Suicide prevention centre moves into larger premises
By Mary Dennehy
THE HOPE suicide prevention drop-in centre has encouraged people struggling with mental health issues to reach out, as the community-led service moves into larger premises in Tallaght Village.
HOPE [Hold On Pain Eases] was established in June 2013 by Tallaght mother Mary McLoughlin in response to the growing number of people losing their life to suicide.
Organisers of the Hope Tattoo Day fundraiser with HOPE founder, Mary McLoughlin (third from the right)
Since opening, the support service has been based in Trustus House on Main Street, where they offered support, counselling and a cup of tea to anybody feeling depressed, anxious or suicidal through its weekly drop-in centre – which runs every Tuesday.
However, thanks to fundraising in recent years by members of the community, HOPE has moved into larger premises in Tallaght Village – which will allow the service to respond to the growing demand for mental health services locally.
Speaking with The Echo, founder Mary McLoughlin said: “We are open every Tuesday from 6pm to 9pm in the new premises but we absolutely hope to expand and are looking for more counsellors and volunteers to come on board.
“It is so important for us to have our space and key.
“If somebody contacts us in crisis, we now have a place to meet them, a safe place to go even outside of the current opening hours.”
She added: “I have heard of two suicides locally in recent days and sadly the people who are dying [from suicide] haven’t come to us.
Message us
“I know it can be hard but I would encourage anybody struggling to come to us, message us through our Facebook page or call the number.”
Mary has thanked the community for all of its fundraising efforts, including the recent Tattoo Day in St Aengus Community Centre, which raised €3,200 for the centre, and Ray Conlon and friends who raised €4k through a head shave in the Abberley last weekend.
She also thanked Ray Conlon and others for donating their time to fitting out the new premises for free.
HOPE is holding Safe Talk training for the community in its new premises this Monday, April 9, from 6pm to 9.30pm.
A limited number of places are still available and booking is required.
The new Hope premises in Tallaght Village
Anybody in need of help is encouraged to drop into the new premises at unit 5, Westpark Gate – which is currently open between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesdays.
Alternatively call Mary on 087 1363082 – this number can also be used to book a place on the Safe Talk course.
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