Sir, – It was with great sadness, but unfortunately not surprise, that we read the details of further deaths by suicide within the Traveller community here in the Mid West. (Front page, July 31st).
Our thoughts are with the families of these two young people and we grieve with them as they must begin to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, the unrealised potential and the absence in daily lives. We are distressed to bear witness to the heartbreak and confusion that is left behind.
Suicide is a unifying force that connects the people of Ireland; it is blind to ethnicity, gender or faith. Whether you are rich or poor, whether you live in the town or the countryside, it can reach everyone.
We appeal to anybody who is struggling, or needs to talk, or has a problem, to reach out, to find somebody to talk to – before you take that very permanent solution to whatever it is – and take advantage of all of the help that is there. For Travellers, we remind them of the support that is there in the Traveller Primary Health Care Programmes throughout the country as well as the Traveller Counselling Service. – Yours, etc,
COLETTE BRADLEY,
Manager & Dr SIOBHAN
O’CONNOR Co-ordinator/
Trainer, Ennis CDP
Primary Health Care
Programme for
Travellers in Clare,
Clon Road Business Park,
Ennis,
Co Clare.