Centre for prevention of

Suicide & Self-Harm

EMAIL: mary@pieta.ie PHONE: 01-601 0000 WEB: www.pieta.ie

Where did we get the name ‘Pieta’What does it mean?

OUR SERVICE

• The service was founded by Psychologist Joan Freeman and Pieta House opened its doors in January 2006.

• Our client base is specifically targeted at people who are experiencing suicidal ideation, people who have attempted to take their lives and people who are engaging in deliberate self harm.

• We provide one to one therapy where the foundation is rooted in compassion and care.

• 2006 Lucan• 2008 Dublin 2 centres• 2008 Tallaght• 2010 Limerick• 2011 Ballyfermot• 2013 Roscrea• 2013 Tuam• 2013 Cork• 2014 Kerry• 2016 Waterford• 2016 Wexford• 2017 Donegal• 2017 Collins Avenue• 2017 Athlone

EXPANSION: 11 Years – 14 Centres

THE PIETA WAY• All our Therapists are professionally qualified and accredited

and the team is made up of both Psychotherapists and Counselling Psychologists.

• Staff are carefully selected and are chosen not alone for their academic qualifications but also for their personal warmth. Receptionists too are given the opportunity to explore myths and facts in relation to self harm and suicide and to confront and clarify their own attitudes and beliefs

• The Therapists are trained in the therapeutic models developed by Pieta, where we aim to lift suicidal ideation and in relation to self harm, we aim to move the client from self harm to self care.

• One to one therapy to all our clients.

• No referral necessary

• Assessment offered within 48 hours.

• All services are free.

USER FRIENDLY• We are aware of the difficulties and negative experiences that

people encounter due to the fact they are engaging in self harm. Some clients may be embarrassed by the fact that they have attempted suicide or want to take their lives.

• However we are also mindful that this could be ourselves, our children or one of our own family at the door, so people are treated in Pieta the way we would want to be treated ourselves.

• Clients are offered tea and coffee and the nurturing begins from the time they reach the door

KEY SUPPORT• Pieta House recognises the difficulties encountered by the family.

Families can be paralysed by fear and parents at times are even reluctant to put boundaries on their children for fear of upsetting them.

• We realise that at times the family can be the greatest resource that the client has but they too need to be supported, encouraged and educated as to the appropriate ways to respond.

• We provide placements to Psychotherapy Graduates who are working towards accreditation and allow them provide support to family members.

Bereavement Counselling.Bereavement Counselling

• Those who have been bereaved by suicide may come into our centre and see a therapist fore bereavement counselling

• We at Pieta House recognises the difficulties when a loved one Has passed by suicide –

• Stigma attached • Silence in the grief • What could I have done• Why did I not see the signs

HELPLINE

24 Hours 7 Days per week.

Operated by Qualified Therapists.

Support and information regarding services.

Text Line that is available to everyone.

1800 247 247

HELPLINE

COMMON RISK FACTORSIs there a history of suicide attempts ?

Is there a history of suicide attempts or completed suicide in the family ?

Have they friends/neighbours that have attempted or completed suicide? Paying attention to the contagion element

Is there a Psychiatric Illness?

Marital Status (apparently this decreases the risk!!)

Life events (Financial ruin, relationship break up any type of significant loss)

Facing a prison sentence

Myths and Facts of Suicide

• Myth: People who talk about suicide will never complete it.• Fact: 80% people who complete suicide have told someone how they

felt in the months before hand.

• Myth: Only Clinically Depressed people kill themselves .• Fact: A lot of people who kill themselves have no history of

depression – they are reacting to life events.

• Myth: Suicide is attention seeking. • Fact: It actually increases the risk of them attempting again and

completing it.

• Myth: Talking about suicide encourages it.• Fact: Talking about suicide can save a life by encouraging someone to

seek help.

• Myth: If someone is going to kill themselves, there is nothing anyone can do to prevent it.

• Fact: Most people don’t want to die by suicide, they just want the pain to stop. There is always ambiguity right up till the end.

APR is the equivalent to CPR. It means,Ask, Persuade and Refer

Myths and Facts of Suicide

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SUICIDE

OBSERVABLE CHANGES

• Crying/Emotional Outburst

• Isolating themselves

• Change of mood

• Not feeding/caring for animals

• Loss of interest in things they once loved

• Withdrawing from relationships

• Threats/Statements of intent (eg, “I have no future”, “no

light at the end of the tunnel”)

• Giving away possessions

• Significant Loss

Our vision at Pieta House is to create a world where suicide,

self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance.

Darkness into Light is vital for our fundraising, for raising awareness and for bringing people together as we do everything we can to bring

about a suicide-free world

Locations of Darkness Into Light World-wide

SELF CARE

HOW DO WE SELF CARE ????

The BEST 6 Doctors

• Sunshine• Water• Rest• Air• Exercise• Healthy Eating

THE GOOD NEWS

There is always ambiguity right up till the end.

You can prevent a suicide simply by disabling a plan

It’s our instinct to survive. So carry Hope. Ask, Persuade and Refer

A MESSAGE OF HOPE…

We all struggle in life from time to time but with the right support we can get through it…

A sense of love and belonging makes it easier for us to stay in the world…

REMEMBER: Knowledge is power and knowing what to look out for in your own SELF CARE

Thank you for your time