Minister for Mental Health Backs Suicide Bereavement Campaign

national | public consultation / irish social forum | press release

Thursday March 20, 2008 16:17

by Console Snowdrop - Console

Console's Snowdrop Campaign in aid of Ireland's Suicide Bereaved will be back by the Minister for Mental Health.

Dublin 3pm:

The Minister for Mental Health, Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D. has announced that he will be supporting a major national campaign to raise awareness and funds for suicide bereavement.

Minister Devins will officially launch Console’s National Snowdrop Campaign in aid of Ireland’s Suicide Bereaved next Thursday, 27th March 2008 at 12.30pm.

The Snowdrop campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for counseling services for the thousands of people in whose lives have been torn apart by suicide in this country.

Every suicide has a serious impact on at least six people, and with an average 500 suicides per annum in this country, there are very few residents in Ireland who have not in some way, been touched by the knock on effects of such a tragic death.

Console’s Snowdrop Campaign is vital to raise funds to provide the very specific type of suicide bereavement counseling services that are unique to this form of bereavement.

The campaign also aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with suicide in Ireland. Over the last few decades, and in particular since the decriminalization of suicide in Ireland just 15 years, Irish Society has become much more understanding and informed about suicide.

There is still a long way to go in terms of letting people know that there is help out there and encouraging them to seek help. Paul Kelly from Console says, in their experience very few people who take their lives actually want to die.

“They just can’t bear the pain and if they would just pickup the phone and call ourselves or other organizations like Aware or the Samaritans, they could find a lot of help and support”.

The Snowdrop campaign, which Minister Devin will launch next Thursday and will continue until the end of April 2008 sees the introduction of annual national Snowdrop Days where the public will be encouraged to support the important cause by purchasing a snowdrop pin as a symbol of hope for €3.

For people who may not have the opportunity to purchase the pin during that period, Console has also launched a special mobile phone text number. The public can make a donation to Console’s Snowdrop campaign by texting “SNOW” to 57030 for a one off cost of €2.50, proceeds of which will go directly to the Console Snowdrop campaign.

Major retailers, Dunnes Stores and Marks and Spencers as well as a host of businesses throughout the country will be supporting Console’s Snowdrop Campaign by selling snowdrop pins in all of their retail outlets in Ireland from launch day until the end of April 2008.

Ends

Editors’ Notes:

Console was established in 2002 by families that had experienced the grief of losing a loved one through suicide to help the thousands of people whose lives were torn apart by the devastation of this loss.

Since its foundation, Console has developed into a professional organisation, responding to the needs of those bereaved through suicide within the community. Console is a national service with offices in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

A host of high profile figures have come on board to support Console’s Snowdrop Campaign and these names will be announced over the coming weeks.

Major retailers, Dunnes Stores and Marks and Spencers will be supporting Console’s Snowdrop Campaign by selling snowdrop pins in all of their retail outlets in Ireland from launch day until the end of April 2008.

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Kieran Goss Concert to Raise €50,000 for Console Centre for Children Living With Suicide

by Console - Console

Thu May 22, 2008 18:27

Kieran Goss Concert to Raise €50,000 for Console Centre for Children Living With Suicide

Top Singer and Songwriter Kieran Goss is putting on a special concert to raise up to €50,000 for a new Console Centre for Children Bereaved by Suicide.

All proceeds from The Kieran Goss Trio concert in Dublin's National Concert Hall On June 21st will go directly to Console to have the Children and Family centre up and running this July. Console is hoping to raise up to €50,000 from the event.

Margaret Tierney of Console says there is a very real and urgent need for the centre, which will be dedicated to providing support to young people who have been traumatized by suicide. "The type of specific support that will be provided to these children will not only help them through the agony they have experienced, but will serve to prevent further suicides in the future."

"We will be catering for children from all over Ireland and we anticipate a very significant demand for this bespoke service."

"The timing of the Kieran Goss concert is perfect for us, as we will be launching the centre in July and the funds raised from the concert are crucial to the success of this new initiative."

"Children who lose a family member or someone close to them experience a very different type of loss and bewilderment that can have a huge effect on their lives. Through the new Child and Family Centre, we can make a significant difference in helping them get on with their young lives and provide support that will help them in the future."

The concert will follow the June 6th release of Goss' first ever live recording; KIERAN GOSS TRIO LIVE. The album features Gareth Hughes on double bass and Ann Kinsella on backing vocals and was recorded during Kieran's 2006 Irish tour.

A spokesperson for Kieran Goss, said the concert is set to blow the audience away "Kieran is renowned for his warm and witty live performances."

Margaret says Console is thrilled to have Kieran Goss on board.

"We have been running concerts with Irish greats in aid of Console at the National Concert Hall for the past three years. Last year, we had Christy Moore and that was a sell-out! We are anticipating a huge response to the Kieran Goss Trio at the National Concert Hall, which will be hugely important to our fundraising."

In Ireland more people die by suicide than as a result of road traffic accidents. Every suicide has a serious impact on whole communities, and with an average of 500 suicides per annum in this country, there are very few residents in Ireland who have not in some way, been touched by the knock on effects of such a tragic death.

Over the last 20 years, Kieran Goss has quietly and consistently delivered songs of rare quality, and his wonderful, deceptively simple melodies have won him fans across the globe. But it's live, in front of an audience, where he really shines. Quite simply, a Kieran Goss show is an evening of great songs sung from the heart, delivered with consumate ease and humour. If you haven't yet seen Kieran Goss live, you absolutely must!

"Kieran is one of the most gifted performers around today. He has an amazing ability to reach out to his audience and connect with them in a very special way. This guy is the real deal, and that's what makes him the star he is."
Don Williams

Tickets: book online at the National Concert Hall website, www.nch.ie, or telephone the National Concert Hall Box Office: (01) 417 0000. Prices: €30/€45/€50 (Concessions available from the NCH Box Office).

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Minister for Mental Health Backs Suicide Bereavement Campaign

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