A Miss Ireland hopeful has told how she found a reason to live by helping the homeless.
Bronwyn O’Connell was recently crowned Miss Dublin Central and is using the contest to encourage girls to believe in themselves.
The 25-year-old, who suffered crippling depression, said: “Life at home was difficult, it took its toll on me. I took on too many roles running the house.”
Bronwyn told how her confidence was shattered when she was targeted at school.
She added: “I was bullied verbally and they’d make fun of how I looked.
“I would have stayed in my bed all day on my own and not really eating and not wanting to do anything. I didn’t see the point.
“I felt I was on the wrong path. I was in a dark place and I told my mom, ‘I just don’t want to be here’.”
But helping the homeless and those suffering from mental health issues has given her a new lease of life.
She volunteers for charity Pieta House and said: “Working with people who have very little has given me a reason to grab life and live it to the fullest.”
Bronwyn will be competing with 29 other contestants for the Miss Ireland title on September 14 at the Helix Dublin.
