James Support Group is facing a funding crisis: ‘It would be horrendous if we closed’
A CROMARTY-based charity, set up in memory of a young man who died by suicide, is facing a funding “crisis” despite demand only growing for it’s life-saving services.
Patrick and Wendy Mullery held the first James Support Group session in 2017, six months after their son — a father of three — took his own life, at the age of 28. At that first session, Patrick says there were 24 people who attended, proving there was a need for the group.
Nearly seven years later, the demand has only grown — but the funding has been getting thinner, with the charity being rejected from all funding applications submitted this year.
“It’s a bit of a nightmare,” said Patrick. “Last month there were three suicides on the Black Isle, and one in Inverness — a total of four in eight days. We started this charity for a reason, and that reason hasn’t gone away…I believe it’s gotten worse. We are a necessary resource.
“If we got £1 for every person we helped last year, they would be giving us £2500. If we got £10 for every person we helped…that starts to become some sort of fund. When you think about how much it costs the NHS and police when someone attempts suicide with healthcare and road diversions — it costs a fortune, and that happens frequently. I think we are saving the government and emergency services a lot of money by preventing people reaching a point of crisis.
“There are massive resource gaps, for example there are only two NHS psychiatrists in the Highlands. I believe James Support Group, alongside other charities, help to plug those gaps. It doesn’t cost a lot to run this charity, but we’ve all got bills. I know there’s a need for what we do, but every year it’s a battle. This year, we lost that battle.
“If we were to close down our charity, it would be horrendous. Roughly 135 people are affected by just one suicide — family, friends, colleagues, schoolmates, a lot of people.
“The worst part of my job is talking to someone who has just lost a loved one to suicide. The second worst part of my job is filling out application forms.
To donate to James Support Group, visit: jamessupportgroup.com/donate-2
