Walk in My Shoes Radio, Ireland’s only all-digital pop-up radio station was today launched by a host of mental health advocates, celebrity ambassadors and well-known presenters.
The station will broadcast live from St Patrick’s University Hospital from Monday 5th – Friday 9th October to mark World Mental Health Awareness Week. It is the only pop-up radio station dedicated to promoting positive mental health.
The schedule is, as follows:
7-9am: Aidan Power and Andrew Stanley
9-11am: Shay Byrne
11am-1pm: Richard Mulcahy and Laura Canavan Hayes
1pm-3pm: Colm Hayes
3pm-5pm: Ruth Scott
5pm-7pm: Presenters across the week include: Rebecca Horan, Corina Grant, Sile Seoige, Pamela Flood and Nikki Hayes
7pm-9pm: Presenters across the week include: Louise Heraghty, Sinead Lynch, Bressie and Alison Canavan
In addition to the above line up there will be guest presenters and appearances throughout the week.
The overall aim of Walk in My Shoes Radio is to encourage listeners to become involved in the conversation around mental health. Positive mental health and wellbeing should be a priority in all of our lives. Wallk in My Shoes Radio has an important message, taking action early by seeking support and professional advice to deal with mental health issues is vital.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, the station’s motto is ‘A small step, a huge difference’. During the week, station guests will share their stories of support and recovery, bringing to life the huge difference that can be made when we pay attention to our mental health.
Walk in My Shoes Radio has a fundraising target of €10,000 during its week on air. This €10,000 will fund free therapy sessions for 100 young people around Ireland. Donations can be made online or by texting “Shoes” to 57802 to donate €2.
Speaking at the launch event today, Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, said:
“Too many people with mental health difficulties are leaving it too late to seek help. The overall aim of Walk in My Shoes Radio is to encourage people to seek support and professional advice as early as possible. Our pop-up station is a small step in setting the mental health agenda, but it could make a huge difference to listeners lives if we can help them by imparting this important message. Prioritising your mental health is hugely important and we are committed to spreading that message this Mental Health Awareness Week”
Speaking about the launch, Sarah Surgenor, Head of Communications and Fundraising with St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services said:
“We are delighted to formally launch Walk in My Shoes Radio today. Our aim is to provide 70 hours of quality radio from October 5th – 9th, with the help of our fantastic celebrity ambassadors and mental health advocates. This station provides us with an amazing platform to encourage our listeners to prioiritise their mental health while raising vital funds that will provide free therapy sessions for 100 young Irish people.”
News about the pop – up station will be shared on Twitter (@walkinmyshoes) using the hashtag #WIMSFM