Story of bereavement takes top spot in St Patrick’s film competition

There were over 50 entries to the 2015 St Patrick's Mental Health Services short film competition, the winners of which were chosen at St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin on Tuesday, December 8th.

Jason Reddan, from Limerick, scooped the first prize for Who Cares, a poignant piece about a young woman and her struggle after the death of her younger brother.

Daiheny Cunma won second prize for the clever and creative, Thumbs Up which used "finger" characters to encourage people to reach out and talk if they are feeling down.

Third prize was won by Ignas Laugalis for the beautifully filmed, Dreams, a dramatic plea to live your life to the full.

"The competition is for everyone from amateurs to professionals. Some of these films were shot on an iPhone. Our aim is to reach young people through third level colleges and social media to bring more people to our campus," says Sarah Surgenor from St Patricks Mental Health Services.

“Many of the films this year were about reaching out for help – talking to someone or picking up the phone. The first step to solving a mental health problem is always talking,” adds Surgenor.

"We're keen to promote St Patricks Mental Health Services as a place people can come to other than for treatment so hosting the film competition is part of that. We want to put out a positive message about mental health and tackle the stigma which is still there," adds Paul Gilligan, chief executive of St Patricks Mental Health Services. St Patrick's also hosts a week long radio station, Walk in My Shoes (walkinmyshoes.ie) during Mental Health Week in October and the Twilight songwriting and poetry programme.

See Stpatricks.ie or StPatricksMHS on facebook

Sylvia Thompson was one of the judges at the Frame of Mind Short Film Competition run by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.