Brian Scanlon  has worked as the caretaker of Sligo Cemetery for a number of years. He has an incredible knowledge of local history. For those who frequent the cemetery, Brian is known for his compassion & kindness and for going above and beyond to help people struggling to deal with the death of a loved one. He also has a terrific sense of humour.

I remember reading an article (posted below) in The Sligo Weekender in February about how more people had died from suicide in Sligo than Covid. I reached out to Brian and went to visit him at the Cemetery and recorded our interview in person.

Virtual Tour of Sligo Cemetery

We mentioned some groups if you or one of your loved ones need support

https://www.havinalaugh.com/

https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/

https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=ireland

Article in The Sligo Weekender

At Sligo Cemetery, Brian sees aftermath of tragedy. He does all he can to help

Brian Scanlon has been the caretaker of Sligo Cemetery for years. He talks about the worrying increase in heartbreaking cases of suicide in the past year – and how he can see hope for the future

Brian says he has seen an increase in suicides since Covid struck nearly a year ago.

Speaking to the Sligo Weekender this week, Brian said: “We have seen a massive increase in suicides in the last year. To my knowledge we have had four Covid deaths and have had 16 suicides in the same period.”

Brian told me that he is speaking out because he sees the devastation that a family suffers after a suicide.

He said: “I see people who are great parents who would always have looked after their health – be it out jogging or just minding themselves and their diets.

“But once suicide hits, you meet the same people and they are a shadow of their former selves. They are like completely different people.

“I know one man all my life and he didn’t agree with taking medication. He was very health-conscious and wouldn’t even take a Disprin for a headache. Now he has to take sleeping tablets to even get three or four hours’ sleep at night. His life has been turned upside down after the suicide of a loved one.”

Every case is different. Over a number of years, Brian has seen several scenarios in the aftermath of suicide. He said: “Sometimes the bereaved are surrounded by people for two or three weeks and then they are on their own.

“With that deep, raw grief, some people are so shocked and angry it affects their personality and they fall out with their spouses, partners or other family members, with whom they had previously had great relationships. “As time passes and the grief abates a little they are often shocked at how they behaved in the initial aftermath, and they feel remorseful and have to deal with so much regret as well.” Brian says that is heartbreaking to watch. There is a wisdom about Brian Scanlon. You are struck by how easy it is to confide in him. There is a deep kindness to him – he really comes across as non-judgmental. For those reasons, it is of no surprise to hear that on top of his role as caretaker many people pour out their hearts and souls to him in the portacabin which serves as his office. He has shared many cups of tea with people who have no one to turn to and who are ravaged by grief and regret.

He said: “Often at the burial of a suicide victim I wouldn’t know the family at all initially. But in the following few months I often get to know them very well as they seek solace at the grave of their loved one.”

The rest of the transcript of Brian's interview will be on https://www.sligo.life/