This article is from page 6 of the 2013-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
PIETA House Mid West is helping children as young as eight and people in their eighties from Clare in the battle against suicide and self harm. Tom McEvoy, Funding and Advocacy Department, with the suicide and self-harm crisis centre in the mid-west area said 659 people were helped by the service in Limerick last year. A further 100 family members were also counselled at the centre. Mr McEvoy said the significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance could be attributed to growing awareness of the organisation, but added that there is also a huge increase in the number of people requiring help. The majority of those needing assistance are young men aged 15 to 26 years old, supporting the statistic that 25 per cent of deaths among this age group is by suicide. Pieta House is targeting this demographic this year through a pilot project with the GAA in Limerick and a Mind Our Men campaign throughout the mid-west. “We are going through a male crisis in the country at the moment. We are particularly interested in reducing male suicide this year,” he said. Mr McEvoy explained that 90 per cent of calls made to Pieta House is by a mother, sister, partner or female friend of a man in crisis. “Women are better talkers and better at spotting issues,” he said. The Pieta employee, based in Ennis, advised however that if someone is calling Pieta House they should do so with the full knowledge of the person they are calling for. “If you think someone is suicidal ask them once the moment is right or you have an opportunity,” he said.
“Often people need to be asked if they are all right or need help,” he added.
“It is all about talking – male to male, male to female,” he said.
The prevention and intervention service continues to fundraise for its life-saving services in the Clare area.
The organisation is currently looking for volunteers to take part in its national bag pack on February 15 and 16 at Tesco in Kilrush and Ennis.
The flagship event – Darkness into Light walk – will take part in Lees Road on May 11.
More than 1,200 people took part in the Clare event last year.
“The community aspect of our ethos is our strength. We are reliant on the community to keep Pieta House open,” explained Mr McEvoy.
Those wishing to volunteer during the fundraisers can contact Tom on 087 2430700 or through tom@pieta. ie.
If you need to contact Pieta House Mid West urgently call 061 484444.