Laois SOSAD suicide prevention centre says need has 'almost doubled'

A Laois suicide prevention counselling centre that is giving vital help to the community is pleading for state help to stay open.

SOSAD (Save Our Sons and Daughters) charity's Laois centre in Shamrock House, Portlaoise, has seen demand nearly double in the past year, but they live with fear of closure because they get zero funding or promotion by state agencies. 

This week, coordinator Shirley McKay and Portlaoise mental health advocate and SOSAD board member Christy Bannon, pleaded their case in a special presentation to Laois County Council and public representatives.

The centre has 191 active clients in crisis, receiving free professional counselling at the moment. So far in 2024, they have provided 2,317 hours of counselling, given immediately with no referral or waiting list needed. 

This October, 11 people came to their doors unannounced seeking urgent help, after they opened a new drop-in service.

Shirley McKay describes the situation in Laois.

"We have seen a sharp increase of 85 in clients in the past year. Behind that are the people of Laois and your constituents. They are parents, aunties, uncles, sons, daughters, anyone who is 16 and older.

"Last week 11 people presented to the door of Shamrock House, three were assessed for suicide risk. One was a secondary school teacher, one a shop assistant, one an apprentice electrician.

"The national counselling service has a waiting list of 12 months. Many are waiting 18 months. Parents have told us they are waiting for their children to turn 16 to access our services," the coordinator said.

They will help anyone in mental distress of any level.

"We focus not just on suicidality, 50% of our clients are at low risk, but 10% are at high risk," she said.

She said "it's not long ago that suicide was criminalised".

"It's not long since we dropped the word 'committed'. Years ago, your belongings were taken by the Gardaí, you weren't buried in a catholic graveyard. Nobody is immune from suicidality. It doesn't differentiate between gender, or the car you drive. We see men and women who cannot have the price of counselling but we also see professionals, a lot around the housing crisis, in their 30s, at home with their parents, who feel they will never be able to get a deposit. Our drop-in centre is for everyone," she said.

Christy Bannon said closure is a real risk.

"Our branch costs about €120,000 a year to run, but we get no state funding whatsoever. Because of the cost of living crisis, community fundraising is dropping, but we are up in the number of clients. 

"We link in with GPs taking referrals, the courts, domestic violence service, secondary schools. We give talks on wellness. We've seen an increase in the elderly attending, they feel lonely and isolated. 

"We are asking for support to meet the increasing and diverse needs of the Laois community." he said.

Christy who has spoken about his own mental illnesses, says there is still a stigma around it.

"There isn't a person here who hasn't had suicide darken their door, or lost someone to suicide. For years the people of Laois gave money to mental health charities but got very little response when they asked them to come and set up in Laois. 

"We get zero from the state and the HSE, but they send us their patients. It's ludicrous. I'm a patients of the local health service and I was told by a psychologist here that they have 15 minutes per patient, to review their script and send them off for six months. It's not good enough," he said.

Mr Bannon said that SOSAD Laois is not listed in local public mental health campaigns which give publicity that could help raise funds. 

He wants Laois organisations to invite them to speak at events, instead of mental health charities without a presence in Laois.

He said that the other six SOSAD centres in Ireland are sending some of their funds to keep Laois open, and the entire organisation, which only has about 14 paid employeess, needs €200,000 to stay open by the end of 2024.

Several county councillors immediately pledged to give up to €2,000 of annual discretionary fund of about €35,000.

Cllr Marie Tuohy said it is her priority, and was that of her husband Noel who was councillor before her.

"We know the time Christy has put into this, and under Shirley's guidance it's blossoming. It's obvious the service is picking up the slack from the HSE. Suicide is the worst thing that can happen to a family. If you save one life, anything that goes into this is worth it. It's a safe space to come into, and I acknowledge your wonderful volunteers. Whatever is given in Laois stays in Laois," she said.

Cllr Aisling Moran pledged €2,000 annually from her council budget, praising their work and asking Laois County Council to include SOSAD Laois in their annual budget.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley also pledged funds, saying "it is timely going into a general election. This needs state funding".

SOSAD Laois has a 24 hour helpline, seven days a week on on 1800 901 909.  For counselling phone the office on 083 0291706. See their website for an online messaging support from 8pm to midnight.