ON THURSDAY, March 11, The Impartial Reporter will be dedicating its journalism towards encouraging people to talk about mental health and wellbeing.

There can be no doubt that mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing this community today.

Indeed, it was a growing issue long before we had even heard of the coronavirus, but the issue has certainly been exacerbated by the challenges of the past 12 months.

Everyone in this society has been placed under incredible pressure over the past year, including pupils and students not being able to go to school, not being able to meet their friends, not being able to play sport or to simply socialise. In other words, not being able to do what young people do.

Many of us have had to work from home, others have been placed on furlough and, unfortunately, many others have been made redundant as businesses have been forced to close as the economic reality of lockdown after lockdown hit hard.

Our health workers have been placed under immense strain and pressure as they fought this virus on the frontline, trying to save lives and keep themselves and their families healthy.

Elder citizens have been the most at risk, self-isolating or shielding, and unable to see family as we all tried to stem the flow of this deadly virus.

Sadly, as we write, 83 families in the Fermanagh and Omagh area – and well over 2,000 people in Northern Ireland – have lost loved ones to the covid-19 virus.

Understandably, all this takes a toll, especially on our mental health and wellbeing.

Too many lives have been lost and too many lives ruined needlessly in recent years, not just over the past year, and we, as a community, must try to do everything we can to let people know there is help out there.

And so, The Impartial Reporter wants to try and help. We have to let people who may be struggling know that you can get through the darkest of times, and that better times lie ahead.

We have to show them there is a way back from their distress; we have to break down the stigma associated with poor mental health that stops people from seeking help.

It is okay to not be okay. Mental health and struggling to maintain it, is an illness like any other and it is treatable – you can and will get better, and there are lots of experts and professionals out there who are only too willing to help.

So, next Thursday, March 11, The Impartial Reporter says let’s all talk about mental health and wellbeing.

We will be running a series of articles in the paper on the experiences and testimonies of people who have overcome mental health issues, as well as including expert advice, and highlighting some of the organisations that are out there and which are only too willing to help anyone.

Our social media channels will promote a day of positivity – no negative news for 24 hours.

We want people to know that, yes, these are tough times, possibly some of the toughest times ever, but we can all get through this.

There is more good out there than bad.

So, let’s spread the word, let’s get the message out there, and let’s make a difference.

For any further information, or if you want to help in any way, email mconway@impartialreporter.com.

It’s time to make a difference.