Console
Console says it wants to address issues such as suicide on the London Underground and the recession's impact on mental health
An Irish suicide prevention charity plans to open a support centre in London later this year.
Console runs a helpline and operates five full-time centres and a number of outreach centres across the Republic of Ireland but has had discussions with the Department of Health and the Metropolitan Police about opening a centre in London.
The London centre, which is expected to be opened by the end of the year, will work with individuals and families that have been affected by suicide and provide information, training and education for relevant groups such as businesses on issues such as suicide prevention.
Ciarán Austin, director of services at Console, said it hoped to address issues such as suicide on the London Underground and the continuing impact of the recession on mental health. "We have heard time and time again that there’s a need for the service, so we’re really doing this with a view to meeting that need," he said.
"Given the size of London, we’re under no illusions as to the scale of the job in hand. But this will be a new centre in the UK and, in time, hopefully that will lead to more."
Austin said that it was still finalising the location of the London centre and how many staff it would employ. The charity is in process of registering with the Charity Commission, he added.
Console was set up in Ireland in 2002 and employs 80 staff. Last year, the charity had a turnover of €1.4m (£1.1m).
