A man who survived two mental health breakdowns says he plans to continue using his experience to help others facing their own personal battles after being named 'Mr Shining Light 2023'.
Over recent months, Barry McGovern, 43, has been working tirelessly to promote more awareness of mental health and bravely opened up about his own struggles after a traumatic experience in his teenage years.
Barry entered the Shining Light Pageant 2023 for Mental Health Awareness and took home the title of 'Mr Shining Light 2023' at a glitzy event in the Everglades Hotel in Derry earlier this month.
Read more: NI man who survived two mental health breakdowns on mission to help others
Now in its third year, the pageant is open to people of all ages and sizes and focuses on boosting confidence and self-esteem, empowerment and friendship.
As well as raising awareness for mental health, he has also been fundraising for two charities, PIPS Suicide Prevention and Newpin Northern Ireland, to help provide support to everyone in extreme need of help, raising an impressive £7,000 in just a few months.
Originally from Killyclogher in Co Tyrone, Barry now lives in Belfast and is the manager of The Works in CastleCourt.
He suffered his first mental breakdown at the age of 12 and the second at 16 after he was raped in his teens. That experience sent Barry into a downward spiral and he became suicidal, resulting in him being institutionalised in a mental health facility for three months.
"I've always struggled with my mental health but despite all of this, I have grown within myself to become an extremely strong person," he previously told Belfast Live.
"I'm lucky to have a very strong family supporting me so it's important to me that I now help other people through situations that they have encountered.
"Being able to tell my story to people I encounter each day, friends and strangers alike, gives me the strength and hope that I can at least help one other person."
"Since first sharing my story a few months ago, the response has been absolutely fantastic. Hundreds of people have followed my journey from the start and many have reached out to me to offer support.
"So many men have also come forward and said they felt comfortable connecting with me to share their own experience and I was able to direct them to various support networks."
Barry says he now plans to use his platform as 'Mr Shining Light 2023', to further promote positive mental health. He will be raising awareness on mental health for Aware NI throughout 2023/24 to show those who are struggling that better and brighter days are ahead no matter how dark a situation may seem.
"To have won the pageant when the competition was so stiff was truly amazing. From the start to finish, it was an overwhelming experience," Barry added.
"I'm so lucky to have a great support network of family and friends willing me on. I'm so grateful to all of them and to Jennifer Taylor, who set up the annual Shining Light pageant.
"Being part of Shining Light has given me the platform to hopefully bring inspiration to others and help more people who are struggling with their own personal battles and mental health.
"Now as I begin my year as Mr Shining Light, I will be raising money for Aware NI, which works exclusively for people with depression and bipolar disorder in Northern Ireland which will also give me the opportunity to keep the awareness going."
You can keep up to date on Barry's progress via his Facebook page.
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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