GAA and IFA to play key role in suicide awareness

The scourge of suicide – a problem touching almost every parish in the county – has prompted the setting up of a new group in East Galway that aims to set up a self-help network contact structure in every village.

Key organisations in trying to get a message of hope across to families already affected by suicide or in fear of a loved one contemplating self harm, will be the GAA and the IFA.

The new group, GELS – Galway East Life Support – was established on an ad hoc basis this Spring, but now with the backup of over a dozen organisations, they are holding a public information meeting in Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe on Wednesday night next, June 26, at 7.30pm.

One of a number of people behind the GELS group is Ballinasloe Garda Superintendent, Gerry Roche, who told the Connacht Tribune this week that he had seen far too often the ‘absolute devastation’ that suicide had left behind with family, friends and the local community.

“The consequences of suicide are truly horrific and as a Garda and first line responder, the legacy of sadness and unanswered questions left behind, can never be erased.

“Often, myself and my colleagues would contemplate if there was something that we could do to try and prevent such a scenario developing – it’s not an easy question to answer but I think that the idea behind this GELS groups is a very good one,” he said.

As well as the GAA and the IFA, other organisations that have rowed in behind the GELS project are Suicide Prevention Ireland, Aware, Pieta House, Anam Cara, Samaritans, Jigsaw, Living Links, Console, Shine, SOS, Grow and the Lions Club organisation.

GELS has set up an online contact at: http://www.gelifesupport.com

For more on this story, see this week’s Connacht Tribune