Pictured at the launch of the new Mental Health Awareness leaflet at C&R Print, Enniscorthy are Lani Walker (Walker’s Leaflet Distribution), John Broaders, Mike Roche (C&R Print) and Kieran Daly (Kieran Daly Design). Pic: Christy Farrell

A GROUP of Wexford people have joined forces to create a new flyer, spreading information of mental health services available to people who may be struggling.

John Broaders, a truck driver from Wexford town came up with the idea after a spate of recent suicides spurred him into action.

“I sat down, after hearing about so many sad cases, and made a list of people I knew who had taken their own lives. After 20 minutes I had 40 names of people I knew and grew up with.”

The idea of the flyer, which is to be delivered to all Wexford town addresses plus a large number of address in towns and villages on the outskirt of the town, came to him as he thought about the idea of people having the information close to hand.

“I thought if people had these numbers in front of them, all in one place, it might help.”

He said he subsequently made four phone calls and within ten minutes the plan was in place.

Ciaran Daly designed the leaflet. Lee Gabbitt from Atlantis Seafood sourced and negotiated with printers C+R who kindly agreed to print 10,000 copies for free and Lani Walker was happy to deliver the leaflets to the various locations.

Mr. Broaders, thanking those involved in the project, said he was hoping to have a flyer in every house within seven to ten days. He subsequently was delighted to receive a donation of a further 20,000 leaflets from the printers meaning that they will be able to cover the whole county.

“I’m also hoping to get them into places where people congregate like the library, pubs, GAA clubs etc. As well as helping people, it might get people talking about the issue and that can only help.”

He added: “I have a pain in my heart passing by 10-15 friends in Crosstown while on the way to visit my parents.”