THE tragics deaths by suicide of two members of the same family in recent weeks has sparked renewed appeals for a support group in North Cork.

Tragedy struck North Cork when the suicide of a middle aged man was followed weeks later by his 15 year old nephew being found dead after hanging himself.

Charleville based Sinn Fein politician Michael Murphy, along with an awareness group set up by Ballyhoura Development Group, has appealed for more supports to help cope with the increasing prevalence of suicide.

Margaret O'Callaghan, whose 22 year old son Frankie took his own life in Charleville town park 14 years ago, has called for action on suicide awareness and prevention. Close to the time that her son died, she lost seven close male family members to suicide.

Mrs O'Callaghan fears that the continuing tragedy of suicide is not being adequately tackled and she is appealing for a counselling service to be set up in Charleville.

Mrs O'Callaghan was integral to the setting up a suicide awareness group in 2008. Linked with Ballyhoura Development Group and the HSE, the group aims to provide people with information on suicide helplines.

"I don't want any parent to go through what I have gone through... You can come to terms with sickness or a car accident, but I think you can never come to terms with suicide," said Mrs O'Callaghan.

Through street collections, the group raised in excess of €15,000 that has funded the printing of over 2,000 leaflets with contact numbers for helplines. The leaflets are currently being distributed to households around Charleville. The group are also responsible for the introduction of courses designed to educate ordinary people about what steps to take in preventing and reducing the incidence of suicide.

Before Christmas, up to 18 people attended a 'Safe Talk' course in Charleville that focused on the signs to be aware of in order to assist someone at risk of suicide. This April an ASSIST course will be held in Charleville in a bid to provide information on suicide prevention and appeals are being made for the community to take part.

Mrs O'Callaghan wants every workplace and school in Charleville to provide training on suicide awareness. She hopes to have a special Mass held for all the people who have died from suicide this April.

"I will never forget the day that Frankie died; he was a good character, a good worker. I still get bad days. I can't remember his funeral; I spend my days in the graveyard. Frankie was a happy young fellow. I did not see any signs of depression. On the day that he was found hanging, he had gone to see a Cork and Limerick match," said Mrs O'Callaghan.

Acknowledging that funding for resources is an issue, Ballyhoura Community development officer, David O'Grady, stressed the importance of providing information on suicide prevention.

Every suicide in Charleville town reminds Mrs O'Callaghan about the loss of her son and the lack of services to cope with the problem. She recalled how her son, who was employed as a welder with just four days left in his four year apprenticeship, had his whole life ahead of him.

"Another death, another suicide brings it all back for me, my husband and sons. Something needs to be done – the whole community needs to get together and address this problem. At the moment it is being ignored; having a phone number to contact is not enough. People need to have a face to talk to; having a support group in the town would really help," said Ms O'Callaghan.

- LOUISE MCCARTHY lmccarthy@corkman.ie