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The founder of suicide awareness charity PIPS Hope and Support has received an MBE in King Charles New Year Honours List.
Seamus McCabe received the award for voluntary Service to the community in Newry, Mourne and Down. He has dedicated the award to his son Seamas whoo died by suicide in April 2003 aged just 20.
Seamus established PIPS Hope and Support in 2003 following the tragic loss of his son. Determined to provide vital support to individuals and families affected by suicide and mental health challenges, Seamus has been instrumental in developing the charity into the leading suicide prevention organisation in the Southern Trust area.
Speaking on receiving the award Seamus said "I am incredibly proud to receive this honour, which truly reflects the unwavering and continued support my wife Rita and family have provided me over the past 21 years.
"It also highlights the hard work, dedication, commitment, and determination of our Staff, Trustees, and Volunteers at PIPS Hope and Support over the years. They have consistently gone above and beyond to deliver high quality mental and emotional support, suicide prevention, and educational training in our community. Each member has shown their commitment as key workers and care professionals by swiftly adapting, ensuring safety, and sustaining our specialised services for those we assist."
Seamus added "This honour forms part of my son Seamas's legacy to help save lives from suicide and is dedicated to every individual within the PIPS Hope and Support family who has excelled in the most challenging circumstances. My heartfelt thanks go out to them all."
Thanks to Seamus’s drive and passion PIPS Hope and Support has expanded its services to include crisis counselling, bereavement support, suicide awareness training, and education workshops. The organisation now operates from premises in Newry and Lurgan, with outreach hubs across the Southern Trust area, employing a dedicated team of professionals committed to supporting those in need.
A much welcomed initiative saw the development and launch of The WELL-Bean Café, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. This out-of-hours crisis café provides a safe, welcoming space for individuals experiencing mental or emotional distress, offering immediate support during evenings and weekends. 
In September 2023, PIPS Hope and Support celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of dedicated service to the community. Seamus’s unwavering commitment has been a lifeline to many, with the charity providing support to over 600+ people annually and positively impacting thousands of individuals over the past 20 years. 
Seamus’s hard work and dedication have been previously recognised with him receiving a civic award in 2022 from Newry, Mourne, and Down District Council, honouring his commitment to the organisation and the community.
A spokesperson for PIPS concluded "This MBE is a testament to Seamus’s tireless efforts and the profound impact he has made in the sector. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Seamus on this well-deserved recognition and express our deepest gratitude for his unwavering dedication to suicide prevention and mental health support in our community."
