HUGG

Join us for HUGG Walks Saturday 27th June

Grief after su***de can feel isolating—but you don’t have to walk through it alone.

A relaxed & compassionate walk designed for adults bereaved by su***de.

Starts at 10.30am

Location: Wicklow, Russborough House, Loop Walk

Date: Saturday 27th June

Register https://tinyurl.com/HUGGWalk

Wishing the very best of luck to everyone taking part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon over the weekend.

A special shoutout to all those running in support of HUGG.

Your kindness, energy, and commitment are helping us continue to provide connection, hope, and support to people bereaved by su***de across Ireland.

Every step you take helps make sure no one has to navigate su***de loss alone.

Thank you for your support.

Yesterday marked a major milestone for su***de prevention in Ireland.

The launch of the Su***de Reduction Strategy 2026–2035 is a significant step forward — and one we are proud to see shaped by lived experience.

At HUGG, one message is clear: postvention must sit at the heart of prevention. Support after su***de is not optional — it is life-saving. Those bereaved by su***de are at increased risk, and timely, compassionate support can make a real and lasting difference.

We warmly welcome the growing recognition of su***de bereavement supports and the commitment to community-based responses within this strategy. We are especially proud that HUGG volunteers — Mark Creegan, Phyllis Conway and Tasha Lanigan — brought their lived experience of su***de loss into the national consultation and advisory process.
This is the first time these voices have been represented at this level in shaping national policy — and it matters.

Lived experience is not an add-on. It is the foundation of effective, compassionate, and life-saving policy.

HUGG remains committed to ensuring no one has to navigate su***de loss alone — and to advocating for accessible postvention supports across Ireland.

If you or someone you know has been bereaved by su***de, support is available:
🌐 www.HUGG.ie | 📞 01 513 4048

HSE Ireland

Image 1 (left to right): Catherine Brogan - CEO of Su***de or Survive, Mary Butler - Minister for Mental Health, Fiona Tuomey - CEO of HUGG

Image 2 (left to right): Tasha Lanigan - HUGG Volunteer, Mary Butler - Minister for Mental Health, Phyllis Conway - HUGG Volunteer

Image 3 Group Photo of the Lived Experience Panel

The HSE is hosting a Su***de Bereavement Support Awareness Evening for anyone bereaved by su***de, or anyone supporting someone affected by su***de loss.

The evening will focus on the lived experience of su***de bereavement, with personal insights shared alongside information, guidance, and details of the supports available.

A HUGG staff member will also be present to share their lived experience of su***de loss and the importance of connection and support after bereavement. A volunteer will also be there on the night to answer any questions you might have about our support service.

📍 Location: Talbot Hotel Carlow
📅 Date: Thursday, 11 June 2026
🕖 Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

As National Volunteering Week comes to a close, we want to say thank you to every HUGG volunteer.

Your compassion, empathy, and generosity help create spaces of connection and hope for people bereaved by su***de.

Thank you for helping ensure that no one has to navigate grief after su***de alone.

Last year, our volunteers were honoured to win ‘Outstanding Large Group’ at the Volunteer Ireland Awards.

This recognition reflects the compassion, empathy, and lived experience they bring to supporting people bereaved by su***de.

When you volunteer with us, you become part of a supportive community where you receive training, mentoring, and self-care support.

We need more volunteers to help us continue this vital work. One volunteer can help change a life.

If you feel ready to get involved, we would love to hear from you:

Call 01 513 4048
Visit HUGG.ie
Email [email protected]

Amanda’s story speaks to the importance of being heard and finding connection after su***de bereavement.

Volunteers with HUGG are supported with training and ongoing guidance so they can offer compassionate peer support to others.

We need more volunteers like Amanda to help us continue this vital work.

One volunteer can help change a life.

Become a volunteer today.

Call 01 513 4048
Visit HUGG.ie
Email [email protected]

At HUGG, we believe the voices of people with lived experience must be heard and included in shaping mental health supports and services.

The HSE Dublin and North East region is seeking service users, family members, and carers to join a new Mental Health Services Improvement Board.

This Board will help shape the future of mental health services across North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan, ensuring that lived experience is part of service improvement from the beginning.

This is an important opportunity for people with experience of mental health services to contribute their voice, insight, and perspective in partnership with HSE staff.

📍 Open to people living in North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan
🗓 Applications close: Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 9am

Apply here: https://surveys.hse.ie/s/mentalhealthboard/

Maren’s story reflects the meaning many volunteers find in connecting with others after su***de bereavement.

Through HUGG, volunteers are supported to share their lived experience in a safe and compassionate space, helping others feel less alone in their grief and reducing the stigma around su***de.

We need more volunteers like Maren to help us continue this vital work.

One volunteer can help change a life.

Become a volunteer today.

Call 01 513 4048
Visit HUGG.ie
Email [email protected]