Suicide prevention charity expanding
Dear sir - 2011 has been a busy year for Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm crisis centre. Figures show that people are now seeking help when they are in crisis - Pieta House saw over 2,000 people last year in the five centres in Dublin and Limerick, 50 per cent more than they have seen in the past five years combined. Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, officially opened its doors in January 2006. We now have five centres - the main centre in Lucan, two outreach centres in Finglas and Tallaght, another dedicated centre in Ballyfermot, and a second national centre in Limerick. I'd like to thank all those who supported Pieta House in 2011. The generosity of people, communities and business all over the country is overwhelming. It's so reassuring to know that even in these difficult times people are choosing to support Pieta House, both financially and by giving up their free time to volunteer. Some 80 per cent of Pieta House's income comes from fundraising events and the organisation is heavily reliant on the support of volunteers and friends of Pieta House. The next big fundraising event will be the Darkness into Light on Saturday 12th May. Demand is constantly on the rise for the services provided by Pieta House and the organisation is currently seeking to expand across Ireland so that even more people can avail of their clinical services at times of crisis. Our vision is that no-one in Ireland should be more than 100 kilometres from a Pieta House centre. We are in active discussions with communities around the country to look at the feasibility of setting up new regional centres. Pieta House's services are greatly needed across Ireland and we believe that these regional centres could make a huge difference in people's lives. We have a proven model of care for suicide intervention and our specially trained therapists are well-equipped to deal with people in crisis. Pieta House is the only organisation in the country providing a professional, face to face, free of charge therapeutic service for people in the acute stages of distress. The primary aim of Pieta House is to reduce suicide by helping people get through that critical phase when suicide becomes a plan rather than just an idea. Yours, Joan Freeman, CEO, Pieta House.