ULSTER GAA: World Suicide Prevention Day

WORLD Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) takes place on 10th September each year.

World Suicide Prevention Day is a global day of awareness and reflection, bringing people together to reduce stigma, raise awareness and show support for those affected by suicide.

It’s also a time to remind ourselves that suicide is preventable and that every one of us has a role to play in creating a society where people feel safe, supported and able to talk about their mental health.

While there are lots we can do to look after our mental health; such as the Five Steps to Wellbeing, it is also important that as many of us as possible feel equipped to have a conversation about suicide.

There are a number of very accessible options which aim to enable any of us to have the vocabulary to talk about this very important topic.

There are introductory online training modules, which are evidence-based, free and are suitable for anyone aged 16 years and over. Individuals can access the training from any region, and are encouraged to do so.

– Let’s Talk About Suicide is online training offered through the HSE. The training can be found at traininghub.nosp.ie.

– Towards Zero Suicide is online training offered through Zero Suicide Alliance and made available through the Public Health Agency. It can be accessed at www.mindingyourhead.info/training.

For those wishing to gain more knowledge and skills; safeTALK training is another evidence-based training which is typically offered to groups in communities, so is very relevant in a GAA setting.

The safeTALK training is a mandatory element in the GAA Heathy Club Programme, so many GAA clubs will be familiar with this training.

It is important to run the course every few years to ensure as many club members as possible are skilled in safeTALK.

This course is available, most frequently for free, through our health trusts, HSE, and the Public Health Agency.

You can find-out more information about safeTALK training which is available through your health trust on:

– Six counties: mindingyourhead.info/training and then go to training providers (scroll to the bottom of the page).

– Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/connecting-for-life/training/types-of-training/#In-person%20programmes.

There are further training options available, such as ASIST training and STORM training, but these are not suitable for everyone, and would only be recommended after having completed at least one of the training programmes mentioned above.

For more information on what training is happening locally, visit:

– Six counties: www.mindingyourhead.info/training.

– Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/connecting-for-life/training/types-of-training/#In-person%20programmes.

Where to get help

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know you can contact Samaritans 24/7 on the contact details provided.

If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety call 999 or Lifeline on the contact details provided.

Any concern about our health should be brought to the attention of our GP.

– Samaritans: Call 116 123.

– Lifeline: Call 0808 808 8000 or Textphone 18001 0808 808 8000.