The first Living Links group was set up in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary in May 2002, when a small group of local people got together in direct response to a suicide in the community. The event was tragic and cataclysmic for the people and there was a huge sense of inadequacy on the ground as to how to provide appropriate community support.Tipperary Living Links volunteers attend at all inquests into suicide deaths to offer support to families/persons that are affected or attending as witnesses.
The Living Links listening/support service is free of charge and available to any person in the community including emergency personnel, gardaí and clergy etc., who have in any way been affected by suicide.
The outreach worker can provide information and practical support concerning the following areas:
- The funeral
- The inquest
- Entitlements
- What to say to children
- How to deal with the neighbours
- Help the person to clarify their personal grief
- Connect the person to other support services in their area
- Provide information on suicide and attempted suicide
- Be there, as a friend, for the person.
The Tipperary Living Links listening/support service is free of charge and available to any person in the community including Emergency Personnel, Gardaí, Clergy and Funeral Directors etc., who have in any way been affected by suicide.