BATTLING SCOURGE OF SUICIDE
BARRY’S FAMILY PLEADS: ‘ASK FOR HELP’ JOHN’S DIY FLYER DROP TO 10,000 HOMES
THE heartbroken family of Wexford music promoter Barry Ennis have pleaded with anyone having suicidal thoughts to seek help before it’s too late.
Barry was found at Edenvale after taking his life through suicide at the beauty spot two weeks ago, leaving his loved ones and the entire town in shock and disbelief in a week that saw four similar tragedies involving local people.
‘It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Share your burden there is always someone willing to listen to you. Every life matters – you matter – you’re not alone,’ Barry’s family told this newspaper.
Meanwhile, truck driver John Broaders, from Talbot Green, moved by the high number of suicides, has arranged for 10,000 flyers to be designed, printed and delivered throughout Wexford town over the next couple of weeks with details of where people can seek help.
‘ This leaflet could save your life or the life of somebody you know. PLEASE KEEP IT,’ is the simple message on the leaflets, which carry the names and contact details of groups pledged to providing help to people contemplating suicide.
THE heartbroken family of Wexford music promoter Barry Ennis have appealed to anyone having suicidal thoughts to seek help before it’s too late.
Barry was found at Edenvale after taking his life through suicide at the beauty spot two weeks ago, leaving his loved ones and the entire town in shock and disbelief.
His death is the fourth in tragic circumstances involving people from Wexford in a period of a little over a week.
Now, his family says it is time to take openly about suicide and to tackle it head on.
‘You go through life and you feel it has become an epidemic here. And when it touches you, when it becomes real, then you realise that you don’t want another family in the world to go through it,’ said Barry’s brother David. ‘Let’s bring it out into the open. ‘ This happens, suicide happens, and we as a family would urge people to speak about it,’
In a joint statement, Barry’s family said, ‘we as a family have been left devastated by the death of Barry in such tragic circumstances’.
‘We are painfully aware that so many families in Ireland have already suffered this loss from suicide.
‘With that in mind we would plead with anyone reading this who is feeling depressed and/or suicidal to please reach out and talk to someone. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Find the strength to talk to a loved one, friend or even pick up the phone and ring one of the numbers below. ‘Share your burden there is always someone willing to listen to you. Every life matters – you matter – you’re not alone.’
Following is a list of some of the services offering help: It’s Good to Talk (053) 9127596 Talk to Tom 0818 303061 The Cornmarket Project 053 9155817 Aiseiri 053 9141818 The Samaritans 116123 Teen Line Ireland 1800 833634 Pieta House 1800 247 247 Aware 1800 804848 HSE Community Mental Health Centre 053 9123899