Samaritans and GAA the winning team in tackling mental health

Samaritans were established in Ireland in 1961, there are now 21 Samaritans branches across Ireland with more than 2,000 active volunteers.

About the GAA & Samaritans Partnership

In April 2014 the GAA and Samaritans came together to offer greater emotional support for people who are struggling to cope across the 32 counties of Ireland. This was the first of a series of initiatives undertaken by the GAA to make sure its members had access to emotional support in challenging times.

For Samaritans, working with the country’s largest sporting and community organisation offers the opportunity to extend its important work even further across the country and into every parish on the island of Ireland.
While Samaritans’ vision remains that fewer people should die by suicide, the charity’s callers do not need to be suicidal to pick up the phone. People contact the helpline about everything from depression, relationship and family issues to loneliness, physical and mental health issues, abuse, financial worries, and much more.

What the Partnership means to Clubs

The partnership aims to encourage people who are going through a difficult time to seek help, while also tackling the stigma associated with mental health problems. In doing so, both organisations hope that people will access the round-the-clock support provided by Samaritans.

The aim of the partnership supports those most at risk under four key priority areas:

  • To create an understanding of emotional health and its impact on the well-being of people;
  • To raise awareness within GAA clubs of the importance of emotional support and where it can be found including connecting with Samaritans via freephone, text, email, and face to face;
  • To encourage people to develop active listening skills;
  • To provide practical support to help clubs and communities recover from an attempted or suspected suicide;

Niall Mulligan, Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland, said:

“Samaritans partnership with the GAA is one of the most important projects we have. With the support of the entire organisation, we have been able to reach men and women across the island of Ireland to spread the message that help is there if needed. The relationships between GAA clubs and our branches ensure the message of ‘Talk to Us’ is highlighted in the community and encourages people to talk about what affects them.”

Every Samaritans branch on the island has appointed a GAA liaison representative to engage with local GAA clubs, the charity has presented at GAA Healthy Club Conferences in Croke Park and throughout the whole island. Samaritans have also produced pitchside signs including Samaritans helpline as a source of support for those in distress.

Mr. Mulligan urged anyone in need to reach out for support by contacting Samaritans via any of the following methods

Make a phone call

Whatever you’re going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on

116 123

We are open 24/7 and we would love to talk with you one-to-one.

 

Write a letter

Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand them. It’s also free, simply address your letter to

Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS

 

Email us

Like a letter, an email is excellent for writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand them. Simply email us

jo@samaritans.ie

 

Here is what people like you have said about the Samaritan.

“Talking got me out of my dark place”.
“I’m not alone anymore”.
“I found a way to be myself”.
“When I wanted out, Samaritans let me in”.
“Talking got me through”.
“I realised I could turn my life around”.
“Samaritans helped me put my past behind me”.
“At last I had a space to say it”.
“Samaritans gave me paitience not opinions”.

 

More information is available on the Samaritans website at
https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/

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