Beginner’s pluck: Researcher and ambassador for Shine Cathy Shah

'Rabbit Hole and Rainbows' charts Cathy’s mental health struggles; her trauma, her moments of stigma, silence, and despair, as she battles addiction and dysfunctional relationships

Cathy Shah is an ambassador for Shine — which involves mental health advocacy. Picture: Conor McCabe

As the second child of seven, Cathy’s Dublin childhood was dysfunctional, yet books played an important role for her. 

“My mam was mad about books — I grew up surrounded by them, and I loved Roald Dahl.”