Sinead O’Connor mental health crisis

Sinead O’Connor in mental health crisis

Mental health crisis is a terrifying time, this feature gives advice and information on getting help at times of emergency.

By Liz Lockhart

This week has seen much sad news surrounding the mental health of Irish singer Sinead O’Connor. Sinead is probably best remembered for her beautiful and fragile rendition of the song ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’.

In what could be interpreted as a desperate state Sinead took to Twitter begging for help with her current mental health crisis. Her tweets on 11.01.12 are a cause for concern and we highlight them here as many of our readers will be able to relate to the vulnerable singer, however we are aware they may be triggering, so please do not read if you are feeling vulnerable. She writes:

‘I realise I will be in trouble 4 doing this but…ireland is a Very hard place to find help in’. She adds ‘ So having tried other ways 1^st im asking..Does any 1 know a psychiatrist in dublin or wicklow who could urgently see me today please? im really un-well…and in danger.’

Sineard O’Connor has been open about previous troubles with her mental health and is quoted on www.sinead-oconnor.com as having said ‘I was 17 when I signed my deal – and I came to feel that I hadn’t formed an identity of my own.’

She further says ‘I began to have this quiet little voice every now and then – although ‘voice’ is the wrong way to put it. It’s your own thoughts just gone completely skew-whiff: ‘Look at that tree, you might hang yourself on it.’

Sinead recently married Barry Herridge only to split from him three weeks later and then reconcile recently. This personal turmoil coupled with the media storm which has surrounded it has, quite understandably, been very difficult for Sinead.

Getting help

We hope that Sinead's tweets have met with a satisfactory response and that she is now receiving the help she needs, but would recommend that if they have not, or if you are suffering a similar crisis, the best course of action is to immediately seek professional help. You can:

See your G.P (emergency appointments should be available and ensure your voice is heard)
If you are receiving mental health help – speak to your social worker or community psychiatric nurse (CPN)
Call your local social services emergency duty team
If you have physically harmed, injured or taken an overdose call 999

Your local A & E, GP surgery, mental health team, social services and even the police should be able to point you to crisis services. The best thing you can do is seek help from your nearest authority.