New art project on impact of drug-related bereavement unveiled

30 Aug 2024

• UCC researchers, artist Spicebag and community partners unveil art project to mark International Overdose Prevention Day.
• Ireland has the highest rates of drug deaths in the EU.
• The impact of drug-related bereavement is a significant and often overlooked public health issue.

An art project exploring the impact of drug-related bereavement was unveiled at an event hosted by Senator Lynn Ruane at University College Cork (UCC) on Friday, 30 August.

The ‘Hidden Grief’ project is a collaboration between UCC researchers, the artist Spicebag, and community partners. The art project aims to bring visibility to the complex and stigmatised grief experienced by those who have lost loved ones or clients to drug-related deaths.

Ireland has the highest rates of drug deaths in the EU, suffering four times the average fatality rate. A recent Citizens’ Assembly report highlighted the significant increase in drug-related deaths in the last four years, warning of “alarming levels” of death.

Researchers at UCC School of Applied Psychology have collected the stories of people affected by drug-related bereavement, including families, peers and service providers across a range of health, social and justice systems. Created by Spicebag, the art project ‘Hidden Grief’ shines a light on these diverse experiences in people’s own words.

A tsunami of grief

Starting on International Overdose Prevention Day on Saturday, 31 August, the art project will be projected in Cork city centre nightly for one week as part of world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

Dr Sharon Lambert, Senior Lecturer in UCC School of Applied Psychology, said: “Bereavement for those connected to people who used drugs often results in a complicated grief with significant social and health implications. The stigmas associated with drug use can lead bereaved individuals to struggle with shame, isolation, and a lack of social support while grieving. Those who are bereaved due to drug-related circumstances often experience a complicated tsunami of grief, with their identities and sense of community shattered by the loss.”

Aileen Malone, Families for Drug Reform and mother of the late journalist and activist Dara Quigley, said: “The grief of a drug death is lasting and profound. It is complicated grief that is extraordinarily difficult for those left behind. And always the wondering, could things have been different?”

Senator Lynn Ruane said: “For far too long there has been a hidden grief in many communities across the country in regards to drug related deaths. The loss of life never getting the attention, resources or compassion offered to those who lose someone to other causes of death. This in my mind is largely due to social class and the stigma related to drug dependency in Ireland. I hope this art piece and event is one of many more and we work together to reduce drug related deaths and cultivate more compassion across our society.”

Significant public health risks

Daniel O’Callaghan, PhD student in UCC School of Applied Psychology, said: “Policies and services must recognise and respond to drug-related complicated grief outcomes as significant public health risks. Urgent action is needed across primary care, addiction, and recovery services to provide information and support services that respond to inherently complicated and individualised grieving experiences. Integrated care approaches should consider and address the experiences of families, peers, and workers following drug-related deaths of loved ones or clients.”

On Friday, 30 August, an event to launch the ‘Hidden Grief’ project took take place at UCC. Chaired by Senator Lynn Ruane, it featured a panel discussion with Dr Sharon Lambert and Daniel O’Callaghan, UCC School of Applied Psychology; Aileen Malone, Families for Drug Reform and mother of the late journalist and activist Dara Quigley; artist Spicebag and Mark Wright, The Recovery Academy Cork.

The ‘Hidden Grief’ project is funded by Cork City Council Trauma Sensitive City initiative; UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; TUSLA and CRDATF with technical support from Aaron Bolger, UCC School of Applied Psychology, and Bus Eireann, Cork.

The initiative is supported by Cork Simon, The Cork Alliance, The Recovery Academy, Citywide and The Traveller Visibility Group which all work with people who have been impacted by drug related bereavement.