 451 people died by suicide here.
In a huge collective effort to raise awareness of the problem and let people know that there is help in the form of the incredible staff of Pieta House a host of Irish artists launched their version of Michael Jackson’s global hit, ‘You are Not Alone’.
The artists included are Ryan O’ Shaughnessy, Mary Bryne, Taken, Heroes and Hiding and the Dublin Gospel Choir to name a few.
The aim of the single release is to raise much needed funds for Pieta House.
Speaking about the release of the single, Ryan O’ Shaughnessy said: “I got involved because I feel it’s important for Irish people to discuss mental health. It’s important to give what you can to help those who need it. That’s what this single is all about”.
Pieta House has helped almost 28,000 people rebuild their lives since 2006 and has treated more than 5,000 people in each of the last three years.
“We are so honoured that Future Hope is donating the proceeds of this single to Pieta House,” says Brian Higgins, Pieta House CEO.
“'You Are Not Alone' and 'Future Hope' are both sentiments that we at Pieta try to espouse to the people who come through our doors. We would encourage everyone to download or buy the single so that it can be a real contender for this year’s Christmas number one in Ireland and more importantly, in doing so, raise funds to support our services into the future.”
The majority of people who come through the doors of Pieta House have no psychiatric history; they are in suicidal distress because of a life event. Suicide can happen to anybody.
Gavin Coll of Future Hope said, “If the ‘You Are Not Alone’ single can raise awareness of the services of Pieta House and in doing so, prevent one person from dying by suicide, then all our efforts will have been worthwhile.”
Approximately 14% of Pieta House’s annual income comes from statutory grants, but 86% of its funding needs to be raised through events such as Darkness into Light, initiatives such as the You Are Not Alone charity single and donations & fundraisers by the members of the public.
With 18 centres across the country, Pieta House offers counselling to people experiencing suicidal ideation and people who engage in self-harm and, as of this year, it also offers suicide bereavement counselling and operates the free 24-hour 1800 247 247 suicide helpline.
