'An absolutely incredible amount' for SOSAD Laois suicide counselling service

A volunteer Laois suicide counselling service has been given a much needed boost in the form of a big community donation.

SOSAD Laois has described as "invaluable" a donation for €1,650 to help them stay open and offer free counselling to anyone aged over 16 in mental distress.

Last St Stephen's Day, a hardy bunch of local people gathered in miserable weather on the pitches at Portlaoise Leisure Centre for their annual friendly soccer tournament.

Battling for honours were players from Portlaoise GAA, Portlaoise Shamrocks and Tower Hill Rovers, and supporting them on the day were Laois Leisure and Kavanagh's Bar.  The event was held in memory of St Mary's CBS teacher John Duggan who died tragically in April 2021.

This week the amount it raised was formally donated to SOSAD Laois. 

Grace Ennis Co-ordinator describes what donations mean to them.

"This money is an absolutely incredible amount to receive. It goes directly to keep our office running, to rent, heating and ESB and is invaluable. 

"A huge thank you to everyone who got involved on the day. This continued support is vital to us as we don't get direct Government funding. We rely on the generosity of people in the community. Any amount raised, big or small all makes a difference," Grace said.

SOSAD Laois launched in 2021, opening its office near Portlaoise Garda Station that November.

"It took off when we opened the office. We provide free face-to-face counselling, in the office or remotely on the phone or via Zoom, to anyone around the country. A lot of our counsellors work remotely. People can message us on our website too.

"We also have a SOSAD 24 hour helpline. If you call our office in Portlaoise after business hours the phone diverts so that there is always someone there at the end of the line," she said.

Since they opened, an estimated 100 clients have been seen. 

January is a particularly hard time for everyone said Grace.

"There is a comedown after Christmas, the dark days, bad weather, little money, its not a pleasant time for anyone, so much can get on top of you. And Christmas is not a happy time for everyone. I don't want anyone to feel they are alone. We are here.

"You don't have to come in for a counselling session, even just speak on the phone for 20 minutes, that's what we are here for," the co-ordinator said.

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SOSAD Laois is the sixth branch to open in Ireland, and the only person on the paycheck are the office staff, with one full time and one part time in the Laois branch. Shamrock House has three counselling rooms and a garden for outdoor chats, and also provides group supports like mindfulness training. SOSAD also offers a webchat for teenage group support.

Christy Bannon from Portlaoise, a mental health advocate is one of the founders of the Laois branch.

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"All the counsellors donate their time, we are all volunteers, and fully funded by donations. Any money raised in Laois stays in Laois. It takes €90,000 a year to run our office, we raised €30,000 last year, and the rest came from SOSAD Ireland from other donations. If we can't keep raising enough in Laois, they won't be able to sub us indefinitely. So every fundraiser helps us," he said.

Their next fundraiser is a bucket collection at Dunnes Stores in the Kyle Centre Portlaoise, over the St Brigid's Bank Holiday weekend. It will include a prize raffle, and there will be information leaflets and SOSAD staff to chat to about accessing services, volunteering or organising a fundraiser.

Their office number is 083 029 1706 Email laoisoffice@sosadireland.ie