Limerick artist creates giant red elephant at home to support mental health awareness programme

WHAT BETTER way to point out an ‘elephant in the room’ than building an actual elephant?

Limerick artist Úna Heaton has created a structure of a Munster rugby-themed elephant, which she will display as part of a mental health awareness programme.

With Munster winning the URC title in Cape Town against the South African Stormers, what better time to showcase support than by creating a giant elephant, Munster-themed? Úna hopes that the art will be on display for Munster players and fans alike to view in a city venue, soon - see elephantintheroom.ie.

For some, depression, anxiety and low mood can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming in everyday life, albeit others may not notice. At times, talking about it or inwardly acknowledging these feelings can feel like an ‘elephant in the room’.

That is where the idea was born, and the art aims to signify that certain ‘elephants’ are meant to be seen. When Úna was approached by New Zealand-born rugby television analyst and journalist, Brent Pope, about the project, she was inspired to get on board.

Brent Pope is co-founder of the Elephant in the Room mental health campaign, which endeavours to combat the stigma associated with mental illness. Their latest project involves local artists from each province in Ireland creating an artistic structure of an elephant and picking a theme to represent their work.

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Limerick artist Úna chose Munster Rugby, with her design being a block red colour and having portraits of some of the teams’ greatest players, such as the late Anthony Foley, and Conor Murray and Keith Earls.

Brent Pope is a mental health advocate, particularly in the sporting world, from which he has over 30 years experience. “It was often difficult for me to share my troubled past, especially in the public domain, where it was easy to feel vulnerable and judged,” said Pope of this new Elephant in the Room initiative.

“I persevered, because by telling my story of a life battling with anxiety and depression, I hoped that it will eventually bring greater understanding to mental health issues across Ireland and beyond. I have also trained and qualified as a psychotherapist so I can understand more about what ails me and others like me”.