Unfortunately more people die by suicide every year than on our roads, and every community has been affected by loss through suicide. Indeed there are many other people at risk who may have already attempted to take their own lives, and others who also self harm.
To help address this problem, a two-day suicide awareness and skills building workshop called ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training ) will take place in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, on Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11. The ASIST workshops are specifically designed to teach the skills to intervene with a person at risk of suicide. The Suicide Prevention Office of the HSE Club in association with the Ballinasloe Lions Club encourage as many people as possible to undertake the course to help prevent suicide in the community.
The course is suitable for caregivers who regularly have contact with vulnerable groups in their work or through their role in the community. All those who work with, or are in daily contact with those at risk, especially parents, teachers, school management, those in sports clubs, youth groups, financial institutions, and other community organisations, are invited to take part in the training workshops.
Participation on both days is mandatory but it is recommended that anyone who has suffered a bereavement in the last year should not apply on this occasion.
Places are limited and application forms can be obtained from Mary McGrath, resource officer for suicide prevention, HSE West Room S23, Primary Care Centre, Golf Links Road, Roscommon, Co Roscommon; by email to [email protected], or call (090 ) 666507.
Should you require any further information contact Brian Derrane of Balllinasloe Lions Club at [email protected].
