Samaritans are always there

Samaritans in Drogheda and the Northeast highlighted the way they work with local organisations to save lives on World Suicide Prevention Day this week.

Samaritans volunteers provide services at the heart of their communities and this includes partnership working with schools, local GAA and football clubs, and other public, private and voluntary sector organisations in order to make suicide prevention more effective.

From joining up with Irish Rail to try and prevent suicides on the railways, to the recent Fleadh Ceoil, Samaritans volunteers are working to reduce suicide in their local area.

Research shows that people who have lost someone close to them to suicide can be seven times more at risk of taking their own lives.

Michael Keelan, Branch Publicity Officer said: “Every death by suicide has a devastating impact not just on that person’s family, but on the entire local community. Our volunteers are working closely with organisations across the Northeast region to make suicide prevention more effective and to reach as many people as possible. We need to make suicide prevention everybody’s business.

“We also want people to know they don’t have to be suicidal to ring us, so we can reach them and be there for them before things get too tough.

“Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call Samaritans on freephone 116 123, text 087 260 9090, email jo@samaritans.ie or visit us at our branch at 3 Leyland Place, Stockwell Street, Drogheda for face to face support.”