First national helpline for families of suicide victims

FAMILIES bereaved by suicide are to launch the first national helpline.

The freephone number, which goes live on June 24, will provide callers with a confidential listening service and will be run by Console – the National Suicide Bereavement Organisation.

Console was founded by people bereaved by suicide who felt isolated and didn’t know where to turn for help.

A Console spokesperson said: “These distraught families are often left bewildered and don’t know where to get advice and comfort following the loss of a person to suicide.

“The bereavement process following suicide is entirely unique, with feelings of guilt, anger and bewilderment adding to the devastation caused by the death of someone close.”

The helpline will be launched at a National Concert Hall event on June 24 where artists including Frances Black, Moya Brennan, Mary Coughlan and the Café Orchestra will perform free of charge.

“Losing someone to suicide tears you and your family apart. The pain is unbearable and the minimum support that people need is someone they can talk to, who knows how to help and advise them,” the spokesperson added.

“Years of hard work has gone into preparing for a national helpline and securing the funds to ensure that it is run professionally on a long-term basis.”