Roscommon: A community group has been set up in Roscommon to support those bereaved by suicide and to raise awareness of the issue, writes Michelle McDonagh
The group, Support to Overcome Suicide (SOS), is made up of members of the local community such as parents, GAA members, clergy, teachers, GPs and HSE public health nurses. As well as increasing awareness and supporting those affected by suicide, the group aims to promote positive mental health.
As a result of the increasing numbers of deaths by suicide in the Roscommon area, members of the Elphin community and service providers working in the area got together to respond.
Information cards with details of support groups and services have already been distributed to every house in the parish of Elphin. The SOS groups have also set up a series of three information evenings to run on January 18th and 25th and February 1st. On January 18th, Gareth O'Callaghan (formerly of RTÉ) will talk about suicide in Ireland today.
The talks are open to the public and admission is free. They will be held in the Community Hall, New Line Road, Elphin, Co Roscommon at 8pm each night. For further information, contact Noel Collins, tel: 086 1984252.