Teac Tom celebrates ten years in Kilkenny

Mental health charity, Teac Tom held a day of celebrations in Kilkenny on Monday to mark its tenth anniversary.

Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath attended a special gathering in the Town Hall in Kilkenny where he commended the team at Teac Tom for their trojan work in providing people with mental health supports and suicide intervention services.

Teac Tom's mission as a community and voluntary charity is to provide affordable and immediate services to help those struggling with their mental health or who have been bereaved by suicide.

Mayor Joe Malone attended the celebrations along with other public representatives including Cllr Deirdre Cullen, Cllr Andrew McGuinness and Deputy John McGuinness.

"Over the past ten years Teac Tom has provided an incredible service to people in Kilkenny and beyond. We are blessed to have such a service that has saved many lives, the extent of which we may never know. Angela and her staff and all of the volunteers and fundraisers for Teac Tom simply go above and beyond for the benefit of the most vulnerable in our community, those who are suffering having lost a loved one, those who are in a dark place and those who simply cannot see a light at the end of a dark tunnel, Teac Tom has been there for them and has helped to turn lives around," said Cllr Andrew McGuinness.

"In my work as a local politician I meet people every day who are going through issues that can impact on their mental health. Having done the Safe Talk course with Teac Tom and local taxi drivers it has helped me to identify these issues and then point people towards Teac Tom for that extra help that can make a huge difference in their lives. I would recommend that course to everyone.

I want to thank Angela and all at Teac Tom for all the great work they do and for making so many lives better in Kilkenny and beyond," added Cllr McGuinness.

Deputy John McGuinness congratulated Teac Tom on their tenth anniversary.

"I want to congratulate Teac Tom on their tenth anniversary and remind them of how important their work is in the local community.

“Despite the financial challenges they continue to save lives and they are a godsend for so many people suffering with mental health issues,” he said.