About Us
Learn about our history, mission, and the dedicated team behind the Niamh Louise Foundation
Background
The Niamh Louise Foundation was established in February 2006 following the death by suicide of 15-year-old Niamh McKee in November 2005. Her passing had a profound impact on her local rural community in Clonmore, outside Dungannon, highlighting a critical lack of accessible suicide bereavement and mental health support services in the area.
In response, Niamh's family and members of the community founded the charity to ensure that individuals and families affected by suicide would have somewhere to turn. Since then, the Foundation has grown into a well-established, community-based organisation working across Northern Ireland, particularly supporting rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Today, based in Cookstown, the Foundation continues to honour Niamh's memory by providing compassionate, person-centred support to those experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or sudden bereavement.
‘Remember’
A poem by Níamh
My tears of sorrows have been cried
I really don't need you to cry them for me
Instead, sing, laugh and dance… for me
Remember me, but don't hold on too long,
Because you know I am waiting for you
on the other side
My tears of sorrow have been cried
I really don't need you to cry them for me
Instead, create, write and draw… for me
Remember me, but don't hold on too long,
Because you know I've had a great time
and don't regret a thing.
My tears of sorrow have been cried
I really don't need you to cry them for me
Instead, inspire others and teach… for me
Remember me, but don't hold on too long
Because I have been taught and inspired and
learned from the best.
My tears of sorrow have been cried
I really don't need you to cry them for me.
Instead Love and be Loved… for me.
Remember me, but don't hold on too long
Because I Love you with all of my heart and
want you to be happy again and NEVER
forget how much I Love you.
Lots of Love Níamh xoxo
I'll Sit With You For A While
A poem by Catherine McBennett
I'll sit with you for a while; I can see the dishes are still in the sink and the dishwasher has yet to be emptied, but that's ok as I'll sit with you for a while.
I can see the wash is still in the basket, clothes have yet to be folded, and a wash needs to dry on the line, but that's ok as I'll sit with you for a while.
The floors need hoovered and washed; the blinds on the windows need cleaned, but all that can wait as I'll sit with you for a while.
The world is flying by so fast; time no longer exists as the days, weeks, months, and year's roll on and wait for no one, but that's ok as I'll sit with you for a while.
Can I ask what ails you that you can no longer do these simple tasks? Could it be an illness that has you frozen? Maybe physical or emotional that stops you today, but that's ok as I'll sit with you for a while.
Maybe it's a bereavement? Have you lost someone you love? It doesn't matter how they died, I can see you are missing them today and you called out and asked for me to sit with you for a while.
The world is busy and moving so fast and here in my house there is peace and calm, but it's not your time to join us here, so take a minute as I sit with you for a while.
Catherine McBennett
February 2026
Aims
The core aim of the Niamh Louise Foundation is to provide a safe, supportive environment where anyone can talk openly about their mental health, including thoughts of suicide or self-harm, without fear of judgement.
The organisation works to:
- Reduce suicide rates through prevention, intervention, and postvention support
- Raise awareness and challenge stigma around suicide and self-harm
- Provide early intervention and education to individuals and communities
- Support those bereaved or affected by suicide
- Promote recovery, resilience, and long-term wellbeing
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to offering hope, understanding, and a pathway to recovery for every individual.
Team
The Niamh Louise Foundation is led by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and directors who bring a wide range of professional and lived experience to their work.
20th Anniversary Gala Ball
The team at our Cookstown centre
Board of Directors
Core Staff
A small core staff team delivers day-to-day services from our centre in Cookstown
Directors
Directors provide governance and strategic direction
Trained Team
All team members are trained in ASIST and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
We place training, expertise, and lived experience at the heart of our work. Our work has been recognised with awards including the Mid Ulster Business Award (2011), Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (2017), and national recognition as a finalist in the Family Support Organisation of the Year (2017) and the National Lottery Awards (2022).
Together, the team is united by a shared commitment to compassion, inclusion, and community impact — ensuring that everyone who reaches out is met with empathy, respect, and understanding.
With decades of experience, highly skilled staff, and a record of impact, the Niamh Louise Foundation is a trusted provider of essential mental health support across Northern Ireland.