This article is from page 65 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 65 JPG
A CAMPAIGN by two Ennis fami- lies is helping to heal the hurt caused by the “devastating effect” of suicide. The Molloy and O’Brien families and the local community in Cloughleigh have just completed the third annual Suicide awareness and fundraising event.
This year’s event, organised by Keith Molloy, Gerard, Sasha and Sheree O’Brien is dedicated to Peter O’Brien and Sara Finn and all other community members who have died by suicide in recent times.
Clare Living Links, a volountary organisation that offers practical, confidential support and information to families bereaved by suicide, are the recipients of this year’s funds.
A spokesperson for Clare Living
Links thanked the families for their support.
“Due to the generosity of the Mol- loy and O’Brien families and indeed the many other individuals and or- ganisations who generously support us, Clare Living Links will be able to continue to provide much needed Support and continue to recruit and train new volunteers”.
The spokesperson added, “Keith Molloy, Gerard, Sasha and Sheree O’Brien would like to extend a huge thank you to all who supported them and helped to make this year’s event a great success once again. Clare Living Links would also like to work more in the community to increase awareness of and understanding of suicide and the devastating effect, which such events have on individu- als, families and communities’.
Trained volunteers working with Clare Living Links are available to offer confidential, practical support and information to families who have experienced a death by suicide. At the request of the family, the Sui- cide Outreach Support Person will call to the home or meet at a loca- tion appointed by the individual or eUNOUU As
Along with a listening ear the vol- unteer will offer help and advice on practical matters such as funeral ar- rangements, the inquest, and entitle- ments and how to break the news to children. The volunteer will continue to liaise with and provide families with support and information on relevant services available in the re- gion.
A very popular aspect of the serv- ice provided by Living Links is the
eroup-healing programme, which brings together individuals and fami- lies with similar experiences and en- courages them to establish and foster ongoing support among themselves.
Clare Living Links welcomes new volunteers to train as out-reach sup- port workers or to join the commit- tee. The organisation is constantly evolving and would like to support all families and individuals in Clare who are touched by suicide.
To contact Living Links or to be- come a member, call the confidential phone line on 087 0565373 or write to the Co-ordinator C/O Kincora House, Kincora Pk, Ennis, Co Clare.