First Fortnight Teams Up with HSE Office of Mental Health Engagement and Recovery for World Mental Health Day Video Project

First Fortnight and the HSE’s Office for Mental Health Engagement and Recovery have teamed up for World Mental Health Day 2021 to produce an innovative and exciting video project. The video, which centres around a specially commissioned piece of spoken word poetry by actor and poet Roxanna Nic Liam, is an exploration of the CHIME theory of mental health recovery. Watch the video HERE The video opens with an explanation of and reflection on CHIME by Michael Ryan, National Head of Mental Health Engagement and Recovery at the HSE. This is followed by a reflection on CHIME through a specially commissioned piece of spoken word poetry by poet and actor Roxanna Nic Liam. In her piece on CHIME, Roxanna asks “what is the journey between an acronym and self discovery?”. Her piece challenges the viewer to consider how CHIME might apply to their own life: “what is the bridge between these words and discovery?”. Roxanna’s piece is accompanied by music from Dublin-based session musician, Twiggy – a regular in the band Wild Youth’s line-up. About CHIME: The CHIME model of recovery is based on the notion that there are five principal elements necessary to enable good mental health. (i)                  Connectedness – recovery cannot take place in isolation; (ii)                Hope – optimism, belief and motivation are key to recovery; (iii)               Identity – recovery means being able to express one’s true identity; (iv)               Meaning – recovery means being able to achieve dreams and goals; (v)                Empowerment – recovery allows someone to achieve their full potential. Commenting on the project, Maria Fleming, CEO First Fortnight, said: “I’m grateful to the HSE for their collaboration on this project. Finding new ways to discuss issues in mental health is always a challenge but is absolutely crucial for the elimination of stigma. Roxanna’s wonderful piece certainly marks a refreshing and innovative intervention in the national conversation. I’m excited, too, for Roxanna’s contribution to our festival in January.” About Roxanna: Roxanna is an experienced actor and has held several high-profile roles in film, television and theatre. Roxanna’s film career has taken her from playing Cathy in Agnes Brown, to Orla in The General. On the small screen, Roxanna has played various roles in Fair City and played the part of Lyndsey in the acclaimed . Roxanna has had an expansive and varied stage career. She has held roles in productions as iconic and divergent as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Plough and the Stars, and The Cripple of Inismaan