Tag Archives: Suicide

News

Tree Ceremony To Remember Loved Ones Lost To Suicide Moves Online

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Sharon Roche (right) with her mom Philomena Duggan at the Remembrance Tree at Princes Quay. Photo by Dermot Crean

CHRISTMAS is a time of joy, but it can be hard for many people who missed loved ones who have passed away over the years.

Nine years ago, Sharon Roche from Tralee decided to hold a short ceremony in December at a special ‘Remembrance Tree’ set up outside Tralee Municipal District/Motor Tax offices on Princes Quay, where people could come and place a decoration in memory of  loved ones lost to suicide.

Sharon was inspired to hold the event after her son Sean died by suicide in 2011 and the tree provides great comfort to people affected by suicide.

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Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, the ceremony to launch the tree for the festive season is not open to the public this year and has moved online this coming Sunday at 3pm.

It can be viewed by going to the event page which can be accessed by clicking here.

Those who have lost a loved one or have been affected by suicide are encouraged to come and drop a special ornament on the tree anytime after the ceremony throughout the Christmas period.

When the tree is taken down on January 6, if there are ornaments left, they are put in a box and put back up on the tree the following year.

News

‘Remembrance Tree’ To Provide Poignant Tribute To Loved Ones Lost To Suicide

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At the 'Remembrance Tree' outside the motor tax building on Prince's Street were from left, Frank Harnett (Kerry County Council) Jean Foley (Kerry County Council) and Sharon Roche.
At the ‘Remembrance Tree’ outside the motor tax building on Prince’s Street were from left, Frank Harnett (Kerry County Council) Jean Foley (Kerry County Council) and Sharon Roche.

ONCE again this Christmas, a tree outside the old Tralee Town Council building will be used to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide.

Over the last five years the tree has served as a poignant reminder and a special service will take place on Sunday, December 13, at 3pm at the building on Princes Street to begin the act of remembrance. The tree will be there until January 6.

Those who have lost a loved one or have been affected by suicide are encouraged to come and drop a special ornament on the tree throughout Christmas to act as a symbol of remembrance to those who have passed away.

The woman behind the ‘Remembrance Tree’ is Sharon Roche. Her son, Sean, died by suicide in 2011, she says the feedback from the public about the tree over the last few years has been positive.

“There will be new people coming to the event this year because unfortunately suicide is not going away,” said Sharon Roche.

“The beauty of it is, though is that it’s very emotional. The service is only 20 minutes long, but the tree will be there until January 6. This is ideal for people who would prefer to do it in private, they can come at any time and place their ornament on the tree.”

“The event is open to everyone, It’s open to the whole of Kerry and that’s my aim, it’s not just for the people of Tralee. When the tree is taken down, if there are ornaments left, they are put in a box and put back up on the tree the following year. No one is ever forgotten,” she said.

News

Tralee People Asked To Take Part In Mental Health Survey

 

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Pieta House is a non-profit organisation providing a specialized treatment programme for people who have suicidal thoughts or who participate in self-harming.

RESEARCHERS from the University of Limerick and Pieta House are looking for people to take part in a survey aimed at exploring thoughts and beliefs surrounding suicide and mental health amongst the Tralee Community.

The first stage of this study will be to carry out a survey amongst residents in Tralee to investigate the thoughts and beliefs of people surrounding the idea of suicide in Tralee.

They hope that by getting a better understanding of the scale of the issue, then new efforts can be made to set up preventative measures which will be tailored to the towns specific needs, whatever they may be.

If you are over 18, a resident of Tralee and are interested in taking part in the survey, then click here to do the survey.

Contact 061 202708 or email Michelle.Kearns@ul.ie where you can request a paper copy to be sent out to you.

Alternatively you can come by the Manor West Retail Park between Monday, March 9 and Friday, March 13 where you can complete the survey while enjoying a free tea or coffee.

All participants will have the chance of winning a meal voucher for two, generously sponsored by the Ballygarry House Hotel.

News

A Poignant Way To Remember Those Lost To Suicide

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At the launch of the Suicide Remembrance outside the old Town Council Buildings were, from left: Joshua , Sharon and David Roche and Frank Carter (Kerry County Council). Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
At the launch of the suicide ‘Remembrance Tree’ outside the old Town Council Buildings were, from left: Joshua, Sharon and David Roche and Frank Hartnett (Kerry County Council). Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

THIS Christmas marks the fourth year where a tree outside the old Tralee Town Council building will be used to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide.

A special service will take place on Sunday, December 14, at 3pm at the building on Princes Street to begin the act of remembrance.

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People affected by suicide are encouraged to come and put something on the tree throughout Christmas.

Sharon Roche is the women behind the ‘Remembrance Tree’. Her son, Sean, took his own life in 2011.

“I just thought Christmas was really hard for all of us as a family. The tree came about because I needed to remember him,” said Sharon Roche.

After the initial service on December 14, people have until January 6 to place their ornaments on the tree. The ‘Remembrance Tree’ project is run in conjunction with Kerry County Council.

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“Unfortunately the stigma is still there surrounding suicide, so this is a lovely way for people to remember their loved one’s lost,” said Sharon.

“Every year it keeps building so hopefully we’ll have a few more ornaments because unfortunately more and more people are being effected. People have come up to me and said it’s a lovely way to remember those lost to suicide because Christmas is a very hard time of year especially when someone you love isn’t there,” said Sharon.