Production aims to raise awareness of impact of suicide

 

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A play is born

The real-life experiences of people affected by a loved one's decision to take their own life have been brought together in a play designed to raise awareness of the impact of suicide on those left behind, the Derry Journal reports.

No Goodbyes was the brainchild of Felicity McCall, an author from Derry, Northern Ireland, who originally set out to create a support group for people affected by the suicide of someone close to them.

The project, which was initiated in 2007 and supported by mental health organisation Steer, saw people from all walks of life that had experienced such a loss come together to express their thoughts through creative writing.

However, Ms McCall tells the newspaper, hearing these affecting human testimonies made her realise that they could be used for a greater purpose. "It was about giving those people who had been affected by suicide a platform and letting their voices be heard", she says.

After discussing her plans with the group and gaining permission to tell their stories, Ms McCall devised No Goodbyes with the intention of using their stories to demonstrate the effects of suicide on surviving family and friends.

"Those who were in the support group were incredibly generous with sharing their time and their tragic experiences", Ms McCall adds.

Opening night

No Goodbyes was first performed at the Derry Playhouse in December 2007 to an audience of health workers, clergy members, women's groups and school representatives, where it was received well.

Since its successful opening, the play has found new life as a touring production for local colleges, with its latest staging being a requested return appearance at Oakgrove College, Derry.

And in addition to the productions, which are played out on stage by a mix of adult actors and school pupils, the producers have also linked up with a number of support organisations, in order to reach out to children who identify with the issues portrayed.

Ms McCall tells the Derry Journal: "We also have support from […] Samaritans, Zest and Aware Defeat Depression to handle any queries that audience members might have after watching the play."

Such dedication has already reaped rewards for the team, with several young people in emotional distress apparently prompted to seek support after seeing the production.

Ms McCall adds: "After one staging in 2008, we were told support workers had identified three young people who would have been considered at risk of [...] suicide and as far as I'm concerned, if it makes one person get help, it's all worth it."

Behind the curtain

The importance of encouraging young people experiencing emotional distress to talk about their feelings is highlighted by a series of stark statistics.

According to Samaritans figures, up to 140,000 people attempt to take their own lives every year in the UK, a figure which equates to approximately one attempt every four minutes.

Of these attempted suicides, as many as 24,000 involve young people aged between 10 and 19, the charity states, while among 15 to 24-year-olds suicide is the second biggest cause of death after road traffic accidents.

The organisation also reveals that more women than men report having considered suicide, though more men actually take their own lives.

Director of Samaritans' Derry branch, Sheena McGrellis said: "We think the production is an excellent way of helping to de-stigmatise suicide and of bringing the topic out into the open and encouraging people, especially young people, to talk about how they are feeling. Some of our volunteers were present at the performance to talk to the students about the emotional support service we offer and the importance of accessing help. A number of students expressed interest in becoming volunteers."

The high rate of suicide among young people is a fact acknowledged by Oakgrove Vice principal John Harkin, who provides the Derry Journal with another poignant statistic.

He tells the publication: "In the UK each year, there are between 600 and 800 young people who end their lives by suicide; that is enough to fill a school."

Backstage drama

No Goodbyes has apparently not only had an effect on several audience members, but also on the cast portraying those affected by suicide and the play's production staff.

Director Bernie Mahon tells the newspaper: "The whole cast found it difficult at the beginning, it's [a] very difficult subject matter to deal with.

"We only stage the play with support services on hand who make themselves available to anyone who needs them afterwards."

Actress Helen McLaughlin, who plays one of the lead roles in the production, admits that taking on the role of a mother whose son has taken his life has had a profound effect on her personally.

She tells the newspaper: "It's been a hugely challenging role for me to have to speak those words because I have children myself […] I don't know how people get through it."

She adds that during her performance she has noted that the audience is always completely silent, stunned at the gravitas of the all-too-human experience being played out before them.

Ms McLaughlin echoes Ms McCall's sentiment that if the play is able to encourage just one person thinking of taking their own life to consider other options then the efforts of all involved will have been worth it.

Final lines

One of the play's student actresses hopes that it will help fellow pupils open up about their own feelings of emotional distress. Megan McGlinchey says that while suicides, such as the recent death of fashion designer Alexander McQueen, are often the subject of discussions among teenagers, many young people are still reluctant to open up about their own personal feelings of emotional distress.

She tells the Derry Journal: "I really hope this play will bring awareness and help people who need to talk, to open up. It's a project I'm really proud to be associated with."

The final word, however, goes to Principal Harkin, who tells the newspaper, anecdotally, that most of the people within the local community know or know of families who have been bereaved by a suicide.

He adds: "The purpose of this performance is to help people to explore the issue and most importantly, to make them aware that help is available."

Samaritans

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, you can call Samaritans for support 24 hours on 08457 90 90 90 (UK) and 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), or email at jo@samaritans.org, or face to face - visit http://www.samaritans.org/ for your nearest branch.

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