Love Is The Hugg

Never can say goodbye…

ress release from HUGG, issued on Friday, June 10th 2022…

HUGG, the national suicide bereavement charity, is launching its first dedicated Wicklow support group for the suicide bereaved on Tuesday, 14th June.

HUGG provides a free, safe and confidential environment where those bereaved by suicide can share their experiences and feelings, and receive and offer support to each other.

All of HUGG’s peer support groups are led by people with lived experience of suicide. HUGG focuses on ‘postvention’, a specific form of intervention which is conducted after a suicide in recognition of the increased risk of suicidal ideation among the bereaved friends and family.

Wicklow locals Michelle Hegarty, Maureen Davies and David B Kelly participated in HUGG’s comprehensive facilitator training programme recently. All have lived experience of suicide, a requirement of becoming a HUGG facilitator. This ensures a better understanding and appreciation of the emotions and trauma group attendees may be going through.

Reflecting on why she signed up to be a HUGG facilitator, Michelle Hegarty said: “Having lost my beautiful sister Maria to suicide in 2010 … I came across HUGG and attended meetings back in 2017.

“I decided to volunteer as a facilitator because I believe that this peer to peer support really helps us through the most difficult days and nights, knowing we have a safe outlet every two weeks to meet others, share ideas and suggestions to help cope with our grief. Knowing everyone in the room genuinely cares, listens and understands what you’re going through is invaluable.”

Maureen Davies lost her daughter to suicide and outlined her reasons for supporting HUGG, “I want to help others going through the aftermath of loss …. I feel it’s vital to have support at this time with people who have lived experience”.

Commenting on the launch of the new group, Fiona Tuomey, Founder and CEO of HUGG, said: “We’re delighted to have such capable volunteers as Michelle, Maureen and David, to facilitate a new HUGG support group in Wicklow. We recognise that there is a real need for suicide bereavement support in the region. I know it will greatly benefit the local community here and I hope we can continue recruiting more facilitators in Leinster to extend our services into further counties.”

You can find out more about joining the group on the Hugg website here, or by calling 015134048.