5 March 1998 Edition
New health initiative
A ground breaking initiative designed to explore the relationship between political conflict and ill-health was launched in Derry last Friday. ``Cunamh'' (Irish for `help') is a community-led self help programme in the Bogside and Brandywell area.
Cunamh's co-ordinator, Deirdre O Hara, said the project aims to provide ``a safe and supportive environment for people to explore and understand the impact which the conflict has had upon their lives''. She stressed the necessity to tackle the ``deep trauma which this community has experienced due to the effects of militarisation, death and imprisonment''.
Cumamh is currently offering a support service to relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday and to several families of prisoners. It forms an integral part of the Bogside and Brandywell community development strategy for the area. The project has been warmly welcomed by Sinn Fein's national chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin, who said, ``This project will become a vital lifeline for many of those in our community suffering from the psychological effects of the conflict. I wish it much success.''
Cunamh's co-ordinator, Deirdre O Hara, said the project aims to provide ``a safe and supportive environment for people to explore and understand the impact which the conflict has had upon their lives''. She stressed the necessity to tackle the ``deep trauma which this community has experienced due to the effects of militarisation, death and imprisonment''.
Cumamh is currently offering a support service to relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday and to several families of prisoners. It forms an integral part of the Bogside and Brandywell community development strategy for the area. The project has been warmly welcomed by Sinn Fein's national chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin, who said, ``This project will become a vital lifeline for many of those in our community suffering from the psychological effects of the conflict. I wish it much success.''