SOSAD to host series of public talks in Dundalk, starting this Thursday

SOSAD Dundalk will kick-off a series of free public talks this Thursday.

The first of three events at the Order of Malta Hall in Mill Street will see clinic psychologist Dr Eoin Galavan give a talk on suicide.

Then on Thursday November 5^th clinical psychologist, author and motivational speaker Tony Humphreys will address teen and adult depression.

The talks will then wrap up on Tuesday November 17^th when clinical psychologist Dr Paul Gaffney gives a talk on bereavement.

The talks take place on each night from 7pm to 9pm and all are invited to attend.

Memorial Mass to remember those who died by suicide in Dundalk next week

A memorial Mass to remember those who have died by suicide will take place in the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Ard Easmuinn on Thursday September 10^th at 7.30pm.

The Mass has been organised to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day and will feature a candle-lit ceremony.

Everyone is invited to place a token, photograph or momento of their loved one in the sacred space on the altar for the duration of the Mass.

Probe reopens into suspected local paedophile ring

Gerry Adams

An investigation into a suspected paedophile ring in Louth has been reopened, after local TD Gerry Adams passed a dossier of allegations to the Garda Commissioner.

The allegations involve up to 12 local men, including priests and gardaí, according to the Sunday Times.

The Sinn Féin President gave the dossier to Noirin O’Sullivan last April when she was acting Commissioner.

O’Sullivan has ordered the investigation to be reopened. It is being conducted by gardai from the sexual assault unit in Harcourt Square, Dublin.

The allegations are said to not involve any members of Sinn Féin or the IRA.

It is reported the allegations were investigated by Dundalk gardaí in 2002 and 2003, but no charges were brought.

Two of the alleged paedophiles died by suicide during the investigation.

Candlelit vigil in aid of suicide victims in Dundalk this evening

A Light Up The Darkest Day Candlelit Vigil will take place at the Market Square at 7pm this evening.

The event is being held to remember those who have lost their battle to suicide and their loved ones who are left behind.

It is also hoped that the event will coincide with the launch of the Dundalk branch of Action for Suicide Prevention.

A choir will be in attendance at the event and a short non-denominational service will take place.

All are welcome to attend.

McGahon commends Young Fine Gael for prioritising mental health

Cllr John McGahon (right) with President of Young Fine Gael Dale McDermott (left), at the launch of Young Fine Gael’s mental health policies

In welcoming the launch this week by Young Fine Gael of two policy documents on mental health, Fine Gael Councillor for Dundalk-Carlingford, John McGahon, has commended the organisation for bringing this issue to the fore.

In a statement, the Seatown man said: “Young Fine Gael’s new policies on mental health are relevant to everyone and will hopefully bring more awareness to the promotion of positive mental health.

“YFG’s new policies on mental health comprise a document for Government with 12 key recommendations on how we can improve mental health in Ireland, and an internal document containing a number of commitments to make the YFG organisation more mental health friendly.

“The statistics on suicide and self-harm sadly speak for themselves and the issue of positive mental health, while always relevant, is more important than ever. We must try and highlight this at every opportunity.

“YFG’s 12 key recommendations on mental health are being presented to Government to try to initiate legislative improvements in the area. They include; calling on the Press Council to develop guidelines for the media on the reporting of mental health and suicide, a counselling service available free of charge to students in schools, a specific compulsory curriculum on mental health to form part of the SPHE course at junior and senior levels, and dedicated curriculums on the issue of cyberbullying.

“If put into practise, YFG’s recommendations would go a long way towards normalising the conversation around mental health in Ireland.”

Newly-appointed Archbishop visits Dundalk

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin

Newly-appointed Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin made one of his first public appearances in his new role in Dundalk last night.

The 52-year-old Derry native, who earlier this week succeeded Sean Brady in the position, visited the Holy Redeemer Church in Ard Easmuinn for a special event organised to remember the victims of suicide on World Suicide Preventation Day.

Tweeting about the visit last night he said: “Tonight we gathered at Holy Redeemer Church Dundalk to remember all those bereaved through suicide. The Lord is my shepherd.”

SOSAD coffee morning next Thursday

A coffee morning in aid of SOSAD will take place in the Coachman’s Tearooms on the Dublin Road on Thursday September 11^th.

The event, which is being run to mark Suicide Awareness Week, is open to all and everyone is encouraged to support it if possible.

SOSAD car boot sale this Sunday

Local suicide prevention group SOSAD will hold a car boot sale this Sunday evening in McEvoy’s car park on Bachelor’s Walk.

The event gets underway at 11am and all support is welcome.

For further details visit www.sosad.ie

 

Memorial Mass for those who have died from suicide in Dundalk

A Memorial Mass for those who have died from suicide will take place on World Suicide Prevention Day – Wednesday September 10th – at 7.30pm in the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Ard Easmuinn.

The event is supported by SOSAD and everyone is invited to bring a token, photo or momento of their loved one along on the day.

SOSAD to host car boot sale in Dundalk

Suicide prevention group SOSAD will host a car boot sale in McEvoy’s car park in Bachelor’s Walk on Sunday April 6th from 12 noon to 4pm.

Admission is €2 for adults, while children go free. There will be tea, coffee, ice cream and face painting on the day.

If you’d like to see at the event then entry for cars is €15 and vans €20. Access for vehicles is from 10.30am.

For further details call 086 1543210 or email sosadhelp@gmail.com