Ents to host mental health charity event

Ria Walls gives the lowdown on the Shit Shirt Shindig

Trinity Ents will be hosting a charity event on Wednesday March 30 in the Button Factory in order to raise money for mental health causes.

The event, which is being organised in collaboration with Dublin University Hockey Club (DUHC), is in memory of a club member who tragically took his own life three years ago. The night is entitled the ‘Shit Shirt Shindig’ and is in aid of charity Pieta House, an organisation providing suicide prevention and mental health support. 

With doors opening at 11pm, the event will include raffles for charity alongside featuring some of Trinity’s own acts. Last Apollo, who have recently sold out their headline show at Whelans, will take to the stage to perform, alongside other artists from across college. Event-goers are encouraged to wear the worst shirts they own, so go find that Hawaiian print button-up that your mum told you not to buy and prepare yourself for what is set to be a memorable night for a great cause. 

Pre-pandemic, the same event was organised in 2019 by current Ents officer Greg Arrowsmith and DUHC during November; alongside the shirts, moustaches were sported in order to partake in Movember and raise awareness for men’s mental health. Similarly, this upcoming event will donate all proceeds to Pieta House. Around 400 attendees partied the night away, raising roughly €7000 for the charity between tickets, donations and raffles.

Since 2006, Pieta House have welcomed and assisted over 60,000 individuals in need of mental health assistance; from counselling, freephone helplines and texting services, the money raised on the night will directly aid and support the free services provided by the charity. It is through fundraisers and support – such as through events like the Shit Shirt Shindig – that Pieta are able to offer their services and run their charity. Their mission is to change the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, and replace it with messages of hope and self-care. The services available are accessible for all and can be reached through their website, pieta.ie.