New scheme to help cut teen suicides

A new organisation is to be set up to aid anxious teenagers as the numbers of suicides continue to spiral, it was confirmed today.

Phyllis Fitzgerald, a qualified counsellor, said her network of help groups will give young people a much needed place to deal with their problems.

Ms Fitzgerald, who has been working in the mental health area for over 12-years, has set up a completely independent registered charity, Safe Haven, to tackle the lack of groups helping young people.

Ms Fitzgerald, who is working on establishing the voluntary organisation from her Clondalkin home in Dublin, said that most groups currently catered for older people and were not addressing the needs of the younger generations.

“There is no form of education at all for them as to what to do when they have a problem,” said Ms Fitzgerald, who has worked with the Mental Health Alliance and other groups.

“There is a desperate need for this, the government is realising and organisations for suicidology, that we are closing the gate after the problem is done. People are committing suicide and we don’t have an idea what was going on.

“There is a need to break the stigma down and let them know it is ok to talk about their problems.”

Ms Fitzgerald said young people have never been told there is somewhere to go with their worries.

“People need to know there is a safe place, safe and non-judgmental, to be able to talk about their problems and fears.”

The Irish Safe Haven, which is not associated with any other organisations, will use holistic methods, including Reiki for relaxation, as well as group discussions to try ease young people through difficult times.

Ms Fitzgerald plans to work alongside a team of qualified holistic treatment experts to set up three groups around Dublin with the next 12-months, eventually working from health or community centres.

“We are going to try to set up in Blanchardstown as I have found there is a huge need there,” she said. “We are starting small and hoping to build.”

The voluntary organisation said that in the future it would be approaching the Health Board Executive and government authorities for funding.

Ms Fitzgerald is currently working on setting up the groups and is appealing for more volunteers to help with Safe Haven.

The counsellor has organised a fundraising event for the new group, Safe Haven, and the long-established, Women’s Aid, which helps victims of domestic violence through its helpline 1800 341 900.

Ms Fitzgerald said the joint fundraiser includes a night of entertainment with the Dublin Gospel Choir, Red Hurley with band, singer Kathy Nugent, an Irish Dancing spectacle and many others, in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on January 17 next – the 25 euro (£18) tickets can be bought at the door.

Information on Safe Haven is available 01 459 3357.