Great support for new mental health initiative

IN a startling insight into the dire need for an ambitious new mental health dropin centre in Tralee, the man behind the initiative has said that he can stand in one particular estate in Tralee and see five houses in the immediate vicinity where families have been bereaved by suicide.

Gerard Collins was speaking to The Kerryman after the inaugural meeting of the volunteer-led ‘Open Arms’ group, who met at Rose Hotel in Tralee on Thursday evening.

At the meeting, attended by over 60 people, organisers outlined their hope to provide a drop-in centre in Tralee where those feeling vulnerable will be able to call in on a no-appointment basis and that there will always be someone on hand to offer support.

Mr Collins is one of the driving forces behind the group and he spoke of the urgent need for more services in a town and county that has been beset by the shadow of suicide and depression for far too long.

“We call it ‘The Open Arms’ as this will be our policy; if someone comes to us for help, they will be spoken to immediately and we will have a policy where you will not have to wait days, weeks or even months to see a counsellor or a therapist” Gerard told The Kerryman after the meeting.

“For years, the people of Kerry have been asking for a drop-in centre here in Kerry; let’s make it happen.

“I myself have lost four members of my family to suicide so I know about the pain.

“From one particular place in town, I can see the front doors of five young people who chose suicide as a means to an end,” he said.

The group is on the lookout for anyone who can offer support, services and time on a voluntary basis. He is appealing to potential volunteers to email penrelief@ gmail.com with their details. They also have a Facebook Page: ‘The Open Arms Kerry - a Community Initiative’

Organisers of Thursday night’s Open Arms Mental Health initiative meeting at the Rose Hotel were Gerard Collins, Cormac Williams (PNA Kerry), Roger Harty and Mary Moynihan.