Counselling 'invaluable' after daughter's death

A Strabane mother whose daughter died after taking suspected "extra-strength" drugs has said a new mental health centre in the County Tyrone town has helped her get her life back on track.

Amanda Logue’s 20-year-old daughter Andrea was found unconscious at a friend’s house in August 2023. She later died in hospital.

It is thought she had taken pregabalin, an anti-epileptic drug also used to relieve chronic pain.

Her mother Amanda completed a counselling course at the new Koram Centre after her daughter's death.

“Andrea was a very bubbly girl but she would have had her lows as well and I just think she was struggling in general," Ms Logue told BBC News NI.

In the weeks and months after Andrea's death, she said she "couldn't fathom" the grief.

"Even yet we still struggle. But for the Koram Centre - their work is invaluable," she said.

Amanda said their six-week counselling course has helped her life "back on track again".

"Of course it will never be the same again, but for the tragic circumstances that our family was thrust into - now after going through the counselling course, I feel more equipped to be able to deal with how I might be feeling as a fallout of this."

Amanda said she was really struggling around the time of Andrea's first anniversary, and when she began counselling at this time it was "an absolute blessing".

For Andrea’s brother Conor, her loss is still deeply felt.

“It’s tragic obviously, it’s still raw. It's never going to change, it might get a bit easier to deal with, which it has, but it's always going to be there", Conor told BBC News NI.

He said Andrea's death has affected them "in different ways", but acknowledged how the centre has helped his mother cope.

The Koram Centre project represents an investment of £1m from the National Lottery and Department for Communities.

Centre manager, Adrian Loughrey, said it was a vitally important new facility.

"The need in the Strabane and wider district is significant. We would average between 50 and 60 referrals per month and that has been increased over recent years," Mr Loughrey said.

The centre deals with people who have conditions such as mood disorders, stress and anxiety, and depression; but also support people who are affected by traumatic incidents including those arising from the Troubles.

Drugs and alcohol addiction also feature prominently in its work.

“We support people who are experiencing increased substance misuse and the link between substance misuse and poor mental health is well known," Mr Loughrey said.

"Substances are often used to manage and medicate poor mental health so where you have one you very often have the other and that’s something that we see in terms of increased referral in terms of alcohol and other substances," he added.

He added that "no matter the size of the town or the size of the community unfortunately it seems that the drugs are there".

Acclaimed singer song-writer, Paul Brady, launched the centre.

He says it is important that people get the help they need.

“The results of trauma are mental health problems and anxiety, and fear and all the things that drag peoples' lives down," he said.

He said the Koram Centre was "dedicated to working with people under trauma and helping them".

“These are my people. This is where I grew up until I left in my late teens so I know the place well and I know the people well, they are wonderful people in this town.

"Anything that hurts the town is a cause of concern to me so I’m delighted to be able to help out,” he added.

If you have been affected by any of the issue raised, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can also call Lifeline, external, a 24 hour helpline on 0808 808 8000.