In the heart of Dungannon, Northern Ireland, the Niamh Louise Foundation stands as a pillar of support and hope for individuals and families affected by mental health issues and suicide.
My name is Jolene Farrell, and I am the current chairperson of the Niamh Louise Foundation Committee.
I attended the foundation as a client in 2016, as I struggled with my mental health and suicidal thoughts. The help and support offered to me by Catherine, Grainne and the team helped me work through my thoughts, and after attending the centre for 12 months, I felt ready to give back and have been part of the committee since late 2017.
What is the Niamh Louise Foundation?
Established in 2006, the Niamh Louise Foundation was named in memory of Niamh McKee, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short by suicide in 2005. In the aftermath of Niamh’s death it was soon realised that there was very little support locally in the rural community for those who had been bereaved by suicide or even affected by suicide in other ways. Services such as bereavement support groups were available in areas such as Belfast and Derry but there was very little in the heart of Tyrone and Armagh to help those who had been bereaved by suicide.
Today, the foundation works tirelessly to prevent such heartbreak from touching other families and they offer services to promote mental well-being within the community and training to help identify those at risk of suicide.
We offer prevention, intervention and post-vention suicide services, offering our services to families and individuals affected by a wide range of issues such as domestic violence, homelessness, and many others.
Why are mental health services like Niamh Louise Foundation needed?
Research has shown that up to 135 people are affected by every suicide.
In the years following COVID-19, we have found that the demand for our services have continued to grow at an alarming rate, with the foundation on average now seeing 14 new referrals per month of individuals in crisis with thoughts of suicide, referrals which come from a variety of sources including GP’s, schools and workplaces, as well as self referrals.
In 2023, we had 933 one-to-one sessions at the centre, with individuals at risk of suicide and/or self-harm and have seen an increase of 600% from December 2022, in families bereaved by suicide requiring our services.
How is Niamh Louise Foundation Funded?
Unfortunately, the Niamh Louise Foundation does not currently receive government funding, instead, we rely solely on funding from the community to sustain our work.
We are incredibly grateful to all the schools, businesses, clubs and community groups who hold fundraisers on behalf of the foundation. From quiz nights to tractor runs, football tournaments to coffee mornings, every donation which we receive makes a difference, with the money raised at these events helping us to continue to deliver our life-saving services within our local community.
At the foundation, we also hold a number of our own fundraising events such as our Join Together in the Prevention of Suicide event which takes place every September in aid of World Suicide Awarness Day, our Gala Ball and we are currently planning another exciting fundraiser which will take place next April, with more details to be announced shortly.
If you would like to help support the Niamh Louise Foundation by making a donation you can find more information on our website.
How do you get support?
The Niamh Louise Foundation is a lifeline for those struggling with poor mental health and thoughts of suicide. We believe that no one should have to face mental health challenges alone, and that with the right support, recovery and well-being are possible.
If you or someone you care about is struggling, please do not suffer alone, you can reach out to us by calling us on (028) 8775 3327 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or 24/7 support is available by calling Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
For more information about the Niamh Louise Foundation, you can reach out to us on social media, or you can find out more on our website.
Comentários