John, his family and Mad Pride a documentary by Louise Williams
A ‘mad proud’ day to tackle illness
Monday June 09 2008
A PIONEERING “Mad Pride Day” was staged yesterday in a bid to tackle the stigma and loneliness associated with mental illness.
The aim was to encourage society to do more to help people recovering from these illnesses.
The inaugural Mad Pride Day took place at Fitzgerald’s Park in Cork’s city-centre from lunchtime yesterday afternoon.
The event was very family-oriented and involved musicians, clowns and puppets as well as a food market.
The event also included a wide range of live music, from gospel music to blues, classical tones and even a barbershop choir.
Organiser John McCarthy, who is a campaigner on mental health issues, said he is confident that the day will be adopted by other Irish cities as part of the drive to highlight support measures for mental illness.
“This is about opening debate around the issue. The court of public opinion is where this battle will be won or lost and Mad Pride is a way that we can break down barriers.” Similar “Mad Pride” days have been held in the UK, Canada, the US and Europe. Mad pride events are generally held in the months of June and July.
- Olivia Kelleher http://www.independent.ie/national-news/a-mad-proud-day-to-tackle-illness-1402425.html
09 June 2008 Thousands turn out for first Mad Pride day (Irish Examiner)
MADNESS was embraced and celebrated yesterday during the country’s first Mad Pride Day.
In fact, the thousands who attended the pioneering event in Cork’s Fitzgerald’s Park had to pass a normality test conducted by rubber chicken-wielding clowns positioned at the gates.
Only those who displayed signs of madness got in — most of them holding their sides with laughter.
Mental health campaigner and event organiser, John McCarthy, said he was overwhelmed by the turnout — estimated at around 5,000.
“It’s a very emotional day for me,” he said, “The citizens of Cork have turned out to embrace mad people and say we love you.
“I’ve seen people walking around here today who live in isolation, who are shunned because of mental illness or depression.
“But they are being hugged today, they’re laughing. There is a sense of hope here today, and a sense of future change.”
The event was designed to tackle both the stigma and loneliness associated with mental health illness.
Mr McCarthy said he hoped the day would not alone encourage people with mental illness to find solidarity within their community, but also prompt wider society to do more to help people recovering from such illnesses.
“Today is a day all about being normal. In essence, what we have is the community waking up to its own responsibility to itself,” he said
He also dismissed criticism of his use of the word “mad”.
“The proof of the success of this event is in the turnout,” he said.
The free family fun day featured clowns, face painters, street theatre, live music and a food fair.
It was supported financially by Cork City Council. Mr McCarthy said he is confident of securing more city funding for another event next year.
And he hopes the initiative will be adopted by other Irish cities.
“This is about opening debate around the issue. The court of public opinion is where this battle will be won or lost, and Mad Pride is a way that we can break down barriers,” he said.
The patrons of Mad Pride Day included Mary Davis of Special Olympics Ireland, Cork City Council, Declan Ryan and The One Foundation, the Health Service Executive, as well as entertainers Jimmy McCarthy, Freddie White and Ger Wolfe.
Similar Mad Pride days have been held in the UK, Canada, the US and across Europe. http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=64564-qqqx=1.asp
