Ø     Altruistic:          Directed towards an ideal.

Ø     Egoistic:            Isolated individuals.

Ø     Anomic:            Changes in society values,
                    No certainty in life.  

She answered some of the more commonly asked questions as to why Ireland has such a high rate of suicide. 

She spoke about:-

Ø      Suicide and psychiatric disorder.

Ø      Depression and it’s treatments.

Ø      Undetected depression especially among males.

Ø      Dealing with a person with suicidal thoughts.

Ø      Reducing suicide.

Teresa Millea shared in a most touching way the loss of her son through suicide, and a second son through cancer. She outlined the devastating effect it had on her, and her family. 

Key Points from Teresa’s Input: 

Ø      Managing anger and grief is important.

Ø      Whatever problems people have are passing ones.

Ø      Problems are temporary, suicide is permanent.

“Suicide is a terminal solution to a temporary problem” 

Finding support and availing of it. Look forward positively. Do not get bogged down with anger, guilt etc. 

Sr. Kathleen Maguire discussed the stages of grief and suicide.

She focused on what she sees as the eleven stages of grief; i.e. Shock/denial; disorganisation; anger; guilt; bargaining; physical and emotional distress; depression; loss and loneliness; withdrawal; acceptance and reaching out.

She illustrated each stage with examples from her personal life and from her pastoral experience.
She emphasised that there is no time limit to grief and gave us the assurance that by accepting the reality of the death there will be a ray of hope and peace. This peace will enable us to reach out to help others in their grief.

Fr. Tony Byrne dealt with some of the social factors that contribute to the problem of suicide.

He pointed out that oppressive structures can impinge on individuals causing disharmony, tension and stress which can precipitate suicide.
He focused on the economic, political, social, class, cultural, religious and mind structures.
He shared some fundamental principles for suicide intervention and prevention.

Finally, he shared his own personal thoughts on suicide, arising out of his pastoral experience of helping suicidal people and those suffering the loss of their dear ones by suicide.
He stated that those left behind should not focus on the last act of desperation of their loved one lost by suicide, but should think of the richer and fuller aspects of their life.

Jean Casey shared her own grief through the loss of her husband Padraig, and how she overcame that grief.

Her personal faith helped her to do so. She spoke about the reasons for suicide, which she said is the cruellest of all deaths because of the feelings of guilt, rejection, blame and a shame that people take on themselves.

She explained the types of suicide notes that people leave behind.

She talked about the role of support groups and how she trains people for these groups.

She also spoke about how she informed her young family of their father’s death through suicide. She now feels that it is better if a child grows up knowing.

Quote from Jean: 

“A SUICIDE IN A FAMILY IS UNTHINKABLE, BUT ONCE THERE IS A SUICIDE IT BECOMES THINKABLE”.
(The same could apply to a community). 

Sgt. Michael Egan shared with us

Eileen Jones described the Samaritans organisation and it’s principles.  

Ø      Her talk included:-

Ø      The Samaritans and confidentiality.

Ø      Befriending and other works of the Samaritans.

Ø      Who are the Samaritan volunteers.

Ø      The Samaritans and those bereaved by suicide.

Ø      Specific  approaches.

Ø      How do the Samaritans know that what they do works?