Celebrating life and giving hope to live on

There are families who have been to Hell and back when their loved one dies by suicide. The lights go out. God is absent. Then a knock often comes to their door and someone battered by a suicide close to them, is there. These people both comfort and heal and will do anything to save another person from suicide. Not having a life belt to throw – they give themselves as lifesavers. I know for certain that PIPS in its short life has saved many lives. A person from PIPS walks on holy ground because if God is anywhere it is in their support and hope offered to go on living

Fr. Aidan Troy CP

PIPS was established in 2003 following the suicides of 13 young people under the age of 18, in the area of North Belfast. Philip McTaggart who lost his young son Philip 17 (PIP) to suicide at this time had realized that there wasn’t any type of help or support available, for either those in crisis or families bereaved through suicide. He had a letter published in the local paper asking anyone who was suffering a crisis or feeling suicidal, especially young people, to please talk to someone and try to get some help. At a meeting of the Health Action Zone (HAZ) Philip and Jo Murphy met up and a partnership was established which would go some way to helping others who found themselves in a dark place.

Philip & Jo worked along side Joe Doherty, Joe Barnes, and Caron Donnelly to establish an organisation that would go some way to try and fill the gap in services for both those in crisis and bereaved families. Philip’s son was commonly known by his nickname PI P the name chosen for the suicide prevention organisation. The idea behind this was to personalise the organisation and show that each death by suicide represented a lost life and a devastated family and was not just another statistic. PIPS is now the official company name, and is an acronym for the “Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide & Self-harm”.

PIPS have successfully implemented a dual approach, targeting those directly affected by suicide and self-harm, and the wider population as a whole. Through the direct delivery of our services to those in need and the widening of public awareness, we have consistently worked towards our mission statement.
“To save lives and support those affected by suicide and self-harm”

PIPS is a bottom up approach to suicide prevention and provides support, advice and information at community level regarding suicide, self-harm, depression and mental health to ensure people in the local community have access to appropriate services and are receiving the best possible service with the most efficient use of resources. Wide ranges of services are coordinated from our base in Duncairn Gardens. PIPS works with a range of facilitators, holding weekly support groups for bereaved families and self harmers and responds to those in crisis through phone and drop in services at our offices which have become the hub of the organisation. (PIPS House)

During the opening of PIPS new house the President of Ireland Mary McAleese paid tribute to Pips for providing “a place of hope, education and respite”. It has been the energy and determination of many, especially family members that had been the crux of the organisation. When Pip died, it made absolutely no sense to anyone left behind and left a dreadful void in the family life. Yet through his death, his father forged a new movement that would care for those who have been bereaved by suicide and also those who have suicidal thoughts. This house will help anyone affected by this issue to grow in their coping skills that will allow them to get through the dark cloud of not understanding.

PIPS Support Services

Counselling

Within PIPS we have learned that everyone is different and we need to be able to offer an appropriate service to cater for individual needs. PIPS offer a range of counselling.

Trauma cou

Depression Checklist
It's normal to feel some of the following symptoms from time to time, but experiencing several or more for more than two or three weeks may indicate the presence of depression or another depressive illness. Remember, depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that can only be diagnosed by a medical professional. This checklist is provided as a tool to help you talk with your doctor about your concerns and develop an action plan for treatment.

Please note: Other illnesses and certain medications can cause symptoms that mimic the symptoms of depression. A complete medical examination should be performed to rule out the presence of other medical conditions.

>I feel sad.
>I feel like crying a lot.
>I’m bored.
>I feel alone.
>I don't really feel sad, just "empty".
>I don't have confidence in myself.
>I don't like myself.
>I often feel scared, but I don't know why.
>I feel mad, like I could just explode!
>I feel guilty
>I can't concentrate.
>I have a hard time remembering things.
>I don't want to make decisions - its too much work.
>I feel like I'm in a fog.
>I’m so tired, no matter how much I sleep.
>I’m frustrated with everything and everybody.
>I don’t have fun anymore.
>I feel helpless.
>I’m always getting into trouble.
>I’m restless and jittery. I can’t sit still
>I feel nervous.
>I feel disorganized, like my head is spinning.
>I feel self-conscious.
>I can’t think straight. My brain doesn’t seem to work.
>I feel ugly.
>I don’t feel like talking anymore – I just don’t have anything to say.
>I feel my life has no direction.
>I feel life isn’t worth living.
>I consume alcohol/take drugs regularly.
>My whole body feels slowed down – my speech, my walk, and my movements.
>I don’t want to go out with friends anymore.
I don’t feel like taking care of my appearance.
>Occasionally, my heart pounds, I can’t catch my breath, and I feel tingly. My vision feels strange and I feel I might pass out. The feeling passes in seconds, but I’m afraid it will happen again.
>Sometimes I feel like I'm losing it.
>I feel "different" from everyone else.
>I smile, but inside I'm miserable.
>I have difficulty falling asleep or I awaken between 1 A.M. and 5 A.M. and then I can't get back to sleep.
>My appetite has diminished - food tastes so bland.
>My appetite has increased - I feel I could eat all the time.
>My weight has increased/decreased.
>I have headaches.
>I have stomach aches.
>My arms and legs hurt.
>I feel nauseous.
>I'm dizzy.
>Sometimes my vision seems blurred or slow
>I'm clumsy.
>My neck hurts.

KNOW WHAT TO DO

Stigma associated with depressive illnesses can prevent people from getting help. Your willingness to talk about depression and suicide with a friend, family member, or co-worker can be the first step in getting help and preventing suicide.

If you see the warning signs of suicide…

Begin a dialogue by asking questions. Suicidal thoughts are common with depressive illnesses and your willingness to talk about it in a nonjudgmental way can be the push a person needs to get help. Questions to ask:

“Do you ever feel so badly that you think of suicide?”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Do you know when you would do it (today, next week)?"

“Do you have access to what you would use?”

Asking these questions will allow you to determine if your friend is in immediate danger, and get help if needed. A suicidal person should see a doctor or psychiatrist immediately. Calling 999 or going to a hospital are valid options. Always take thoughts of or plans for suicide seriously.

Never keep a plan for suicide a secret. Don’t worry about endangering a friendship if you truly feel a life is in danger. It's better to regret something you did, than something you didn't do to help a friend.

Don't try to minimize problems or shame a person into changing her mind. Your opinion of a person's situation is irrelevant. Trying to convince a person it's not that bad, or that she has everything to live for will only increase her feelings of guilt and hopelessness. Reassure him or her that help is available, that depression is treatable, and that suicidal feelings are temporary.