Cost of living fears expected to drive rise in calls to SOSAD

A Cavan charity is warning that the cost of living crisis could drive some people to the brink of suicide.

With growing fears that tens of thousands more households than first thought are facing poverty this winter, Christine Wynne, coordinator with SOSAD Cavan, says counsellors are bracing themselves to deal with the deluge of calls expected from those with extreme financial concerns.

“We’re expecting to be extremely busy from November onwards, because financial pressures are building in people’s lives, and that in turn is going to play a huge part especially in the run up to things like Christmas. Even at this stage I would say to parents to be realistic, to have that conversation with their children about managing expectations, and your own as well, not to be putting yourself in debt. Prepare.”

Christine’s comments come as SOSAD Cavan, which works to support people with depression, thoughts of suicide and those bereaved by suicide, plans to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2022, on Saturday, September 10.

Christine anticipates “substantial” demand for their services in the months ahead. In some ways, she sees it already beginning to happen, where more people are suffering depression compared to last year, and more are experiencing anxiety or panic attacks.

The average annual electricity bill in Ireland is currently estimated at €1,673.97, and the average annual gas bill is €1,339.71. SSE Airtricity recently announced it is increasing prices for customers from October 1, with bills to rise by over 35%, and gas bills to increase by 39%.

On top of that, experts believe Ireland is facing a major energy crisis the likes of which has not been seen since the 1970s, and some economic commentators say the country is about to enter a deep recession, perhaps even a depression.

“It’s happening, gradually. The lights going on an hour earlier at night, as the evenings shorten, is going to impact bills. Evenings getting chillier, but people are finding it harder to heat their homes. It’s going to be huge.”

The loss of Cavan Lions Club, disbanded after close to 50 years, for instance is another “significant blow” to the community, attests Christine.

Their annual food appeal, she shares, was relied upon by hundreds of families, and acted as a circuit breaker for those most in need and the risk of facing worsening poverty.

“Financially you won’t have the Lions Club this year. We would have always worked very closely with them, pointing them to where people were really struggling, but they’re gone now. That’s a very difficult role to fill. It’s a big loss, all year round, but more so at Christmas.”

Dusk to Dawn

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day this Saturday, September 10, SOSAD Cavan is planning a ‘Dawn to Dusk’ fundraiser, where the charity is inviting the public to join them to run, walk or jog seven kilometres between sunrise and sunset. Pre-registration is available online, or in the SOSAD Cavan office on Bridge Street.

A memorial event meanwhile will take place within the grounds of the old Abbey in Cavan Town between the hours of 2-7.30pm, followed by Mass in the Cathedral of Ss Patrick and Saint Felim at 7.30pm in memory of anyone who has died by suicide.

“We’ll have our stand there,” says Christine of the Abbey grounds event, saying there will be an opportunity to speak with a member of the SOSAD Cavan team. “Our memorial and our Mass are the annual events that we run, and the ‘Dusk to Dawn’ walk is our fundraiser. Anyone can register for that, online in advance, or pre-register with us here in the office, pick up their t-shirts, or register on the day also if they want.”

Christine adds that SOSAD Cavan remains “very busy” at present, receiving upwards of six new clients per week. The statistic is “significant”, she adds, not in numerical masse, but for the fact that it represents a cohort of people willingly engaging with the charity after acknowledging issues that need addressing.

“When we speak to people and they say ‘I can’t believe that’s how many is coming through the door’, my response to that is that this is what we’ve been shouting from the roof tops, asking people to come in before things get out of hand for them. So the prevention piece is working,” Christine tells The Anglo-Celt.

Exam results

The end of August and into September is also a time for exam results. Another “pressure point” for many families.

For younger people, Christine says it is important to be aware there are other education avenues to be explored. Yet she understands the dilemma they face.

“The calls we receive don’t just come from young people, but also parents as well. What is important for young people in particular is for them to be aware there are other pathways. There are always options. There is no point in us, as adults, shouting at them that ‘This is only the Leaving Cert and in 10 years time it’ll all mean nothing looking back’.

“That may well be true. But for the moment this is all that matters, and it’s the most important thing in their lives. So we have to respect that too if they’re coming to us. It’s their journey, so they’ll reach out whenever they’re ready.”

SOSAD Cavan has secured funding and is currently working with mental health advocate, former county footballer, Alan O’Mara, with a view to developing a number of webinars, which can be easily shared in schools and clubs across the country.

“It’s one thing standing at the back of a GAA club and handing out leaflets, but where’s the follow through? So that’s what this body of work is about. They’ll be available to schools and clubs, on our website, so there will be always be an educational piece to back up what we do.”