Console, the national suicide prevention and bereavement charity, is to open an outreach service for the Mayo region based at Midfield in Swinford.
Ciaran Austin, director of service with Console, stated: “It is hoped the outreach service with accredited counsellor will be up and running by the end of May. There is no funding available to set up the service, but due to the increase of suicides in Mayo and the surrounding regions we have to act. We cannot take away the pain families, friends and work colleagues are going through but we can offer counselling and support. We can and will be here for them.”
Margaret Tierney, project development manager, said the new Console outreach centre is responding to the needs of the community. “We have people travelling on a weekly basis to our centre in Galway to avail of counselling and we have received a number of calls from the Mayo region and the surrounding areas to our helpline asking us for help. It is the ethos of Console to work in partnership with local agencies in the community and we look forward to building this relationship.”
Cllr Peter Roche, ambassador for Console in 2012, spoke about his son Colin who died by suicide in November 2010 and the pain that he and his family go through on a daily basis. Cllr Roche also spoke about Console and particularly the 1Life 24 hour freephone suicide prevention helpline (1800 247 100 ) which is operated by Console, urging anyone in suicidal distress to pick up the phone and get help. Fully qualified professional counsellors respond to calls seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Console was established in 2002 by Paul Kelly after he experienced the grief of losing a loved one by suicide. Since then Console has developed into a national organisation with centres in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Athlone, Wexford, Kildare and Mayo, supporting people in suicidal crisis and those bereaved by suicide, through professional counselling, support, and helpline services.
Console is 10 years in operation under the patronage of Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland.
For further information contact Margaret on mobile 087 7978130 or email [email protected]
