Mayo campaigner highlights workplace bullying ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day

AS more people return to the workplace, a Mayo mental health, suicide and addiction campaigner has warned about the impacts of bullying at work.

Joe McGuire, of Mayo Addiction and Suicide Awareness (MAASA), highlighted the issue ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, which takes place tomorrow (Friday, September 10).

MAASA operate two drop-in centres in Mayo - in Castlebar and Ballina - and their experience of people using their services is that workplace bullying can lead to depression and suicide.

With many having worked from home since the start of the pandemic, Mr. McGuire said they had now found that many people affected were now saying to them that 'we are all equal'.

If any good had come from the pandemic, it is this realisation, he said. “We are all equal. It doesn't matter how much money you have or your position. With the virus, everyone gets the same treatment.”

MAASA has had people come to them pre-pandemic to talk about the impact of bullying on their lives.

“At the end of the day we are all equal and no one has any authority to bully anyone,” said Mr. McGuire.

If anyone has concerns about returning to work, Joe invited them to get in contact with either of their centres for a chat. You can contact Joe directly on (086) 8702062, or check out their website www.mayoaddictionandsuicideawareness.ie or social media https://www.facebook.com/MayoAddictionSuicideAwareness/.

MAASA has been operating a drop-in centre for a number of years now in Castlebar and earlier in 2021 opened a new centre in Ballina to service the north Mayo, where there is demand for their services.

Both centres also have charity shops and donations - shoes, clothes, bags, bric-a-brac - are always much appreciated to fund their work.