Athlone and Roscommon Lions Clubs are urging those who work with young people to attend a seminar to help reduce suicides in the Midlands area.
The Lions Clubs of Ireland have teamed up with the Health Service Executive (HSE ) to encourage as many people as possible from their local areas who work with children, to undertake Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST ) to help prevent suicide in the community.
Essentially, ASIST is a two-day workshop designed to teach the skills to competently and confidently intervene with a youth at risk of suicide in a bid to help young people who are at risk and prevent the loss of life.
RTÉ Midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly, who is vice district governor of the Lions Clubs of Ireland, is encouraging people in the locality, particularly those who work with young people on a professional or voluntary basis, to take part.
“By taking part in this special two-day training programme, the local community can help young people at risk and prevent the loss of life in our community,” he said.
“We are particularly inviting all those who work with, or are in daily contact with teenagers and those at risk, especially parents and those in sports clubs, youth groups, and other organisations, to take part in this seminar.
“These are the people on the frontline and in the position where, given the training, can spot the signs of depression and get that young person the help they need and ultimately save their life.”
People can nominate someone whom they feel would make a difference in the community by attending the course - all you have to do is ask their permission.
The next course will take place in Athlone IT on Tuesday May 25 and Wednesday May 26 and your nominees will be notified.
Forms can be obtained from Treasa Fox at AIT and can be sent to either Roscommon Lions Club ASIST Project Office, The Quad Youth Centre, Circular Road, Roscommon, or email the person’s name and number to [email protected] as soon as possible.
