The Rose of Tralee has kicked off this month.
Viewers tuned in for night one of the televised section of the festival.
The competition has come on leaps and bounds in recent years with the diversity and important conversations that happen on the stage in the Dome.
Galway Rose, Deirdre Jennings, bravely opened up about her mental health struggles.
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The 29-year-old opened up about her mental health “taking a dip”.
“The Leaving Cert year was a complex year. Unfortunately, dad was diagnosed with cancer at the start of that year – me and my dad were very close – and I suppose the whole year was just trying to process that.
“He passed away in December. My brain just put it into a little chest and tried to ignore it and not deal with it, but you can’t do that, it will always come out in the end. In my second year of college, I did have a dip in my mental health, and I do think it was just a delayed response,” she said on stage.
She went on to say that she knew that “couldn’t do it by myself anymore” after she turned sixteen but admitted “wouldn’t be who I am today” without going on her difficult journey.
“When you’re in a good place, that’s the best time to work on yourself.”
Galway Rose, Deirdre Jennings, shines a light on mental health during the #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/2sJB1Vsrl4
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“I made the step to ask for help. I remember asking my mother in her room and she brought me to the GP. It’s been a long journey, a lot of trial and error with medications and counselling and things, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.
“I don’t see it as a really bad thing in my life. I think it has made me so strong. I feel like I’ve mastered it somehow. I have a really happy life and I’m so blessed with everything that I have.
“I am happy most of the time – ninety per cent of the time – and that’s after years and years of getting there. When you’re in a good place, that’s the best time to work on yourself.”
She also shared advice for anyone else who may be struggling.
“Asking for help is a brave thing to do, but it’s an important thing to do. Secondly, out of all the things I’ve gotten help with, it was the kindness of people that was really important.”
The 2024 Rose of Tralee International Festival continues on RTÉ One on Tuesday 20th August from 8pm
