Feel Good Friday
On 22nd April, 2011 Suicide or Survive successfully celebrated its inaugural “FeelGood Friday”. The day was established as the organisations national awareness and fundraising day and it will be held to coincide with Good Friday every year.
Caroline McGuigan, CEO, Suicide or Survive said “On 22nd April, 2011 we urged every person in Ireland to take just a few minutes to do one small thing to make themselves feel good. I am delighted by the response we had, with people around the nation marking the day and many people & businesses actively fund-raising. We sold a huge number of our “Life’s Little Emergency Kits”. A huge Thank You goes to all those who supported us in the build-up to and on the day! All the funds raised on “FeelGood Friday” go directly to our organisation and help us to continue educating and empowering our community – putting people in a position to be able to provide support to anyone who feels that they are struggling.”.
Caroline was interviewed by a wide range of radio stations across the country including FM104, LMFM and KLFM. “FeelGood Friday” was proudly supported by NewsTalk and both Caroline and Robert Carley were interviewed on the Breakfast Show on the morning of 22nd April. NewsTalk also ran a series of promotions throughout that week featuring friends of the organisation, as well as many well-known personalities including Síle Seioge and Ivan Yates, sharing their plans for marking the day.
SOS ran a Facebook campaign and also published Hints and Tips for feeling good, as well as Hints and Tips for fundraising on the website.
Looking to the future
Caroline continued “Of course “FeelGood Friday” is much more than feeling good – it’s about raising awareness of an issue that is growing across Ireland. An astonishing €3 billion was lost to the Irish economy in 2010 due to absenteeism as a result of stress, anxiety and depression. There has also been a worrying increase in deaths by suicide in recent times. It is important to raise awareness of the issue so that we can come together to change the perception of mental illness that exists today in Ireland and it is our intention to celebrate FeelGood Friday each year going forward.”.
Life’s Little Emergency Kits
This kit was put together by a lady that SOS supported during her darkest days. The kits, which cost €3 each, act as a reminder that no matter how dark the situation may seem, there is support out there. SOS sold over 2,500 kits as part of the FeelGood Friday celebrations. Not just for this day though, the kits are available directly from SOS by contacting us on – 1890 577 577 or emailing Louise – louise@suicideorsurvive.ie.
Proudly supported by newstalk
For more information please visit www.sucideorsurvive.ie or contact: Louise at SOS – 1890 577 577
