A WATERFORD woman who lost her parents to suicide within six months of each other has urged people to talk to others and seek whatever help they need.
Genamarie Power had a six-week-old baby, her first child, when her Dad Peter (55) - a well-known Waterford fireman - took his own life in May 2017.
Six months later in November 2017, Genamarie also lost her mum, Audrey, to suicide and spoke this morning to Damien Tiernan about the shock it all caused.
"We hadn't even processed everything regarding our Dad's death when we were hit by our mother's" she said. "I was in a dark, dark place and only for my husband and kids kept me going, I don't know how I would have coped," she said.
Audrey - Genmarie's mother - availed of counselling from Pieta House when her husband died and Genamarie described herself this morning how she contacted Pieta after the death of her Dad.
She was informed about a Wexford-based counsellor, working with Pieta, whom she could visit in person or talk to over the phone but was disappointed when she didn't hear anything back afterwards.
"Unfortunately, I'm still waiting, to this day, for that call, " she said.
She said Pieta have, undoubtedly, helped many, many people - and had been helping her Mam - and it was just unfortunate she was one of those who just hadn't received the help they needed.
"I was fortunately enough to be able to afford for my own counselling," she said.
Genamarie said her parents had left a huge void in her life and she was still sad they missed out on spending time with her own two daughters.
She said talking about your grief was hugely important and she had got great comfort even by talking to her husband and indeed, her friends.
It's "good for the soul to talk" she told Damien.
You can listen back to Genamarie's interview by clicking below here...
