Dublin Samaritans Unveils ‘Elephant in the (Garden) Room’ at Bloom

The Dublin Samaritans have proudly unveiled their postcard garden at Bord Bia Bloom, featuring a stunning sculpture from the 'Elephant in the Room' campaign. Designed by the talented artist Niall O'Laughlin, this elephant sculpture is dedicated to the late Charlie Bird, a fervent advocate for mental health and a steadfast supporter of Dublin Samaritans.

The garden, meticulously landscaped with a formal planting structure and a serene patio area, symbolizes the importance of addressing mental health issues openly. At the heart of this tranquil setting is the elephant sculpture, adorned with symbolic imagery representing the often-overlooked issues in our lives. This powerful visual metaphor aims to convey the message that by talking to Dublin Samaritans, individuals can address the 'elephants in the room' and find the support they need.

Mary McMahon, Director of Dublin Samaritans, commented, "The Elephant in the Garden Room is a stark reminder of the difficult topics we often avoid. By creating this garden, we hope to encourage people to have those necessary conversations about mental health. By talking to a Samaritan, you can address the 'elephant in the room' that we all have."

The Dublin Samaritans' garden at Bord Bia Bloom serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health awareness. Visitors to the garden can experience this impactful installation firsthand during the Bloom festival, running over the June Bank Holiday weekend from May 30th to June 3rd in the Phoenix Park.

Dublin Samaritans, the only 24/365 emotional support helpline covering the island of Ireland, provides a vital lifeline to thousands of people each year. The volunteer-run service is available 24/7 at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.ie.

Join us at Bord Bia Bloom and let's talk about the elephant in the (garden) room. 🌼🐘💬