'People should not have to face pyrite crisis alone'
The trauma of discovering pyrite in your home can be especially difficult for people living alone.
A psychotherapist who had to deal with the pyrite crisis on her own has set up a support group for others who are in a similar situation.
Anne, who did not wish to give her surname when the spoke to her at last week's public meeting in Ballina, said her husband passed away in 2023 and she discovered their home had pyrite a year later. Through her own experiences, she discovered there was no specific support group for people who are dealing with defective concrete blocks on their own, whether they are widowed, separated, divorced or otherwise alone.
“As a psychotherapist, I thought it would be useful to hear other people’s stories so they could share their ideas, their concerns, anxieties and their anger. There is a lot of deep despair,” Anne told the Western People.
“But also, this process is about making decisions - and making decisions under such distress can be very difficult and emotionally overwhelming.”
The group is currently meeting once a month in Ballina and keeps in regular contact via a WhatsApp group. There are plans to extend meetings to Westport where the pyrite crisis has also impacted homeowners.
“Sharing experiences is important,” said Anne. “There is no roadmap for this and each one of our journeys is very different. Some people are at building stages, others are still testing and we’re all learning from each other. A lot of people get practical knowledge and information as well.”
She said she feels that participants and attendees are really getting something out of attending the meetings and urged anyone who is dealing with defective concrete blocks alone to come to the group to partake in their meetings, share or just listen. The group is completely confidential.
“Building is one of the most difficult things you will ever do but doing so after a trauma like a loss or separation or divorce, it’s another trauma on top of a trauma," explained Anne.
“Some people wake up in a panic in the night and think what do I do? Sometimes sharing that with someone can take that anxiety and reduce it a tiny bit. It won’t end it or cure it, but it will help us through the journey.”
To find out more, you can contact Anne at 089-2666389.
