Today’s edition of The Today Show was a special programme dedicated to the issue of suicide and mental health awareness. Evelyn Collins joined The Today Show to talk about her experience of suicide. Evelyn spoke openly with Gavin Grace about how her younger brother Daniel died by suicide 2 years ago. Daniel was 22 years old and worked as a farmer on his home farm in West Cork. Evelyn describes how her family reacted to the news of his death and how they coped with Daniel’s decision to die by suicide. She described the support offered to her and her family by her local community. Evelyn also explained how she hopes that talking about her brother’s suicide will help remove the stigma associated with it.
As part of our coverage on suicide and mental health awareness throughout the week; today’s show also featured excerpts of interviews from guest speakers including Noreen Moloney from Ennis. Noreen’s husband and daughter died by suicide, she told The Today Show her story in a bid to help others who may be going through a difficult time; Fr. Harry Bohan, Parish Priest of Sixmilebridge and Fr. Donagh O’Meara, Parish Priest of Ogonnelloe and Tuamgraney – Bodyke discussed the role of the local priest for a family bereaved by suicide and how they are there to listen, Dr. Moosajee Bhamjee, Consultant Psychiatrist and former Clare TD discussed mental health and the challenges many face, while Owen O’Mahony, a volunteer and PRO of Clare Suicide Bereavement Support spoke about the services and supports available to those locally who are bereaved by suicide.
The Today Show panel discussed their views on suicide, depression, mental health services, awareness and education in Clare and indeed nationwide. Today’s speakers work with various groups to raise awareness in their communities. The panel included Dr. Billy O’Connell, a Miltown Malbay GP and Community Activist, Gerry Dobbins, Co-ordinator of the Clare branch of the Samaritans, Gerry Murphy, Treatment Team Leader at Bushypark Treatment Centre in Ennis and Maria Molloy of the Ennis Mental Health Association and volunteer with Mental Health Ireland.
Also on today’s show Dan Neville, Limerick West TD and founding member of the Irish Association of Suicidology spoke to Gavin Grace about his views on how the recession is having a serious impact on the number of suicides in Ireland. He also discussed how Ireland’s mental health services compared to those around the world.
If you have been affected by suicide, depression or mental ill health and if you want to talk to someone you can contact the below agencies who all provide a non-judgmental and confidential service.
You can contact Aware by calling their Helpline on 1890 303 302, the Samaritans on1850 60 90 90 or their Ennis branch on 065 6829 777, Clare Suicide Bereavement Support, based in Roslevan, Ennis on 086 056 5373 or 087 369 8315, Console on 1800 201 890 or see www.console.ie, Pieta House can be reached on 01 601 00 00 or see www.pieta.ie, Pieta House – Mid West (Limerick) on 061 48 44 44 and Bushy Park Treatment Centre in Ennis are contactable on 065 684 0944. Among the other groups and agencies working in this area is New Horizons who meet every Friday in St. Anthony’s Hall in Ennis from 8pm and Grow – the world community mental health movement in Ireland also meet in St. Anthony’s Hall every Monday from 8pm
You can contact The Today Show by email at [email protected] or text the show – Clare FM followed by your message to 53030
