Stigma nation: behind closed doors

Following on from the horrific, tragic and almost unimaginable events that unfolded in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan, I have been circulating my new Facebook cover photo (done up in like 5 minutes using online software, so please, steal away. I don't want any ownership rights to this image if we can all simply help in getting the word out to those who need it). As a voluntary organisation it can be hard to promote such facilities -suicide is a touchy subject, not really something spoken of or asked about in many everyday occasions. As a volunteer for this organisation I've had a lot of people ask, "what exactly do SOSAD do?". Some hear the terms like "suicide prevention", "suicide intervention", but they don't quite know what services that entails. Each office has its own projects, but the general resources that we all provide are listed in this cover picture. Along with all the contact information for each office. If you would like the full size of this image to use as Facebook cover photo (this one is condensed), please mail me via my Facebook page.

If you are struggling, need help and even if you don't live near any of our offices, please ring the nearest phone number to you and one of the volunteers will assist you in any way possible. Please, ring us. Ring anyone. If you are on long HSE waiting lists to see someone, come see one of our trained and free counselors instead. If counselling isn't for you or you are unsure, just ring us for a casual chat over the phone... No one should fall through the gaps of the health service, no one should feel help isn't out there. But we need assistance with getting the word out that organisations like this exist, so please do share the numbers. To help further support this cause consider liking the SOSAD Facebook pages, which really only take a second and provides a basis for free promotion that is so desperately needed:

SOSAD Ireland
SOSAD Dundalk
SOSAD Carrickmacross
SOSAD Cavan
SOSAD Navan
SOSAD Tullamore
SOSAD Events

And see their website here: SOSAD Ireland website


But lets take a step back -suicide and mental health are very much only one element to this confusing, saddening scenario. Murder, possible long-term abuse, communities and families devastated by the complete shock... No warning signs, no clues as to what went on prior to this day. And perhaps the family and friends will never have answers; a tragedy within a tragedy. So here we are with two sides of the rationale forming within Irish communities.

#MarRef canvassing -Volunteers needed

Couple quickie updates on marriage referendum stuff...

Dundalk Outcomers are looking for volunteer canvassers in Co. Louth, Co. Meath, Co. Monaghan and Co. Cavan. This will be done in pairs of one male and one female, so if you have a friend of the opposite sex who would also like to campaign, even better! Information and how to apply can be found here: Canvassers: YES vote to marriage equality

As I've posted before, I'm compiling some clips of local(ish) folk, organisations and businesses who are in support of marriage equality. We've posted some of them up here: YouTube - Vote YES for Marriage Equality

Hopefully more to come... We decided to first post them individually, then in couple of weeks they'll be compiled together -This way, they can be shared on social media either individually or all-in-one, whichever is preferred by your lovely selves. Get prescribing and sharing!

...Aaaaaalso, like this page to keep up to date: Vote for Happiness -The latest videos will be posted here.

You can still mail us