NOELLE McAlinden – a well-known educationalist, creative advisor, artist and founding member of the Aisling Centre's Hope, Healing and Growth event – will share her very personal and challenging story of a family bereaved by suicide to inspire others to find their own creativity and sense of purpose at the upcoming virtual event on January 9.

A native of Armagh who has been living in Fermanagh since 1983, Noelle is the eldest of seven children, and has always held family close to her heart.

Bereaved by suicide, tragically losing two precious sisters over a 21-year period, Noelle is committed to promoting positive mental health and suicide prevention with her innate empathy and compassion for others.

This is reflected in her involvement in NI Arts and Mental Health Festival, as a volunteer with the Aisling Centre, and as a member of Ohana Zero Suicide Team, dedicated to suicide prevention across Ireland.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter about her talk at the upcoming Hope, Healing and Growth event, Noelle said: "My focus is going to be looking at hope, healing and growth after suicide.

"I have no intention of being grim, but I do know we have to talk about suicide, having lost two sisters to suicide over a 21-year period."

Noting that she is "very aware" that, as a result of Covid-19, many people have lost loved ones, she added: "But I’m also aware of the number of suicides. I feel very strongly that our mental health has been really challenged over these times."

Importance of connection

When she first moved to Enniskillen 38 years ago, Noelle explained that she didn't know anybody, which could have been very isolating.

"I got to know people very quickly as a teacher, but also as somebody who got involved in local community groups," added Noelle, who has been a volunteer with local groups for many years.

"I think that’s the real key, because if you’re connected to a community, or if you feel like you’re part of something, then you are, I suppose, supported in a way."

"When we were in lockdown, and we had our sisters’ anniversaries – for my sister, Roisin, who died 21 years ago, and my sister, Anita, who died four years ago – those were very emotional times for us as families, because we were remembering that.

"I suppose what I felt was that even though I was on my own, I didn’t feel alone, because I could connect with family, friends and the community that I’m very much a part of," she told this newspaper, adding that she feels grateful to be part of 'the Fermanagh family', being involved in the arts, education, community and voluntary work.

"Also, as a cancer survivor, I’m very aware of the fragility of life. You don’t take anything for granted," she said.

Noelle is passionate about all art forms and is proactive in the promotion of visual and performing arts across all generations.

"I’ve been thinking about our own creativity and expression. I feel really strongly that if we can express ourselves, whether it’s sadness or joy or isolation, we can do that in a very healthy way through the arts – through music, through the visual and performing arts, and writing.

"There are so many ways," she said, adding: "I’m involved in lots of things. and that’s really helped me."

At the Hope, Healing and Growth event on January 9, Noelle wants to use her talk to help support people who may be feeling very low at this time.

"We deliberately have this event at this time of year. It’s a very important part of the year, and we are hoping that in 2021 we will begin a new year and a new beginning.

"But every day is a new beginning – it’s not about making brand-new resolutions, it’s about beginning a new year with the belief that there is hope, and that there is health, and there is healing," said Noelle.

"My angle will be looking at the whole area of creativity and self-expression. It’s not a presentation to fear because I’m talking about suicide," she told this newspaper.