A man has received over 300,000 responses of support and encouragement from all across the globe after tweeting that he was “not okay” and “at rock bottom” with his mental health struggles.
When Edmund O’Leary – a father of twin boys, proud aviation fanatic, and mental health advocate originally from Ireland but living in Epsom, Surrey – took to Twitter this past weekend to ask people to “say hello” to help lift him from the particularly rough patch he was experiencing with his mental health, he probably didn’t expect such a response as overwhelming as the one he received.
Edmund revealed that his mental health has deteriorated during lockdown after being turned down for job after job and feeling isolated whilst living alone.
The father had also hoped to see his son Patrick graduate with a first-class degree, and was also due to take his other son Conner to Dublin to begin his PhD, but both were subsequently cancelled amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
But what started as a simple and candid call for support online, with Edmund stating: “I am not ok. Feeling rock bottom. Please take a few seconds to say hello if you see this tweet. Thank you.” turned into a poignant demonstration of the power of social media.
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A story that shows what an impact can be made when we take just a second to just look out for one another.
In just a short while after posting, Edmund’s tweet began to gain immense traction – with his name ‘Edmund’ also trending on the platform on Saturday morning – and went on to see messages of support coming in from all over the world.
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Hundreds of thousands of them, in fact.
From faces names and faces, to people sympathetic to his position, different companies and even an airport, Edmund truly felt the love from all four corners of the globe and it left him feeling “speechless”.
The tweet has now clocked over 300,000 likes, retweets and quote tweets, and close to 115,000 messages and counting from people taking a moment to say “hi” to Edmund, with may sharing encouraging words and even some simple pictures and video intended to lift his spirits.
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Hi Edmund! Wanted to share this video I filmed of elephants in Kenya. If you ever want to chat my DMs are open. pic.twitter.com/Fe7dlBkotk
Here's me in the A5 pass en route back to RAF Valley.
Look beneath those dark clouds and you'll see a little light shining through, there's always a little light in the darkness @emerald1910👍 pic.twitter.com/opxFbbOYSt
Hi Edmund. I bought my mom two kittens after her beloved cat of 19 years died. Here’s one of them, Lulu, playing. Things get better. They always do. pic.twitter.com/RK7ybWIWQk
Speaking to The Sunday Times on the widespread response he had received, Edmund said: “Most days are really rubbish, and yesterday was another day I was feeling really low, [so] I thought: I’m going to be honest [and] I am shocked at the degree of the response.
“It has been phenomenal, it was just crazy [and] if I were to respond to every single tweet, I’m not joking, I’d need to employ staff”.
He explained in an interview that the reaction to his “mundane” message had left him speechless.
“I have had depression for more than a decade and struggle with anxiety and PTSD, but this year has been absolutely horrendous [and] my mental health has really taken a battering” he said.
“I live on my own, I’m divorced [and] I don’t have much family support.”
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Luckily, hundreds of thousands of people on social media were able to step in and provide all the support he needed at a time when he needed it most.
Hi Edmund, you are not alone. So many people are feeling exactly that way at the minute. Never forget that you are loved & there are people who care about you. We see you like 747s; here’s one just for you, along with a picture of dawn in Dublin. Sending you hugs from back home. pic.twitter.com/x2TyI06uD7
If anything can help restore faith in humanity, watching the world rally around Edmund in his hour of need certainly goes a long way towards it, and with October being such a vital month in the mental health awareness calendar here in the UK, taking the time to check in with loved ones and those around us has never been more important than it is right now.
It’s true that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought with it its fair share of unexpected hurdles, but please don’t feel as though you ever need to suffer in silence.
If you or anyone you know is struggling at the moment, know that there is help available and there are many different places that you can reach out to for support right here in Greater Manchester.
It’s okay not be okay.
Manchester Mind – An organisation that has supported people in Manchester for over 30 years. Most services are now available over the phone, by email or video call. Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.
The GM Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust – The local NHS helpline is open 24/7 which you can call any time, day or night, if you feel your mental health is beginning to suffer: 0800 953 0285.
Andy’s Man Club – A group dedicated to starting conversations about mental health, assuring people that it’s ok to talk. You can contact them by email on: [email protected].
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably supports people via phone and webchat. You can call 0800 58 58 58 or speak to a support worker online. Open 5pm to midnight.
Samaritans – The Manchester & Salford Samaritans offer emotional support by telephone and email. The phone lines and email support are available 24/7. Call 116 123 or visit the website.
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The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year
Danny Jones
This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.
Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…
Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.
Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.
Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.
The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.
Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.
Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.
If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.
You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns.
We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.
Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing.
Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.
Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.
The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.
If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.
Stockport County release second drop in retro range as classic ‘Romania’ shirt is revived
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have released the latest drop in their collection of retro football kits and casualwear, resurrecting the legendary ‘Romania’ shirt as the centrepiece of the new range of old school casualwear.
If you’re a die-hard Hatter, we don’t need to tell what jersey we mean or how iconic it is within the club’s rich heritage.
We are, of course, talking about the 1996/97 third strip that County players and Stockport supporters alike donned in their droves during their historic EFL Cup run.
Teaming with local town centre hotspots SK1 Records and Underbank bar, The Spin Off, for an official launch event, here’s how they debuted it to the public:
It’s anyone’s guess as to which throwback fit they’ll go with next or whether they’ll simply complete the 96/97 revival, but it’s safe to say that both have gone down a treat with the local community.
Revolving around the bright and unforgettable yellow, blue and red jersey itself – the shirt that County had to swap into before they went on to knockout then-established Premier League side Blackburn Rovers away at Ewood Park – the colourway is just as bold as ever.
Here’s a closer look at the second County Classics kit:
It’s no surprise that just like the previous instalment, replicas have been snapped up in no time, as indeed has their current third kit for the 2025/26 campaign, which also pays homage to their history.
Dave Challinor’s side hosts Stevenage Town at Edgeley Park this Saturday, 13 December, before taking on Mansfield away the following weekend – you can expect a fair few Hatters to be wearing the third strip (both the original and the re-issue) at each.
You can see more from this second edition in the County Classic range down below; all of the items are now on sale, and find out how much each piece from the full collection costs HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
19th October 2020 
