OPEN DAY DUNDALK
For anyone who is interested in volunteering or would like to learn about what we do, SOSAD Ireland will be having an open day in our new Dundalk office between 2-8 pm this Friday at 31 Williamsons Place, Dundalk.
We look forward to seeing you!
SOSAD DUNDALK AND CAVAN
SOSAD Ireland is now planning to open 2 new branches in Dundalk and Cavan town. Official statistics suggest that both these areas have a very high suicide rate and SOSAD hopes that by providing our particular method of help and support, we can help those at risk and provide a range of services to those bereaved by suicide.
We are now recruiting for both towns and if you feel that you could help in any way, please contact us by e-mail at info@sosadireland.ie or call us on 041-9848754. We look forward to hearing from you!
OFFICIAL OPENING OF SOSAD HOUSE IN NAVAN
On Sunday June 13th we had the official opening of the SOSAD House and Councelling rooms in Navan. The Opening coincided with the return of the cyclists who took part in the Slane to Cavan Cycle for SOSAD and Suicide Awareness.
A good crowd gathered for the opening where Pamela Johnston, Peter Moroney and Marie Johnston, spoke passionately about the work being done in Navan by SOSAD to help prevent suicide and give help and support to anyone affected by suicide.
There was alos a Chinese Dragon Dance to remove all negativity from the house. This was very interesting and everybody present really enjoyed it.
Since the SOSAD House in Navan opened last September 97 have received free one to one counselling and the 24 hour emergency line (083 3712622) have received 252 calls. The SOSAD Suicide Bereavement Group in Navan met for the first time in July and they will meet monthly from now on.
An awful lot has been achieved by SOSAD in Meath and many people have been helped, but there is a lot more to be done. We have to raise the profile of SOSAD and make everyone aware of the specialist help and support we provide. If you think you can help us in any way at all, please call us on the number above or e-mail us through this website.
HOPE AFTER SUICIDE
Read a piece on the subject of hope after suicide, written by Shane Kelly of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Click here.
COUNSELLING
SOSAD has now opened its new offices and counselling rooms in Navan and now offer the full emergency call out service for the Meath area, backed up by free counselling for anyone affected by suicide. The 24 hour telephone number for Navan is 046 9031855.
In Drogheda we are based in 60 Trinity Street and our emergency number is 041 984 8754. We have a full range of supports and services available for anyone affected by suicide, all of which have no fees or charges.
PATRON - SHANE HORGAN
Irish rugby international Shane Horgan, has gladly accepted a request from Sosad Ireland, to become its new patron.
"I want to thank Sosad for asking me to be its patron. There were 460 official deaths caused by suicide in Ireland last year - if this was caused by anything else, then more would be done about it." said Shane at a Sosad press conference.
"I think we have all been affected by suicide, including myself. As a young man, the demographic that I am in is heavily affected by suicide, so anything that I can do at all to highlight it will be a good thing."
"We should not be scared of the issue and not sweep it under the carpet. It is time for us to step out of the darkness and come in to the light."
Shane hopes that his patronage and involvement with Sosad will encourage those at risk, or needing help and support, to contact someone rather than trying to cope alone.
(Images of Shane used by kind permission of INPHO)
