Pieta house darkness to light. Do you support?

[Sockmate123]

I haven't done one. I work in healthcare and lots of my colleagues say they woukd never support them but not fully explain why. They do say staff are very poorly paid. Has there been some big scandal about them that I have missed maybe? Or is it just the usual scenario if CEO & senior management creaming it off a charity?

Was just talking about it on the Irish language page. Went on the walk yesterday for the first time. Can't say I've ever heard anything bad about the charity. If the whole point is to get people talking it seems to be working. I've never seen so many of my neighbours up at 4.am !

From memory they are rather god-bothery and they won't help where there are substance abuse issues

Do you mean fervent religion ? It should be neutral and not involve deity ( God)

Through my job I work with a lot of people recovering from mental health illness and many don't speak favourably of their experience with Pieta and often say they'd never go back. I think it is one form of support on offer which doesn't suit everyone a more multidisciplinary approach is better but not always available. I do think people are a bit misguided with darkness into light fundraising. It is only going to one service which isn't even available everywhere and isn't always the best option. I would prefer if it was going towards a foundation where services would then apply to for funding. Far more transparent. Similar to how the toy show appeal money is handled.

That sounds like a very good idea @ComeAsYouAreAsAFriend . Personally I'd never heard much about Pieta , good or bad and went on the walk because , by coincidence, it was the first anniversary of my sons' best friend. There does seem to be a lot of unnecessary duplication apart from the other criticisms.

I did it last year in memory of 2 cousins who took their lives , I enjoyed the walk and there was a huge turnout, saying that pieta house has a bad rep , I've heard people have been dismissed when called looking for help , told if you are able to call you're not really in need of help, it takes a lot to reach out to get help but it seems the service isn't fit for purpose.

I contacted Pieta when my brother was suicidal, and they were not helpful at all.

So where is all the money going to? I think it is a total scam.

I fear you might be right , where are the funds going

I've heard nothing but negative things about them, to be honest.

I actually know two people who are involved in a local branch and I have to say, whether by sheer bad luck or unfortunate coincidence, they are two of the vilest, most gossipy, horrible women I've ever met. One of them is slightly less so than the other.

I'm not sure what capacity they're involved in anymore. I've since moved countries so have no contact with them, thank God. But they shouldn't be anywhere near people who require support of any kind, let alone with mental health issues.

I've never seen any evidence of where all that money goes, either.

Some year ago (just pre COVID I think) there was a lot of attention on the poor pay and working conditions for therapists. it needed to cut costs and therapists' salaries were slashed and some let go. Management staff were unaffected or effected to a lesser extent. A lot of criticism that frontline staff were being let go when they were really needed. Possibly also a few centres closed.
Now there was other stuff that I'm only vaguely familiar with (Something about a New York centre???). Think as well someone with connections got a nice little job during all this.
Anyway the treatment of the therapists turned me off it.
I do agree that people see the walk as suicide awareness rather than just pieta.

I haven't done the walks but they did help my then 15 yr dd when she was feeling bad so I can't say anything negative. They gave her about 6 sessions, it was all totally free. I've supported them in other fundraisers instead.

I'm so glad to hear your daughter was helped. Jigsaw are FANTASTIC for young people up to age 25. They even have a free anonymous online chat three times a week. It's helped my son a lot.

I didn't know about Jigsaw @MaggiesShadow , thanks for that. We were at a loss at the time who to turn to, it's 10 yrs ago now and she is such a a different person now

I'm so glad to hear she's doing better. It's an awful road to travel. Well done to her! And you, for getting through it.

@MaggiesShadow I do a bit of work with jigsaw they are really good but don't work with young people who are more severe or have a diagnosis of depression/ anxiety they refer them to cahms. Jigsaw work more with young people struggling before it gets to crisis.

Oh, I know, sorry I didn't mean to imply otherwise! Just that poster said her daughter is doing better so I wanted to let her know it's there for wobbles.