Counselling Help to 20 Suicidal Irish People

We send you warm greetings from Ireland.

We have experienced many changes in operation since our inception as a charity in 2005.  Over the years we have covered many different projects and are grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with and support hundreds of different people within the community. However despite the different methods used our objective has remained the same throughout these years to offer support, assistance where possible, and walk with people with difficult life issues, trauma and suicidal ideation.

We have been approached to partner with a new coffee shop initiative, encouraging connection and talking through issues.  This is an exciting project which we hope will be realised in the fullness of time.  The idea is to have an up-market coffee shop serving good quality coffee with a welcoming ambience and empathic staff trained to listen.  It might be used as well to facilitate discussions around mental health or other topics that concern people.  Individual counselling would be available by appointment and accessible to those seeking it.  There are obviously many steps that need to be taken to realise this 'dream' but those carrying it are passionate about seeing the next generation freed from the stress of poor mental health - they also love coffee!!

Thanks to the generosity of one of GlobalGiving's funders we have initiated another project.  We intend to produce a short film to try and address the stigma and fear surrounding suicide and mental health issues.  We learned about some unpublished research that highlighted the fact that a significant percentage of people who did not carry through with plans to suicide, were helped spiritually.  This was a great encouragement and motivation to use this information to help the community and church to come 'on board'.  To become more natural, compassionate and less resistant to walking alongside people who are isolated, detached and in need of a listening ear.  We look forward to moving ahead with this project and hope that it might effect some change to those who view it.

Counselling continues in the meanwhile - both online with four different counsellors and face to face appointments with two.

We are also in preparations for our 7th candlelit walk across the Shannon River in Athlone.  We intend to hold a memorial service to remember the lives of all who were lost through trauma and suicide, followed by prayer and support to those left behind - the families and loved ones of those who are lost.  Our desire in this is to let the families and friends know that they are not alone and that we care.

Thank you once again for your support and encouragements to our small charity - they mean a lot to those who serve here.

God bless