World Suicide Prevention Day – Saturday 10th September is a time when we can spread the message and demonstrate to those in our lives and communities, that there is hope. Even though suicide is a very complex issue, we should always signal to people who are vulnerable or experiencing suicidal thoughts, that we care and want to support them. This helps to create a more compassionate society where those who need to, feel more comfortable in coming forward to seek help.
We can all contribute and play our part in creating hope in our society by engaging in the following actions:
- Increasing our awareness
- Reaching in to offer support
- Reaching out to seek support
- Being the light for others and your community
- Knowing where to turn for support and services
See the attached info piece/advert (which will be featured in all regional newspapers this week) and the link below for more detail with regard to these key actions:
Various events will be held throughout the coming weeks in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to suicide and to give and show support for their loves ones and others who have been affected by their death.
Friday 9th September: Remembrance Mass: 10am – Laois Traveller Action Group, Bridge Street, Portlaoise.
Friday 9th September: Remembrance Mass: 6pm – Offaly Traveller Movement, Hazel Hub, Tullamore.
Midland Living Links who provide a supportive listening service to those who have been bereaved through suicide have organised the following services and invite all members of the public to join them: (Co-ordinator Mobile: 086 1600 641)
Saturday 17th September: Remembrance Mass and Tree of Hope Ceremony in the Tranquillity Garden:
11am – St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, Birr.
Sunday 25th September: Tree of Hope Ceremony: 2pm – Memorial Garden, 6 Ridge Road, Portlaoise.
Sunday 25th September: Tree of Hope Ceremony: 6.30pm – Brosna Park Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
Sunday 2nd October: Remembrance Mass and Tree of Hope Ceremony: 12noon – St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Portarlington.
Pieta House provide a bereavement liaison service for those who have lost a family member or a friend or colleague to suicide and may like to avail of support with their grief. Bernie Carroll is the Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer for the Midlands and she can be contacted on 086 418 0088 or email: bernie.carroll@pieta.ie.
The following supports and services are available for all who may need to avail of them:
Local GPs and MiDoc Out of Hours Services: Midlands 1850 302 702; North East: 1850 777 911.
The Emergency Services 999/112 and Hospital Emergency Departments
Pieta House 24/7 Suicide Helpline 1800 247 247; Text HELP to 51444, Therapy Services Team: 0818 111 126.
The Samaritans 116 123; email jo@samaritans.ie
24/7 Free Text Support Service: Text HELLO to 50808 / www.text50808.ie
Information on mental health for yourself and others and details of supports and services: www.yourmentalhealth.ie / 1800 111 888
Online counselling supports: www.turn2me.ie / www.mymind.org
www.connectingforlifemidlandslouthmeath.ie for information on local supports and services, and info leaflets on self-harm, suicide and bereavement support. Also details on all training programmes available, dates and registration process – see below also.
www.stresscontrol.ie provides details of ‘Taking Control with Stress Control’ online programmes running throughout September.
Free awareness and skills training are available from the HSE to help prepare you to be in a position to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and give you the confidence, language and skills to be able to assist and connect them with helpful supports and services.
Information regarding the LivingWorks Start self-directed online programme and face to face safeTALK (suicide alertness skills training) is outlined below and on the booking website: https://bookwhen.com/suicidepreventiontrainingmidlands
LivingWorks Start (self-directed online programme) is for those who want to help prevent suicide and develop the skills to assist someone who may be
at risk of suicide. It can be completed in 1½ hours and includes a four-step model and impactful videos and simulations.
SafeTALK is a 3hr ‘suicide alertness’ programme that prepares participants to identify and engage with persons who may be having thoughts of suicide by using the steps of TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keepsafe). Individual safeTALK Workshops can be delivered upon request to groups with a min of 12 participants by contacting your local Resource Officer (contact below).
Upcoming workshops – Booking via: https://bookwhen.com/suicidepreventiontrainingmidlands
| Laois/Offaly: | Longford/Westmeath: | ||
| Date and Time: | Venue: | Date and Time: | Venue: |
| 8th Sept: 9.30am – 1pm
15th Sept.: 9.30am – 1pm 3rd Nov: 9.30am – 1pm |
Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Tullamore, Co. Offaly |
22nd Sept: 9.30am – 1pm.
3rd October: 9.30am- 1pm |
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
The prevention of loss of life through suicide requires the efforts of many – each and everyone of us, healthcare professionals, educators, community members and political officials and governments and the positive effects of all this collaborative, co-ordinated and integrated work can be sustainable and have a massive impact. On September 10th join with many others across the world who are playing their part in the prevention of suicide – https://www.iasp.info/. In all our own and unique ways, we can make a difference!