10/09/2025
Today is World Su***de Prevention Day and I want to share some thoughts. Many of our counsellors sit with people who come to Northside Counselling Service who have been suicidal or struggled with those types of thoughts, not understanding what is happening or feeling like there is no hope.
I often remember what the poet Seamus Heaney said, “If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way.” However, for many people they don’t have the words to make sense of their lives, or of this moment in time in their life.
On this day I want to acknowledge and appreciate the work our counsellors do, providing space, silence, explorations and kindness - building peoples' capacity to discover or rediscover those words, and a way through. Also, I want to acknowledge the work of the board, staff, supervisors and funders who enable this to happen. A reminder to us all that even the smallest acts of kindness and compassion can save lives, and indeed, the quality in living.
Thank you for all that you do.
Beir bua & beannacht,
Karl
