Large turnout for launch of Athlone Pieta House centre

The new Pieta House Midlands centre in Irishtown, Athlone, was packed to capacity on Thursday afternoon last for its official opening by the town's Mayor Aengus O'Rourke.

The centre provides freely accessible professional services to people who are in suicidal crisis or self-harming, as well as suicide bereavement counselling.

Its official opening conjured up contrasting emotions: delight that a much-needed facility is in place to support people in times of crisis, and sadness that so many people now require such help.

The juxtaposition was summed up in a speech by the CEO of Pieta House, Brian Higgins. "I'm delighted to be here today opening Pieta House in Athlone, but I can assure you it will be a much happier day if we can close this house because we don’t have a need for the services," he said.

The centre is located on Sean Costello Street in a newly-refurbished premises which was formerly home to Elliott Opticians and which briefly served as a centre for the now-defunct suicide bereavement charity Console.

Pieta House opened its service here last October and since then it has provided support to 79 individuals. The manager of the centre, Siobhan Leijen, explained that each client can attend for an average of ten counselling sessions.

"Our six therapists here at Pieta Midlands are currently at full capacity and this certainly indicates the level of demand for Pieta House in the region," she said. "This doesn’t count the calls we have taken or the people we have helped through referral to other services within the Midlands community."

In her remarks at the opening, Ms Leijen said the Pieta House team worked to ensure that every client was "greeted with warmth and compassion, and treated with dignity and respect."

RTE's Midlands Correspondent, and Lions Club volunteer, Ciaran Mullooly addressed the gathering and introduced a presentation to Pieta House of cheques amounting to €9,000 from the Athlone and Roscommon Lions Clubs.

Mr Mullooly said the opening of the centre was taking place "under the shadow" of an ongoing search for a missing person in Athlone.

"I'd love to be jubilant (about the centre opening) but I can’t be jubilant because we know how much work still needs to be done," he commented.

"As a community we have to ensure that Pieta House is supported 100%, and as individuals we have to ensure that if we see somebody at risk of suicide that we do our best to persuade them to come along here. They do not need a referral from their doctor to use the services."

Mr Higgins said the support for Pieta House fundraising initiatives such as the annual Darkness Into Light walks helped to ensure that, in the last twelve years, 36,000 people have been able to access its services without having to pay for the support they receive.

"The vision of Pieta House is of a world where suicide, self-harm, and stigma have been replaced with hope, self-care, and acceptance," he said.

"Day in and day out, the team here work with people in that fractured state and they journey with them from the darkness of suicidal ideation through to the light of the hope of a new future."

A number of staff members read out reflections during the event, while Claire Sheerin sang beautifully.

The parish priest of St Mary's in Athlone, Fr Declan Shannon, said the new service would be a "huge asset" to the town.

"I think all of us have a powerful responsibility to aid people, where possible, on this lonely journey and hopefully the success of this place will have ripples that are far-reaching," he said.

Athlone's Mayor, Aengus O'Rourke, commented on the "wide breadth of representation" that was in attendance "from right across the community in Athlone and the Midlands."

He noted that those present included councillors from Westmeath and Roscommon, as well as representatives of the Defence Forces, An Garda Siochana, primary and secondary schools, Lions Clubs, and local clergy.

"I think that is an expression of the appreciation we all have for this critical service now available in our town and in the Midlands region," he said.

Cllr O'Rourke also praised the support provided by the local business community in helping to get the service up and running.

"We can only wish all of those who come here, in whatever circumstances, the very best for the future," he said.

* Appointments can be made with Pieta House Midlands by calling 090 642 4111. The organisation also provides 24/7 therapeutic support via its Freephone helpline on 1800 247 247.