The HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster is launching a series of suicide awareness sessions in Kilbeggan, entitled the ‘Gatekeeper Community Education Programme’, on Monday November 9 next.
The sessions will take place over a six-week period in Kilbeggan Primary School and will run for approximately two hours from 7.30-9.30pm each evening.
The programme has been developed by the Suicide Resource Office of the HSE Midlands as part of an overall suicide prevention initiative and as such covers a broad range of topics. The Community Education Services of Westmeath VEC have invited the Suicide Resource Service to deliver this Community Education Programme within their local community.
The topics covered aim to develop thinking around the subject of mental health in general, its relevance to our lives of today, and the need and importance of maintaining our own mental health and general sense of well-being.
As suicide is not an isolated event, but one which is precipitated by a crisis or a series of crises in the lives of many individuals, prevention of suicide must be broader ranging than merely focusing on this issue in isolation.
Speaking about the programme, Josephine Rigney, training and development officer, HSE Suicide Resource Office, said, “The pace of life in the 21st century places a responsibility upon all of us to increase our awareness and understanding of the complex issues that have to be faced on our individual journeys through life. This programme is aimed at everyone who has an interest and concern for themselves and their families (we are all ‘gatekeepers’ ) and also those who have an interest and commitment to developing community links within their local area – the natural ‘gatekeepers’ who are the backbone of all communities.”
Attendance at the programme is open to all members of the general public and community, and is free of charge. If you would like to attend, please contact Westmeath VEC on (090 ) 6497004 or HSE Suicide Resource Office on (057 ) 9327909.
