Fiona and Tim Tuomey won praise for their brave appearance on The Late Late Show last night.
The couple appeared on the show to talk about the death of their 11-year-old daughter Milly, who died by suicide.
Milly took her own life just weeks after posting on Instagram that she had chosen the date of her death, and her parents came on the The Late Late Show to speak openly about the harrowing time leading up to her passing.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy, Fiona said, “The main reason we wanted to come on and talk to people was to really get across the message that you don’t know. People think of depression as a big glaring sign across somebody’s forehead… That is not necessarily the case.”
They also spoke about how the SafeTALK method can help prevent suicide through direct, supportive listening.
SafeTALK ‘suicide alertness for everyone’ is a half day training programme that prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources.
These specific skills are called suicide alertness and are taught with the expectation that the person learning them will use them to help reduce suicide risk in their communities.”
Participants learn how to provide practical help to persons with thoughts of suicide in only a few hours. Following a safeTALK workshop, you will be more willing and able to perform an important helping role for persons with thoughts of suicide.
The couple also called for the creation of a Suicide Prevention Authority to help stop similar tragedies happening to other families in Ireland.
After their appearance, the couple won praise on social media for their honesty, and people thanked them for sharing their story.
See what people had to say on Twitter:
To lose a child to suicide so recently & still have the strength & kindness for others, to go on the #latelate is such a selfless, kind, brave & important thing to do for others. Our hearts also break for you. #LateLateShow
— Fiona Kenny ???????????????? (@FionaKenny1) December 15, 2017
Governments now need to realize their promises and polices mean absolutely nothing unless impactful sustainable action is the result. We must hold them to the highest accountability on each area and promise of change. https://t.co/Oab9Q1PSAr
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) December 16, 2017
Beyond heartbreaking. Two incredible people. Had never heard of safeTALK til tonight. Worth us all educating ourselves. How long before services are up to standard in this country? #latelate https://t.co/36zobzRhCJ
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) December 15, 2017
If you saw the incredibly brave Tim and Fiona on the #LateLate last night please sign the petition for a suicide prevention authority here: https://t.co/a1DVSGHS6c https://t.co/FJIqCvIKsY
— Jennifer Stevens (@JenStevensDub) December 16, 2017
