Shannons Hopeline CLG
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Mission Statement
To support and educate young people and their families in the Dublin area on the importance of looking after their mental health. To prevent suicide and reduce stigma before problems become a crisis.
About This Cause
Shannon’s Hopeline was set up in memory of my daughter who died by Suicide on the 24th of January 2012. Shannnon was just 13 years old. Shannon’s suicide was a complete shock to us as a family and the whole community. Shannon never mentioned suicide and signs of suicidal ideation went unnoticed Shannon was a caring, sensitive young girl and a very funny character. She had a great love for children, art, comedy and music. Shannon talked about her future of becoming an actress. Shannon did suffer from bullying, not physically but mentally. She was a victim of name calling, whispering and feeling left out. Shannon wondered why people could be so cruel to one another and she took name calling straight to her heart as most people do. As far as I am aware the bullying had stopped with Shannon in her last 6 months of life but that doesn’t mean it stopped in her mind. I am still unaware of the real cause of Shannon’s suicide. Several months after Shannon’s suicide with a mind full of unanswered questions, I began to research, searching for answers. In my research I couldn’t believe what I was reading. In 2012 the suicide rate among teenage girls was higher in Ireland than any EU state, while the rate among young Irish males was the 2nd highest as reported by the Irish Examiner. As I carried on my research I noted the lack of services and lengthy waiting lists (3 months, 6 months and in some cases a year.) Through my own personal experience I observed how big stigma was, how no one liked to talk about the dreaded word suicide. People feared being mocked, judged and even feared being put into institutions, this had to stop. I wondered why so many young people were hurting and felt that suicide was their only way out. I also couldn’t understand why I knew nothing of how bad suicide was in Ireland with young people. I watched the news, I read the newspapers and never observed anything on how bad suicide was amongst teens. I knew in my heart something had to be done to help the young people. People had to know how bad suicide was in Ireland and people had to be educated to stop the stigma. I also wanted to turn Shannon's memory into something more positive and not be one of just pain. - Sandra Kelleher We provide and low cost counselling service from age 4 to 25. We also offer counselling for the parents. We provide parent support groups for parents to help their child at home who suffer with depression and anxieties. We provide a Be Kind to Your Mind Workshops to local schools and youth clubs. Educating on how to look after their Mental Health.