Share the console message of hope this christmas with the offaly independent
The Offaly Independent has joined forces with national suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console in an innovative campaign to encourage readers to share the Message of Hope this Christmas.
The campaign is asking Offaly Independent readers, and especially its growing social media audience, to share Console’s message that there is hope and help out there for people who may need it this Christmas.
Console offers counselling services and a free 24-hour helpline support (1800 247 247) to people in crisis and those bereaved by suicide, which will remain open all through the Christmas and New Year period.
“Christmas can be an especially hard time for people, and you may not be aware that one of your friends may be in crisis and or in need of hope,” said Console founder and CEO Paul Kelly.
“For that reason, we are asking people to get online and share the Console message of hope and freephone number which will be posted up on the timelines of all of the Celtic Media Group Facebook pages.
“In sharing the message you may not know which of your friends, or indeed their friends, may need help, but if they do, you could be helping to save a life this Christmas.
“We are so grateful to Celtic Media Group for partnering with us on this original initiative and we are asking people who are reading this to be aware of our free helpline, which now takes over 3,000 calls a month.”
Frank Mulrennan, CEO of Celtic Media Group, stressed that it is the Group’s social media following which will play a vital part in carrying the message of hope.
“CMG have over 65,000 active Facebook fans, and have become a major force in new media in our circulation areas in Dublin, Meath, Cavan, Westmeath, Offaly and now Mayo.
“We are highly engaged with our audience on a daily basis and are delighted to use our large and active social media base as the primary delivery platform for this wonderful initiative with Console.
“We will also be hosting the Console message online on our other group websites which receive over six million views a year.
“We would also ask other businesses to consider getting on board and asking their social media fan base to also share the message of hope via their Facebook sites.”
Console has full-time counselling centres in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Galway, Kerry and Mayo. It also offers services in Kildare and Athlone and has recently opened a service in London.
Counselling is available for any individual, couples, families or children who have been affected by suicide.
Console can be reached at any time on freephone 1800 247 247 and many resources and useful information can be found at www.console.ie.
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