Suicide prevention service at risk of closure over premises funding

A WICKLOW-BASED centre which provides suicide prevention services says it is facing closure unless it can secure funding for a new premises.

The Irish Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, based near the Glen of Imaal in Wicklow for the past decade, claims it has a successful record in providing a complementary health approach to people in crisis or at risk of self-harm.

The centre, run by Maureen Mulligan, advocates the use of alternative approaches to care such as cranial osteopathy.

Ms Mulligan, whose work has featured previously on The Late Late Show,describes herself as a "neurological naturopath" and said she learned the techniques while working with disturbed prisoners in the UK using drug-free programmes.

“We get referrals from GPs and people approach us as a result of word of mouth,” Ms Mulligan said. “In particular, we’ve had remarkable successes in helping people who found that mainstream medicine wasn’t able to help them. They’ve now gone on to lead responsible, normal lives.”

The centre has been run based on donations and fundraising. Official documents indicate the Health Service Executive approved funding for a premises in recent years, but the centre says this never arrived.

Due to an increase in rent at its current premises, the centre is seeking alternative accommodation.

“With all the empty buildings around, we’re hopeful that we might be able to find something that would meet our needs,” Ms Mulligan said.

As with many complementary or alternative treatments, it has no statutory or official recognition. Ms Mulligan, however, said the treatments at the centre can benefit people with a wide variety of problems.

Among its clients is Kate Dalton, a 31-year-old from Kilkenny with a history of self-harm. She said her life changed dramatically since she began to receive treatment at the centre.

“I was very sick for 10 years. I had various suicide attempts, I was hospitalised in psychiatric hospitals and was on heavy medication,” she said.

“Since attending the programme over the past four years, I’ve been given my life back. I’m not suicidal, I don’t self-harm, I haven’t returned to hospital. When I was in hospital under lock and key, I had no voice. For me, this is a story of hope. I just want to get the message out there to others who feel there’s no other way out.”

For more information, see irishnaturalmedicine.com