Suicide is hard to understand. Most of us hope that it never reaches their door, yet, it reaches so many of our doors on a weekly basis. 2012 statistically was the worst year on record with 32 suicides in Kerry.
Reassuringly, in Kerry we have dedicated local services such as Console, Grow, Be Aware Prevent Suicide, Cycle Against Suicide, Living Links, Samaritans, Donal Walsh #Livelife Foundation, South West Counselling Centre and Pieta House Kerry ,striving ,individually and collectively, on a consistent daily basis to either create awareness, support people reaching out for help or comfort those bereaved by suicide.
However, as individuals we need to do and can do more to tackle Suicide in Kerry. According to Pieta House, ‘most people who are suicidal don’t really want to die. They just want the pain to stop. Most suicides are preventable.’ By talking about Suicide we can correct our lack of understanding of Suicide and by attending free SafeTALK training you can become ‘Suicide Alert’.
Last week, Hollywood actor Jeremy Irons did his part to raise awareness of the issue by unveiling a plaque in Waterville in memory of all those who have died by Suicide. Jeremy describe Suicide as “something we don’t understand.” He went on to say “but I think all we can do is to say it exists. People who have those tendencies should be helped as much as they can with friendship, with love, with community, with talking about it, with having someone on the end of the phone they can ring and say how they feel because it’s not that rare.”
By empowering yourself with free SafeTALK training being delivered locally by the HSE you will be better placed to identify and respond to a family member, friend, neighbour, colleague and stranger who is suicidal. According to Julieann Lane, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with the HSE in Kerry, ” great work is happening with the safeTALK training courses and on a National basis a campaign called “the little things campaign” which was promoted on Radio Kerry last bank holiday weekend is taking shape”
Why attend a SafeTALK training session?
These half day trainings programs are specifically designed to prepare attendants with the ability to identify a person with thoughts of suicide and enable them to connect with resources needed. Specifically called ‘suicide alertness’ these skills are taught with the intention that those learning them will use them to help reduce suicide risk in their own community.
What happens at SafeTalk training?
• Expect attitudes and beliefs to be challenged.
• Learn why it is important to be suicide alert.
• Be able to ask questions and enter into discussion.
• Learn precise practical steps to take if presented with a person at risk.
• Practice the ‘tell, ask, listen and keepsafe’ connection approach to first aid prevention
• Conclude with suicide alert practice.
Attending one of these training sessions will help to move beyond the very common tendencies to miss or dismiss and even avoid the signs of suicide risk.
Who should attend SafeTalk training?
This training is suitable for everyone over 18 years of age who wants to help prevent suicide and become suicide alert.
It has been advised that one should not attend this training if they have experienced bereavement within the past two years OR attended an ASIST workshop.
SafeTALK Kerry Training Schedule
21st September 2015
10am to 1.30pm
Delivered by Sylvia Hughes at the Listowel Family Resource Centre
Tel: 068 23584 e-mail listowelfrcsylvia@gmail.com
2nd October 2015
9.30am to 1pm
Delivered by Julieann Lane at Aiseanna na hoige, Dingle
Tel: 066 7184535 e-mail Julieann.lane@hse.ie
7th October 2015
6pm to 9.30pm
Delivered by Laura Dineen at Kerryhead / Ballyheigue Family Resource Centre
Tel: 066 7116961 e-mail ballyheiguefrc@gmail.com
15th October 2015
10am to 1.30pm
Delivered by Elaine Deinum at Southwest Family Resource Centre, Cahersiveen
Tel: 066 948 1000 e-mail swkerryfrc@eircom.net
Local Supports Available
Samaritans
Cycle Against Suicide
Pieta House
Console
South West Counselling Service
Donal Walsh #LiveLife
Turn2Me
Ó Lá Go Lá
Written by Wendy Brosnahan
