Suicide: Understanding And Support

This is a partnership initiative led by the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly and supported by the Mid-Western Health Board. Its primary purpose is to provide a listening service for those who have been bereaved through suicide.

After dialogue with other similar projects throughout Ireland, it was decided to seek the cooperation of the Mid-Western Health Board so as to set up a suicide bereavement support service in the diocese. This cooperation was obtained in August 1998 and since October 1 1998, nine volunteers who engaged in a process to discern their particular rôles within this project, have participated in a training programme which sought to;

• develop the necessary personal awareness and listening skills,
• collate information upon suicide and bereavement as well as the services which could benefit those bereaved by suicide and
• ensure the administration and publicity of the service.

The close collaboration between the volunteers and personnel from within the Mid-Western Health Board is crucial to this initiative for two reasons. Firstly, the Health Board professional staff can provide additional training as well as the necessary ongoing support to the volunteers as they make themselves available to the suicide bereaved. Secondly, the trained volunteers can, when necessary, refer their callers to the Health Board professionals. Therefore, this community based listening service has access to the relevant Health Board services.

S.U.A.S. became operational on a pilot basis in October 1999. It now consists of trained volunteer personnel being contactable on Tuesday evenings between 7.30 to 9.00pm at 0504 26366 and via the 24-hour confidential call answering service so that the meeting with a listener can be arranged.

Contact SUAS any Tuesday
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
or by 24-hour answering service