HUGG, Ireland’s national suicide bereavement organisation, has partnered with Bohemian Football Club to raise awareness of suicide bereavement, encourage conversations around grief after suicide, and help ensure that nobody affected by suicide has to face their loss alone.
The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to community, connection and inclusion. Together, HUGG and Bohemian Football Club will harness the power of football to raise awareness of HUGG’s free suicide bereavement supports, reach more people, and encourage fundraising and community initiatives that help ensure more people know where to turn after a suicide loss.
Every year, thousands of people across Ireland are affected by suicide loss. While men account for the majority of suicide deaths, suicide bereavement affects families, friends and communities across the country. Through this partnership, HUGG and Bohemian Football Club hope to ensure that more men and women know that support is available after a suicide loss and that they do not have to navigate grief alone. HUGG provides a free telephone support line, peer support groups, and practical information and resources for adults bereaved by suicide.
Aibhínn Conway, Head of Community at Bohemian Football Club, said: “We are proud to partner with HUGG on such an important issue. Suicide bereavement affects individuals and communities across the country, and we want to use our platform to help raise awareness of the supports available. This partnership reflects our commitment to community and to supporting people through difficult times, both on and off the pitch.”
Fiona Tuomey, Founder and CEO of HUGG, said: “We are deeply grateful to Bohemian Football Club for their commitment to this partnership. Football clubs are at the heart of communities, and Bohemians have a long history of using their platform to make a positive difference. Losing someone to suicide can leave people feeling isolated, but partnerships like this help us reach people with hope, compassion and practical support.
“HUGG looks forward to working closely with Bohemian Football Club throughout the partnership and thanks the club, its players, staff, volunteers and supporters for helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people bereaved by suicide.”
For more information, visit HUGG.ie.
About HUGG: HUGG was founded in 2017 by Fiona Tuomey, following the devastating death by suicide of her 11-year-old daughter Milly. Driven by a desire to ensure that no one bereaved by suicide would have to go without support, Fiona set up HUGG’s first support group in 2017 and HUGG was established as a registered charity in 2018, on Milly’s birthday.
HUGG focuses on “postvention” services, an important part of suicide prevention. Postvention refers to activities that occur after a suicide to help reduce the risk of further suicides or suicidal behaviours and promote hope for people bereaved by suicide.