Posted online: Feb 16th, 2010

A devastated Buncrana mother, whose “beautiful” daughter took her own life in 2008, has spoken of the support she received from a local community organisation.

Seventeen-year-old Rachael Doherty (Stout) died on November 1, 2008 and on Thursday last, her mother Janice McDaid addressed the members of Buncrana Town Council at their statutory meeting.

She was there to tell them about the local Buncrana Community Combatting Suicide Group, which she said was “a lifeline” to her.

She also spoke emotionally about her “livewire” daughter, who was “always on the go, always going somewhere and doing something.”

She said: “It only takes a moment to change your life forever, mine changed 15 months ago when my daughter Rachael took her own life.

“A suicide planned when no one is around is usually a deliberate act, a suicide carried out on impulse can be highly unpredictable, Rachael’s case being the latter. The critical question always being why and if only.

She added that “not an hour goes by” when she doesn’t think of her “beautiful” daughter.

“It is terrible upsetting that I cannot reach out and touch Rachael anymore. Part of me died that day too. But I have to get on with my own life in order to face the future.”

She credited Buncrana Community Combatting Suicide as helping her to do so. Ms McDaid previously attended a suicide bereavement group ‘Bereaved By Suicide’ in Prehen, which was “a great help.”

However, the visits to and from Derry began to take their toll on her. She said that the formation of BCCS has been a “lifeline” as it is “important to have that outlet for sharing grief.”

“Sometimes just knowing that others have had similar experiences and can understand will make you feel less alone with your pain.”

She also urged emphasised the importance of talking to others as “a big problem can seem like a smaller problem when shared.”

Denise Gallanagh-Wood of BCCS outlined the group’s objectives and said there wanted to “encourage positive community action to combat suicide in Buncrana.”

She explained the group first came to fruition as members of the public began to approach the IDP for information and support. 

“They didn’t know where to go,” she added.

A public meeting was subsequently held and over 250people attended. Sub groups in publicity, education, training and support were then set up.

Their aims included the encouragement of positive mental health in a creative and effective way, working with the community so they can support people to have a high level of resilience when going through a tough time, to distribute information and support services, to support the work of sub groups and to lobby for better understanding of the issues around suicide and mental health and for improved services.

Some of their plans for the near future include the launch of a flyer and booklet, awareness raising, “feel good” events, continuation of research, ongoing involvement with the Samaritans and a “listening ear” service.

Councillors pledged to support them in any way they could.

Mayor Lee Tedstone said: “If there’s any support you need in the future the door here is always open. You provide an absolutely brilliant service.”

Councillor Daren Lalor, who is currently studying for a degree in counselling and volunteers in Zest, Derry reiterated that talking was “the big one.”

County Manager Michael McLoone suggested a link to the group and a summary of what they do be included in a new Buncrana website currently being set up.