Majella and Daniel O’Donnell.
MAJELLA O’Donnell, wife of the county’s most famous crooner will share her experience of depression as part of a unique event taking place in Buncrana tomorrow (Thursday), organised by a suicide prevention group.
Majella O’Donnell bravely revealed last year how she has suffered from depression for much of her adult life and had contemplated suicide in the past.
The 51-year old mother-of-two will take part in Feelgood Fortnight, a two-week event promoting positivity, community spirit and ‘random acts of kindness’ which started on Saturday in Buncrana.
Majella, will be the guest speaker tomorrow at a special event entitled ‘Take Charge of Your Life – an afternoon to get you thinking’.
It is being organised by Buncrana Community Combating Suicide (BCCS) which said it was thrilled to secure such a high-profile speaker for the event.
Ruth Garvey-Williams spokesperson for BCCS said they were delighted that Majella had graciously agreed to support the Feelgood Fortnight despite her busy schedule.
“She will be telling us her story and sharing her experiences but there will also be a chance for people to ask her questions.
“It’s wonderful when someone with a celebrity status feels confident enough to speak out about depression because it breaks the taboo and tells people that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
“It helps people realise that they are not alone and that they are not odd, or strange,” Ms Garvey-Williams said.
She added that depression is a very widespread challenge for communities and most of people, at some point in their lives, will struggle with different aspects of it.
Majella, who married Daniel in 2002 and has two children n their twenties has spoken openly on RTE about her depression and how she hit rock bottom when her first marriage ended in England in the 1990s.
“It is the most dreadful disease you could possibly have. You are in this hole, way, way down and everyone else is at the top. Nobody can do anything for you, absolutely nobody. ….you genuinely believe the world would be much better without you including your children. I did with mine.”
She also revealed how she manages the condition with anti-depressants which she believes she will need for life.
The ‘Take Charge of Your Life’ afternoon includes “an exquisite afternoon tea” and will be held in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, on Thursday, August 2, from 2.30pm -5pm.
Tickets are €10 and available from the hotel or Mac’s bookshop. For details of other events visit www.feelgoodfortnight.com
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