Welcome to the Family Centre Castlebar

loss & bereavment


We all have to grieve at some time in our lives

Death is a normal end to life. While grief is a normal process the death of somebody you love is one of the most difficult and stressful times in life. This can be further complicated if the death is sudden or tragic such as in the event of accidents and suicide. Everybody experiences grief and bereavement differently and yet there are common aspects to our grieving as well. Sometimes people wonder whether they are going crazy or "losing the plot" because of the depth of emotions. Other times we feel bad because there are times that we may feel reasonably good and can even feel guilty about this. This evening seminar on Loss and Bereavement will explore some of these issues and will focus on trying to help us to understand how we grieve and how we can best cope with it. It is open to all adults.

Date: Wednesday 13th March

Time: 8 p.m - 10 p.m.

Facilitator: Patricia Hannon.
Patricia is an accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor. She currently works for the HSE as a grief therapist. While most of her work is with general bereavement she also specialises in Suicide and other traumatic bereavements. She has experienced loss and grief in her own life and she is passionate about helping people to understand that grief is a normal process.

Cost: €10

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The Rainbows Programme

Rainbows is a group programme which supports children who have suffered a significant loss through separation, death or any painful transition. It is available for children and young people from seven years to eighteen years of age.

The Family Centre Rainbows Programme recommences on:
Wednesday Jan 9th 2013 at 7.00 p.m.
Cost: Free of Charge
Led by: Trained Rainbows Facilitators.

A new Rainbows programme will commence in Autumn 2013. Details will be available later in the year on our website: www.thefamilycentre.com


Young Adult Suicide Bereavement Support Group

The Family Centre will offer a 6 week support group for young adults between the ages of 18 years - 30 years who are affected by death through suicide either as a family member or as a friend or colleague. The group aims to be a safe, non-judgmental and confidential place where people who have been bereaved through suicide can explore the issues that it has brought up for them and to help them cope with the loss of the person who has died.

Dates: Thursdays April 11th, 18th, 25th, May 2nd, 9th & 16th.

Time: 8.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m.

Cost: Donation

Contact: Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, Counsellor, at the Centre prior to booking.

Facilitators: Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, Counsellor and Paula Sheridan, Bereavement Support Worker.

Talking to children about death and loss

This seminar is to help parents, family members and teachers examine ways in which they can talk with children about the death of somebody close to them or other deep losses in their lives. There are no easy means of doing this but the programme will explore what approaches are more likely to be helpful when talking with children about this difficult experience in their lives.

Date: Wednesday 17th April

Time: 7.30 p.m - 9.00 p.m.

Presenter: Finn Mc Carthy.
Finn is a Senior Psychologist with the HSE and she has considerable experience in supporting children to cope with a range of challenges as they grow up including coping with the death of a loved one.
Cost: Free of Charge

Venue: Family Centre, Chapel St., Castlebar

This programme is being offered in association with the Mayo Education Centre.


Bereavement Support Group

The Family Centre provides a Bereavement Support Service to individuals on an ongoing basis. In addition if a sufficient number of people wish to be part of a Bereavement support group that will meet on a monthly basis they can contact us and we will enable the group to meet. The group will be facilitated by the Family Centre bereavement support team.

Suicide Bereavement Support Group

The Family Centre will offer a 6 week support group for individuals who are affected by death through suicide. The group aims to be a safe, non-judgmental and confidential place where people who have been bereaved through suicide can work towards healing and growth.

Dates: Tuesdays Jan. 29th. Feb. 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, March 5th.

Time: 8.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m.

Contact Máire Ní Dhomhnaill at the Centre prior to booking.

Cost: donation


Invitation - Suicide Awareness Training
If you would like to have a one day training course on Suicide Awareness for your group or Community, or you want a two and a half hour presentation on the same subject which would be available in the evenings, then you are invited to contact Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, Counsellor, at the Family Centre. Tel. 094 90 25900