‘My mental health suffered badly’ – Ex-RTE star Joanna Donnelly opens up on seeking help to recover from ‘bad year’

Joanna also stepped down from her forecasting role with Met Eireann back in April 2025, describing it at the time as a “very, very tough decision”.

Following her departure she announced her bid to become President of Ireland, a decision which she now describes as the “biggest regret” of her life.

The mum-of-three explained that in the months following her RTE and Met Eireann departure was were difficult for her mentally.

However, thankfully, she is now doing much better.

Joanna said: “I’m better, is what I am.

“I’m really good, and the last couple of months in particular I’ve been really good. Obviously, last year was not a great year and honestly my mental health really suffered badly.

“But I went to therapy – and I’m going to say this, because a lot of people don’t know, but therapy is covered by your VHI insurance. It really helps.”

She told RSVP: “I know the word trauma gets thrown around an awful lot, and probably too much, but having to leave a job that I loved was traumatising, and having to leave in the circumstances that I left… it wasn’t good.”

Joanna now fills her time by sharing information about the weather on social media and plans to start offering public speaking courses.

She continued: “I also joined a performing arts group called the Dice Players in Palmerstown, to connect with the creative.

“I did a little play and the experience was wonderful. Learning to act is a skill and I really enjoyed that learning process. What I plan to do now is go back to the book and rewrite it to make it a good read.

“I’m writing other bits and pieces for newspapers when the occasion arises. I’m also giving a course in September in Palmerstown with the Dice Players on public speaking.

“After 30 years, I know how to do it and I know what doing it right and doing it wrong looks like.”