Charity's riverside signs reach out to people 'feeling alone'

Signs advertising a 24-hour helpline have been erected alongside the River Shannon in Athlone to reach out to people in suicidal distress.

Four signs promoting the Pieta House freephone helpline (1800 247 247) were erected beside the river in the days leading up to Christmas.

"It's a vulnerable time of year for people, and we thought that if they see these signs it might click with them that there is help and support out there," explained Ger Tiernan of Pieta House Midlands.

Two of the signs were placed along The Strand, while two more were on the western river bank near Athlone Castle and Sean's Bar.

Ger said that, when he was putting the signs in place, he was approached by two Gardai who chatted to him about the issue of mental health.

He said the Gardai told him the signs were much-needed, because over the previous two weekends they had been aware of three cases of people in Athlone who were in distress and considering self-harm.

Ger thanked the local business Spectrum Signs, which provided the signage free of charge.

When he posted photos of the signs on social media there was a hugely positive reaction to the initiative.

Pieta House was founded in 2006. The suicide and self-harm charity opened its Midlands centre in Athlone at the beginning of October.

A team of counsellors operates from the Athlone centre and Ger said the demand for the service has exceeded his expectations.

"Since we opened in Athlone we've just been getting busier and busier," he said. "What is particularly sad is that we've had people as young as 11, 12, or 13, coming in with their parents and looking for help."

The Pieta House Midlands Centre on Sean Costello Street, Athlone, is open six days a week and can be contacted at: 090 642 4111.

For more details, see: www.pieta.ie