Suicide prevention training announced Donegal communities

Often, we only talk about mental health as an individual responsibility, but lots of things outside our control contribute to mental health.

Many of us have experienced times where life has been difficult. The last few years have been incredibly challenging especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ill-health, trauma, inequality, and discrimination, are some of the factors that can negatively impact on people’s and communities’ mental health.

Creating a world where people can create their own best possible mental health means creating a world where all systems, structures, policies, and services support this vision. Mental health is everybody’s business.

The Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention role is to support and facilitate community action on suicide prevention and self-harm prevention through the implementation of the Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CH CDLMS) Connecting for Life Implementation Plan 2022-2024 in Donegal.

By working together with people and organisations across the community, including the media, we can achieve a greater understanding of the factors that protect and improve our mental health and reduce stigma.

Suicide prevention training is organised and co-ordinated by the Resource Officers for the community and members of the public. Suicide prevention training helps to: Challenging negative ideas around stereotypes and mental health; Normalises talking about mental health and wellbeing; Avoiding using terms which can stigmatise mental health.

LivingWorks online START course teaches participants to recognise when someone is thinking about suicide and how to connect them to help and support.

safeTALK.is an internationally recognised half-day training programme that supports participants to recognise and engage persons who might be having thoughts of suicide, and to connect them with community resources. The programme stresses safety while challenging taboos that inhibit open talk about suicide.

ASIST, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, is 2-day skills-based workshop that equips participants for an effective suicide intervention role. The emphasis is on first aid – helping a person at imminent risk stay safe and seek further help.

Understanding Self Harm is a 1-day training programme which works to reduce the stigma of self-harm, improve individual and care agencies’ awareness and sensitivities to self-harm issues and promote effective care services for those who self-harm

Currently, places are available on the following trainings:

safeTALK Training, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 9.30am-1pm, Ards Friary, Creeslough, County Donegal.

safeTALK Training, Tuesday March 14, 2023, 6-9.30pm, The Exchange, Castle Avenue, Buncrana.

If you would like a training for your community or if you would like to book a place on the above training please contact your local Resource Officer on 0868379909, ciara.wray@hse.ie

Training can also be accessed here https://bookwhen.com/suicidepreventiontrainingcho1

Connecting for life is also offering a midterm conference free of charge as an opportunity to come together as a community to hear the voices of those bereaved by suicide; and to once again connect on our shared vision to reduce the suicide and self-harm rates in Donegal and among priority groups, including members of the Traveller community, our young people and people with dual diagnosis among others.

The Connecting for Life Donegal 2022-2024 Midterm Conference Suicide is Everyone’s Business, will take place on Wednesday April 19, 2023 from 9am-1.30pm in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny.

The conference is directed at community leaders and health care professionals.

Our vision at Connecting for Life Donegal is to work together to see fewer lives lost through suicide and ensure individuals and communities across our county are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

However, we are aware that discussing the reality of suicide can be especially traumatic and distressing for those recently bereaved by suicide and for anyone who has on-going struggles with suicidal thoughts.

If you would like to book a place on the conference please contact ciara.wray@hse.ie.

Are you, or someone you know, in crisis now and need someone to talk to? Please do not be alone. If you are worried about yourself or someone you know it is important to get help as soon as possible. Everyone needs help from time to time. Remember no feeling is final. Asking for help is a sign of personal strength.

Mental Health Supports available

Your first point of contact is your local GP. If it is late in the evening or at the weekend, contact your local out of hours doctor’s service: Donegal NoWDOC: 0818 400 911

Emergency Department: Letterkenny University Hospital

Contact the Emergency Services on 999 or 112;

Call the Samaritans 24-hour Freephone listening service on 116 123; or visit www.samaritans.ie

Call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, anytime day or night, for information on what other services and supports are available near you – Freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie.

Visit www.mymind.org or www.turn2me.ie

Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie or Freephone 1800 247 247.