PIETA HOUSE HAS announced that its founder Joan Freeman will donate her €65,000 senator’s salary to the charity.

Joan Freeman was named as one of the Taoiseach’s nominees to the Seanad last week, after being chosen by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

She founded the suicide and self-harm prevention charity and acted as its CEO for several years.
https://www.facebook.com/pietahouse/photos/a.406216253788.186067.174439018788/10153785090248789/?type=3&theater

Freeman told us: “I was appointed a senator because of Pieta House so it’s only right that Pieta House and the community benefit as a result of this. I’m only reflecting what the people of Ireland have done over the last 10 years by giving so much.

It costs Pieta House approximately €1,000 to provide a programme of therapy to one person from start to finish so this money will go towards helping people who need the service.

The charity runs the annual Darkness Into Light event, in which more than 120,000 people took part last month.

Helplines:

• Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm)
• Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
• Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
• Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
• Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

Read: Here’s who the Taoiseach has chosen to fill the remaining Seanad seats

Photos: Darkness Into Light: 120,000 people take part in annual suicide prevention event