The HSE Kerry Area and Castleisland Family Resource Centre will join forces on Tuesday November 18th to present suicide prevention training through its programme, SafeTALK. The programme aims to increase awareness of self-harm and suicide. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe.
Alert helpers are trained to know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. A SafeTALK trained helper will become better able to: move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide; identify people who have thoughts of suicide; apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep Safe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
Suicide is one of the three leading causes of death worldwide for people between 15 and 45 years of age, according to the World Health Organisation.
The SafeTALK training package involves powerful video clips, illustrating both non-alert and alert responses to suicide.
“This short training programme provides all members of the community with the skills of awareness that suicide exists in our community and provides them with the opportunity to up skill themselves to be suicide alert helpers. SafeTALK provides participants with the skills and tools to save lives,” said Cathy O’Sullivan, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator for the Kerry Mental Health Service.
Anyone concerned about suicide should contact the emergency services numbers: 999 or 112; The Samaritans at 116 123; 1Life at1800 24 71 000 or the HSE helpline at 1800 74 2645.
Pre booking is essential and some places are still available for attending SafeTALK which will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm. To book your place you’re invited to ring: 087 75 53066
