http://www.kandle.ie Kildare & Leighlin Catholic Diocese Ireland. Welcome! Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:25:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2006-2010 chancellor@kandle.ie (Kildare & Leighlin Diocese) chancellor@kandle.ie (Kildare & Leighlin Diocese) 1440 http://www.kandle.ie/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/KandLe_rss.jpg http://www.kandle.ie 144 144 A range of interviews and reflections about church life and social issues hosted by the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin (RC Diocese in Ireland) kandle, church, diocese, parish, prayer, liturgy, music, communications, Kildare & Leighlin Diocese Kildare & Leighlin Diocese chancellor@kandle.ie no no http://www.kandle.ie/2010/09/10/men-on-the-ropes-samaritans/ http://www.kandle.ie/2010/09/10/men-on-the-ropes-samaritans/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:39:32 +0000 KandLe Team http://www.kandle.ie/?p=20377 http://www.kandle.ie/2010/09/10/men-on-the-ropes-samaritans/feed/ 1 0:05:19 Hear about the launch of a new campaign by the Samaritans – “Men on the Ropes” – intended to help combat suicide among men.  Podcast   This podcast made available from RNN.ie A recent HSE study showed that there has been an increas[...] Hear about the launch of a new campaign by the Samaritans – “Men on the Ropes” – intended to help combat suicide among men.  Podcast   This podcast made available from RNN.ie A recent HSE study showed that there has been an increase in the level of suicide in Ireland and that there is particular concern for men in their 30s, 40s and 50s who have been worse hit by the recession. Miriam Gormally spoke with Suzanne Costello from the Samaritans about this worrying trend. Men on the Ropes Men and suicide Around 6,000 people in the UK take their own lives every year and three-quarters of them are men. Of these, the men most likely to die by suicide are those aged 25-55. Samaritans are now launching a five-year campaign to get all men talking about their feelings. The aim is to get them to consider that calling Samaritans’ 24/7 confidential helpline could be an option for them. Equally, though, we believe that talking to anyone – family, friends, colleagues, health professionals – is better than bottling things up David White’s Story Face of the advertising campaign, David White, 43, a London-based IT contractor and amateur boxer: “Growing up in Edmonton, my dad was an electrician and my mum looked after us. I went to a comprehensive school and although it was quite rough, I did enjoy it. I’ve got my fair share of worries; I’m a contractor, so I could lose my job at any minute, and mum and dad are ill. My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago, he’s now 81. He’s not in great form, he tries hard but has problems with mobility. Two years after his diagnosis, my mum was also diagnosed with the disease, she is 78. My folks are really dependant on me now. Unfortunately, my wife and I can’t have kids; we left it too late. We’re resigned to it now, and I’ve realised we’re not going to have a son or daughter and have missed out, but I’ve just got to get on with it. I don’t talk to people about worries because I’m a typical bloke. My mum and dad are quite like me. They are old school, they keep everything inside. I never heard my dad talking about how something affects him emotionally. He always gives his stock answer: ‘I’m fine’. His perspective is to deal with your problems and keep them to yourself. It’s almost like men have got this image of being strong and independent, and not needing anyone to help. I know I do it all the time, I put on a front to show I’m in control. My wife is really strong too, but the problem is that because I do it all the time, I make things more difficult for myself. Life does get me down sometimes. My dad is back in hospital at the moment which is a big worry and I can feel the stress building up. People say I must be really good at concealing what’s inside; I know I can be good at looking calm when I’m not. Boxing has helped me, it makes you feel better about yourself. However, talking about your problems is a much better solution. This campaign is a great idea. When I heard about it, I thought, that sounds like me. In the past, it would never have crossed my mind to call Samaritans when things were tough. I realise now that talking about my worries can be as strong a defence as boxing. If men could realise it was acceptable to call Samaritans, and to do it sooner rather than later, that would be fantastic. If this campaign can get even one man who is struggling with life to pick up the phone and talk to someone, then it’s been worthwhile.” For More Information Samaritans Write / Call in 112 Marlborough St, Dublin 1 Phone : 1850 60 90 90 open 24hrs, 365 days Email: jo@samaritans.org replies within 24 hrs Need to Talk? helplines Click on link for our listing of helplines – Need to Talk? Podcasts Kildare & Leighlin Diocese no no