'A compassionate space' - New suicide bereavement support group launched in Carlow

A new suicide bereavement support group has been launched in Carlow, offering vital help to people across the county and surrounding areas who are coping with the loss of a loved one.

The group has been set up by HUGG, the national suicide bereavement organisation, which provides free emotional and practical support to adults affected by suicide through phone services, support groups, walks, pop-up cafés and community events.

The new Carlow support group will meet monthly on a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and will be facilitated by trained volunteers who have lived experience of suicide loss.

Announcing the launch, HUGG Groups Manager Marie McKeon said the new service will help break the isolation that often follows a suicide.

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“It is vital we break the silence and isolation that too often accompanies suicide loss. HUGG support groups offer a compassionate space where challenges can be shared, ways of coping exchanged, and memories of loved ones honoured. This can bring comfort and hope for the future.”

She added that the Carlow location has been chosen to serve a wide area.

“HUGG Carlow is ideally situated on the outskirts of the town within walking distance to several bus routes and Carlow Railway Station. We hope it will serve the local community and surrounding areas such as Tullow and Muine Bheag, and parts of Kildare including Athy, Laois including Portlaoise, and southwest Wicklow including Baltinglass.”

HUGG volunteer Martina Spillane Byrne said her own experience of loss led her to get involved.

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“I’ve been volunteering with HUGG since 2023. Losing my friend to suicide 30 years ago was incredibly hard, and if groups like HUGG had existed then, my journey through grief would have been much easier,” she said.

“I’ve seen how important it is for people to have a safe space to share their grief and navigate one of the most difficult and overwhelming times in their lives.”

HUGG says that for every one person who dies by suicide, up to 135 people are affected, often carrying invisible burdens including unanswered questions, guilt, shame and stigma.

Anyone wishing to attend the Carlow group can register at www.hugg.ie, email support@hugg.ie, or call 01 513 4048. Once registered, people can attend a support group as often or as little as they need.