Project aimed at suicide awareness

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 09:54

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The launch of a suicide awareness campaign in Westport as reported in this edition (page 1B) is something that should have been implemented years ago.
The simplicity of it leaves us wondering why the provision of 24-hour helplines on information sheets posted in toilets in pubs, hotels, schools and public buildings was not thought of before.
The initiative is the brainchild of cycling enthusiast Joe McGuire who has received the backing of the garda authorities, the Mayo Wheelers cycling club and the Lions Club movement, as well as commercial interests, to get the project off the ground.

Following intensive research across the country, Joe discovered very few he questioned, including garda stations, knew the contact number for the Samaritans or where any of their offices were located.
Now the information sheets containing the contact numbers of a variety of agencies are being placed in ladies and gents public toilets where troubled individuals can access the helplines and hopefully share their burden.
In recent years Mayo has seen a dramatic increase in death by suicide. At coroners courts countywide up to 50 per cent of inquests could be suicide cases - an indication that the problem must be tackled.
This awareness pilot programme - 'Depressed? Suicidal? 50/50 Phone a Friend' lists the 24-hour contact numbers for the Samaritans, Aware, 1Life, the Rape Crisis Network, Childline and the garda confidential number.

The solid information sheets are being placed on walls in gents and ladies toilets.
As everyone now carries a mobile phone with a camera application, individuals can take a photograph of the phone numbers and contact the helplines in privacy.
Any efforts that will reduce the instances of suicide and encourage troubled souls to seek help must be welcomed and Joe and his backers deserve to be commended for their efforts.
The plan is to extend the initiative countywide and eventually countrywide.
Meanwhile, a member of Mayo County Council last week called for an awareness programme aimed at young people, pioneered by Mayo County Council.

Councillor Gerry Coyle made the call at the authority's annual budget meeting in Castlebar.
He sought an allocation to bring an initiative into the county's schools and clubs in a bid to halt what he described as 'the awful spiral of suicide'.
The cash-strapped authority may not be in a position to finance a wide-ranging awareness scheme under the present economic situation, but they could lend their backing to the Westport scheme and help have it extended to every town and village in the county.