About A Lust for Life
We believe mental health education is a right, not a privilege.
A Lust for Life is an award winning youth mental health charity which gives children the skills to manage emotions, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges.
1 in 5 primary school children in Ireland are already showing signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
This is unacceptable, especially because it is preventable.
And we are the ones who can prevent it.
OUR VISION
A world where every child and young person mentally, emotionally and socially thrives.
OUR MISSION
To empower and educate all children and young people in Ireland through early preventative mental health programmes driving positive changes in their lives and our world.
To date, we’ve reached…
169,859
Children
5,742
Classrooms
1,563
Primary Schools
...and with your support, we can reach every child in Ireland.
The Story of Rise Up
In 2023, a few sound heads (Bressie, Shane Davitt, Ray Carolan, Joe Nangle, Colin Clarke, and Paul Boyce) came together to start The Rising. At that time, The Rising was a 330km kayak down the mighty River Shannon to raise vital funds for A Lust for Life. Not only that, they raised awareness and sparked conversations about youth mental health along the way. The River Shannon is a metaphor for life - there are good parts, rough parts, beautiful parts and not-so-beautiful parts. Life is not a straight line, and the heroes who took on The Rising 2023 proved that we can get through it together, and that early mental health education is the way forward.
In 2024, The Rising became a movement. It was more than just a physical challenge - it was a journey of endurance, hope, and community. The Rising group got bigger (enter Ian Coyne, John Blake, Kipper Maguire, Brian Keogh, and Dee & Al Maser), as did the challenge. Starting with the 330km kayak of the River Shannon, these legends then cycled over 160km from Limerick to Kerry, and trekked to the top of Mt. Carrantuohill, Ireland's highest peak. In doing so, they raised over €250,000 for preventative mental health education for children across the country.
...and now it's your turn.
In the spirit of The Rising and what the team achieved, we're asking the people of Ireland to Rise Up for youth mental health. You can challenge yourself, donate your day, get creative, host an event - whatever takes your fancy.
You can Rise Up alone, with your friends, in work or school - however you do it, know that you will be the hand at our back and you will help provide preventative mental health education to thousands of children across Ireland.
“The children and I loved the programme, it was very user-friendly and very clearly planned out with precise objectives. It’s one of the best and most effective programmes I’ve used since I started teaching 19 years ago!”
Pamela Denton, Clonroche National School
Rise Up
By Rising Up, you can help us provide every child in Ireland with preventative mental health education.
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