SOSAD IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER
SOSAD HOSTS EMOTIONAL WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY EVENT ON THE STEPS OF ST PETER’S CHURCH ON WEST STREET
AS one looked at the rows of shoes, all placed neatly on the steps of St Peter’s Church, the shapes and sizes differed, brightly coloured, dark and official, fun and young, the student, the wife, the son, the builder, the office worker, the dancer, the talented. Suicide does not tick a box.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, the charity that does so much for the people of this region, SOSAD, again led the way, hosting a poignant but inspiring ceremony in the heart of Drogheda.
The girls from Our Lady’s College joined Amie Dyer for what was an exceptional moment.
The choir opened with ‘Love can build a bridge’ and in true Greenhills spirit, they just got better and better, the likes of Holly Thompson from 3rd Year with her own stunning song, ‘I Wish’ and Clodagh King, the star of the recent Fleadh Cheoil, performing the classic ‘Curra Road’.
Mia’s song, ‘Unaccepted’ was totally unique and totally brilliant before the world class performer that Amie Dyer is, delivered a faultless, ‘In the Arms of the Angel’.
Canon Sweeney PP said he was delighted to be part of the day and said marking events like this was important.
‘ There can be a lot of sadness in hearts over hidden stresses. We are lucky to have SOSAD in the town and nobody should have to suffer alone,’ he stated.
He said in particular men were not good at reaching out, but ‘ we all need help.’
As he looked down at the shoes, that used to belong to people who died by suicide, he said those that had worn them were ‘irreplaceable’.
Paul Egan remarked that sometimes the hardest thing people find to say is simply ‘I’m not ok’ and that is why SOSAD were there. ‘ They are 24 hour care,’ he added. Declan Power, manager of the Barbican, said it was vital for the communty to back charities, especially the likes of SOSAD.
Earlier Maddie Morgan from SOSAD said it was important that people knew their loved ones were not forgotten.
Their own service helps thousands each year and it open to people to come in and seek assistance and within a short space of time they can meet a counsellor and begin their journey.
‘If you are concerned, come in and we’ll look after you,’ she said.
As people left, many stepped forward and placed vital funds into the buckets of SOSAD.
Many may have been touched by them in the past through a family or friend, but certainly, hardly anyone has not heard of the name - that in itself evidence of what they do.