This new app will hopefully play a big part in the fight against suicide and mental illness in the digital age.
Patrick Shaughnessy is a 22-year-old physiotherapy student, originally from Galway, who recently set up Trust Talk, a free-to-download app that you can find on the App Store and on Google Play.
The app enables users to exchange messages with accredited counsellors and to request that they get a call from them, 365 days a year.
TrustTalk24/7 is already affiliated with the Samaritans, Aware, eating disorder charity Bodywhys and suicide prevention organisation Console.
Patrick, a student of the University if Central Lancashire in Preston, managed to raise €16,000 to get the app off the ground and has seen massive interest in his innovation since launching on April 6th.
He tells us: “The idea came about a year ago. I was travelling home for Easter and the night before flying I was informed of a lad I went to school with taking his life.
“I’d had a dream the week before of a friend thanking me for an app I’d made that helped them in a time of need, so I got thinking and it all went from there.
“I lost a cousin when I was younger to suicide also so it really motivated me to make a change and reduce the number of suicides in Ireland each year.”
Main image: Patrick (right) with Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors, used with the permission of The Tuam Herald.
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