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A first
Pieta House – Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide opened its doors in January 2006. Founded by psychologist/psychotherapist Joan Freeman C.E.O. and based in Lucan it is the country’s first community-based centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide.
As a centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide, Pieta House is a community response, the first of its kind, to these ever-increasing problems in Ireland. We address a very definite gap in the existing services.
Important advance
The arrival of Pieta House on the scene is a very important advance in the development of the services for self-harm or suicide – there are still enormous gaps in what needs to be provided.
Accessible to those in need
Pieta House – Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide is a focused, counselling service which is readily accessible to those in need. “It is a first step in the development of what must become a national service”, said Dr John Connolly – Secretary Irish Association of Suicidology.
“Pieta House – Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide is a well thought out, well-researched project. It will grow and develop in the light of what really helps and works in the therapy for people in need and in despair who feel that they have been let down and forgotten in a changing Ireland”, said Dr John Connolly.
Groundbreaking approach
Pieta House – Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide psychotherapists offer a holistic solution and groundbreaking approach involving daily, one-to-one counselling for the first week to 10 days. As the person improves, therapy is gradually reduced during the next four to six weeks.
Our service is for people who have already attempted to take their lives and also for people who have engaged in self-harm.
We identify reasons to live.
We address the growing problems of hopelessness and despair in our community, which for some may lead to attempting suicide. Our aim is to move the suicidal person away from ideas of suicide as quickly as possible. Together, we identify reasons to live. We provide coping mechanisms for people who are in crisis. Our intensive approach is remarkably effective.
Family Support
We also reach out to families and teach them how to deal with the family member who is in crisis and distress.
Self-Harm
We make an important distinction regarding people who engage in self-harm and those who attempt to take their lives.
Self-harm is seen as a way of expressing an incredibly strong pent-up emotion. It is an act of survival. The person is usually not suicidal. They do not want to die – they want to live. This type of behaviour helps them to cope. However, unchecked and without proper psychotherapeutic intervention, suicide intent may develop.
Complement existing services
As a community-based centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide, Pieta House fills and addresses a gap in existing services by complementing and acting as a support for psychiatric and A & E department hospital services.
Pieta House- Funding
Based in Lucan, Pieta House – Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide is a privately funded charity, which will provide services for anyone regardless of circumstances or background. The service is completely free of charge. Pieta House relies heavily on public donations for its continued success.
Private funding
To get Pieta House up and running, Joan Freeman and her husband Pat borrowed €100,000.
Help
Anyone who would like to help by subscribing or indeed by joining our fund-raising group should contact me at Pieta House. We’ve already had great support but we do need more.
The house
The house is just an ordinary family home. It is calm, serene, very welcoming.
Pieta
Pieta means compassion and mercy. It is the name given to the famous Michelangelo sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ. It is an icon and universal symbol for compassion which transcends all religions and cultures.
Self-harm – 60,000 a year estimated
The increasing number of people engaging in deliberate self-harm is of great concern. At present, approximately 11,000 cases are recorded annually in Irish hospitals. These figures are restricted to ‘hospital presentations only’. Health professionals estimate that the number of cases of deliberate self-harm may be as much as six times this number – more than 60,000 cases a year.
Response to government
By providing a pioneering community service that targets people who have already attempted to take their lives and those who engage in self-harm, the centre is a practical and concrete response to the government’s goals set out in the ‘Reach Out’ National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014.
The centre is also a clear response to Mental Health Strategy set out by the Department of Health and Children.
