Mary Monaghan whose son Paul took his own life in March of this year
An Enniskillen woman bereaved by suicide tells Ryan Smith that not enough is being done to help those in need…
THE MOTHER of a young Enniskillen man who took his own life earlier this year, said more needs to be done to help people suffering from mental health problems in the county.
Mary Monaghan lost her son, Paul, 22, on March 22.
This week, she told the Fermanagh Herald: ‘It’s not getting any easier’ and urged that more be done to prevent similar situations.
Mary was speaking after the results of a Fermanagh Herald poll showed that over 80% feel that not enough is being done to tackle mental health issues and suicide here.
And did Mary agree with the poll?
“Definitely. There’s money flung at stupid things and especially in Fermanagh and especially the last few years, the issue of suicide has been frightening.
“I do think that there isn’t the funding or there’s something lacking somewhere.”
She said that at the time of Paul’s death she ‘hadn’t a clue’ what was there to help those suffering from mental health issues.
“And even if the aftermath I don’t know that there’s help for people left behind. I have been in touch with Lifeline who have pretty good. But to find a support group for those left behind, I haven’t been able to find anything locally.
“There’s nothing here that I’m aware of. I can’t find anything and I’ve looked,” she said.
She said that life has been very difficult since Paul died and encouraged anyone who finds themselves in a position where they see suicide as an option to talk to someone: ‘Don’t say that it is your final option’.
“It’s been very difficult,” Mary said.
“We have a daughter that we have to try and help who’s struggling big time with anxiety issues, panic attacks, doesn’t like to be out on her own.
“I’ve struggled to keep my job down, I struggle to go to work every day. The knock on effect is horrendous and we do try and hold each other up and support each other. We’re all grieving in our own sort of way.”
She went on: “Suicide can be such a stigma and people don’t want to talk about it. It’s a heartbreaking choice. The aftermath is… I don’t sleep, I have flashbacks. It’s horrendous.
“Something does need to be done. Be it extra funding, whatever, someone needs to do something to stop this happening.”
And she offered this message to anyone that feels things have become too much: “Talk to someone, anyone. Be it a friend, a relative. Be it a stranger, be it someone like myself. Anybody, reach out to somebody. Don’t say that it is your final option. People will be willing to help you. I know if somebody came to me I’d do my level best to help them.”
If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline free on 0808 808 8000. This is a confidential service, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if appropriate. The helpline is available 24/7. www.lifelinehelpline.info.
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