KILDARE NORTH, 11 October: by Brian Byrne. A bereavement support service for North Kildare has been formally launched by the minister for finance, Charlie McCreevy TD.
The service - Turas le Cheile - is the latest result of a seminar on suicide held a year ago in Scoil Dara and the new group is to help people to understand their grief and cope with various issues resulting from suicide bereavement.
"The name Turas le Cheile is a most appropriate one," the minister said during the opening ceremonies. "The grieving and healing processes are like a journey. Firstly shock, then disbelief, anger and guilt. These are difficult emotions to deal with and what Turas will help people do is to understand that the feelings they are experiencing are perfectly natural."
The number of deaths attributed to suicide has risen significantly in Ireland and on a global scale in the past decade. Most disturbingly is the increased incidence among young males between 15-24.
the minister said the formation of Turas by a voluntary organisation represents just what can be achieved by the energy and vision of the coluntary sector.
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