Each programme session starts with a short mindfulness exercise.  Participants then check in saying how they are in coming to the programme that day and get support from facilitators and the group.  This is followed by a tea/ coffee break.  The remainder of the time is taken up with an educational session and check out where participants can share how they are at the end of the session and if and how they think they can apply their learning from the day.

The educational sessions cover a different topic each week ranging from emotions and emotional awareness to building resilience, through self-acceptance, relationships and relationship building, diet, exercise and mental health, spirituality, depression, anxiety, suicide, building hope, and building supports to meet your needs among many others.  We also have guest speakers who share their own experience of struggles with their mental health and suicide and what has helped them.

The programme also contains a 2-day WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) Programme where you can develop your own Wellness Action Plan that goes right through from daily mental health maintenance, to identifying and planning for triggers, identifying when your mental health is challenged and planning for what to do if this happens, right through to crisis and post-crisis planning.

The programme is funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention, so there is no fee to attend. Participants are asked to make a financial contribution each week. The amount is dependant on their means and is agreed with each individual at their interview for the programme.

The programme is run by two facilitators who have a background in psychology or counselling/ psychotherapy who have been trained by Suicide or Survive to facilitate the Eden Programme.  We also have a range of guest speakers who have personal experience and/or expertise in particular topics.

The programme also contains a 2-day WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) Programme where you can develop your own Wellness Action Plan that goes right through from daily mental health maintenance, to identifying and planning for triggers, identifying when your mental health is challenged and planning for what to do if this happens, right through to crisis and post-crisis planning.

The programme is open to people over the age of 18 years who have attempted or contemplated suicide.  Participants are required to have access to counselling/ psychotherapy outside of the programme to support them while they are attending.

We only take self-referrals for the programme, so you don’t need to be referred by anyone.  The first step is to download the application form, complete and return it to us either by email to eden@suicideorsurvive.ie or by post to the address on the bottom of the form.  We will email you to let you know we have received your completed application form when it arrives.  The next step is a holistic interview with two members of the Eden Team.  Everyone who applies is invited to interview.  This is an informal process where the team can find out more about you and why you have applied for the programme so that they can see if it can meet your needs and you can find out more about the programme to see if it is something you think can be of benefit to you.