Cash boost for suicide prevention service

A LOCAL group that provides a vital suicide prevention service has received a welcome cash boost that will enable it to continue its crucial work for another 12 months.

According to the CSO, 507 people took their own lives in Ireland in 2012 and while there are no official figures for suicide rates in Finglas and Ballymun, many believe that the area is one of worst affected in the country.

The Finglas Suicide Network (FSN) was established six years ago in response to an alarming increase in local suicide rates but had been facing an uncertain future recently due to a shortage of funds.

However, its future has now been secured, for the medium term at least, with confirmation earlier this month that an application for e25,000 in funding has been approved.

Local councillor John Redmond (Lab) has been involved with FSN for several years and had lobbied his party colleagues in Government to approve the funding application.

“Last year funding ran out for a coordinator and so I got onto my colleagues in Government,

? he told Northside People.

“I went straight to Eamon Gilmore, Joan Burton and the Minister with responsibility for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch.

“I have many priorities for Finglas but FSN was in really dire straits and badly needed a manager to pull things together, amongst other things.

“The money has come through now and we can now go forward and appoint a manager and keep the service running.

?

Local TD John Lyons (Lab) described the announcement of funding as great news for the area.

“With this funding now secured, the Suicide Network can continue their preventative work including wellness week and training for the public,

? he said.

“I have worked with Cllr John Redmond on this issue for some time and we will continue to support the Network it its vital work for the area in the future.

?

The funding windfall will now allow FSN to advertise for a new manager, but some of the money will also be used to roll out new wellness services in the community and for training purposes.

FSN promotes a community led approach to suicide prevention and offers appropriate counselling from premises in Finglas, as well as a referral service to clients in distress.

The organisation works with local organisations to raise awareness of suicide and promote suicide prevention activities in the area.

Cllr Redmond explained why the service is so badly needed in the area.

“A lot of GPs are referring patients to us and we don’t turn anybody away,

? he said.

“We’re also taking people outside our catchment area, from all over Dublin and even beyond. We never refuse anybody.

“The service is very visible in the community now. We’re holding talks and assist programmes so locals can help people in distress or crisis.

?

Despite this month’s cash boost, FSN still needs to raise funds to continue providing its services. Collection boxes have been placed around the area and tickets are due to go on sale this week for a fundraiser taking place in the Oak Room at the Mansion House on November 15.

Earlier this month over 100 locals turned out for a

‘Walk of Hope’ event organised by FSN to raise awareness of the effects of suicide on the community.

Fianna Fáil representative for Finglas and Cabra, David Costello, took part in the event.

“It was fantastic to see members of the community get out and walk to raise awareness of death by suicide in our community, especially the young people,

? he said.

“I would like to congratulate Cáit Ní Chonnacháin, Marie Whelan and the other volunteers of the Finglas Suicide Network for organising such a successful event. I hope it’s the first of many in the Finglas area.

?

Finglas Suicide Network operates from premises provided by Dublin City Council at 46-47 Mellowes Court. The service is also helped by the Tolka Area Partnership (TAP), the Fingal Centre and the HSE. The service can be contacted on 01-8648899.