Successful fundraiser for Midlands Living Links
By Rose Mannion
Suicide remains a significant concern in Ireland and affects people of all ages and backgrounds. There can be many and varied reasons for a person feeling they need to end their life.
Family and friends are often left confused and find it difficult to talk about their loss. Yet talking in confidence to another person who has a shared experience of such loss, and is appropriately trained, is important to starting their healing journey.
Midlands Living Links is a charity that provides support for the family and friends of people who have been bereaved by suicide.
“Our services are free of charge and is available to people living in Laois, Offaly and North Tipperary,” said Sue Talbot Braizby, the charity’s secretary, who lives in Borrisokane representing the North Tipperary area.
She added: “Help is provided by volunteers and includes assistance at coroner’s inquests, visits to people in their own homes, telephone support and group support meetings.
“On behalf of Midlands Living Links we really appreciate this donation from the Breretons of Ballybritt Tractor Run. All our funding is from such donations. The funding will be put to good use in reaching out to people and encouraging them to seek support, when they feel the time is right for them. This can be soon after the death, or many years later.”
Sue then went on to quote a suicide survivor who once said that grief is the price we pay for love. It is painful, raw, and life-changing - but it does not have to be carried alone. Help is out there, and reaching out is the first step toward healing.
Sue added that if anyone would like to speak to someone, they can please call 086 1600611 (Laois Offaly) or 087 2250215 (Nenagh/North Tipperary).
You do not have to go through the pain of loss alone.
World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. This year’s theme is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’.
Together, we need to do more to learn from such tragic deaths and prevent and reduce the number of people in our communities who die by suicide.