Elephant in the Room
Elephant in the Room
About Elephant in the Room
The Elephant in the Room Movement is a social enterprise which started in Ireland and brings business, art and community together to help change the narrative around mental wellbeing all over the world, using the visual medium of art sculptures to challenge stigma of all kinds, promote a message of hope and kindness, and encourage open conversation about mental health in the workplace and everywhere.
DCU People wants our ‘Elephant in the Room’ sculpture to be both a symbol and a reminder that mental health challenges are a part of life, and seeking support is a sign of strength. It is a public declaration of our commitment to supporting our staff and students’ well-being and actively promoting an inclusive and open culture to normalise and de-stigmatise conversations around mental health.
DCU’s Elephant in the Room
Meet Jia – The Elephant in the Room. Jia stands as a symbol of the conversations we too often avoid. Mental health is an essential part of our lives, yet it is often the 'elephant in the room' - a topic that goes unspoken. By bringing it into the open, Jia encourages dialogue, awareness, and positive change. Your words have power - add your voice to the conversation and show your commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health. Visit our website for more information on supports and resources.
Jia - our Elephant in the Room
Our Elephant Design
Jia is inspired by the support system provided by relationships with other people. This design emphasises on how the support of loved ones can hold us together and brighten the day. Each piece of flora in this design has its own special meaning in flower language - the red rose represents romantic love, the azalea flower for family and zinnias for friendship. Other plants such as ivy, sunflowers and daisies symbolize positive outcomes that blossom from healthy relationships, such as loyalty, joy and cheerfulness. The gold oak leaf crown represents strength - the strength to reach out and keep going, even if it seems like the world is cracking.
Fiona Rutledge
Meet our Design Winner
Hi! I’m Fíona Rutledge, a B.Ed student at DCU, and I’m in my second year of the primary teaching course at St Pat’s. My hobbies include playing the violin, doing the odd arts and crafts project, and baking sweet treats to eat with my friends and family. I also designed DCU’s Elephant in the Room.
View all entries in our Elephant in the Room design competition.
Visit Jia and Get Involved
We invite all staff and students to visit the elephant installation to admire the winning design, discover the story behind it, and take a moment to reflect on your mental health and wellbeing.
Jia is on display in the O'Reilly Library foyer on Glasnevin Campus.
Supports and Resources for Mental Health and Wellbeing
If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. There are a range of supports for you.
Internal Supports
Staff members can:
- utilise our Employee Assistance Service (EAS)
- visit our DCU People Mental Wellbeing page for supports
- register to join our wellbeing-related training and workshops across the month of October
Students can visit DCU Healthy for a list of resources and supports.
External Supports
Here are some key external mental health resources and supports in Ireland that university staff and students can access:
24/7 Crisis Supports
- Samaritans – Free, confidential support for anyone in distress.
116 123 | www.samaritans.org/ireland - Pieta House – Support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
1800 247 247 | Text HELP to 51444 | www.pieta.ie - Text 50808 – Free 24/7 text support for anyone feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or in crisis.
Text HELLO to 50808 | www.text50808.ie
General Mental Health Supports
- Mental Health Ireland – Information and resources to promote mental wellbeing.
www.mentalhealthireland.ie - Aware – Support for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
1800 80 48 48 | www.aware.ie - HSE YourMentalHealth – National mental health support directory and information hub.
1800 111 888 | www.yourmentalhealth.ie
Workplace & Stress Support
- Grow Mental Health – Peer support groups for mental health recovery.
0818 474 474 | www.grow.ie - Shine – Support for those affected by mental health challenges, including family members.
01 541 3715 | www.shine.ie - See Change – Ireland’s national mental health stigma reduction programme.
www.seechange.ie
Specialist Supports
- LGBT Ireland – Mental health and wellbeing support for LGBTQ+ individuals.
1800 929 539 | www.lgbt.ie - Men’s Aid Ireland – Support for men experiencing domestic abuse or mental health challenges.
01 554 3811 | www.mensaid.ie - Women’s Aid – Support for women experiencing domestic abuse and related mental health concerns.
1800 341 900 | www.womensaid.ie