Ógra organise suicide prevention training programme

Some of the Ógra Shinn Féin activists who took part

ÓGRA Shinn Féin have worked with PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-harm) to deliver their community lifeguard training programme to over 20 young people.
The suicide prevention training programme was delivered on Sunday 18 October in Belfast to young people from across the North, including Ógra Shinn Féin activists, the Young Greens, SDLP Youth and the youngest MLA, Sinn Féin’s Daithí McKay.
Ógra Shinn Féin have been proactive and vocal on the issue of suicide awareness and prevention over the past number of years. Campaigners have been lobbying government for an adequately-resourced, all-Ireland approach to the issue of suicide prevention and raising awareness through the organising of public talks. They’ve also been involved in training dozens of young people in the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) programme by delivering the scheme in communities and colleges throughout Ireland.

SAVING LIVES
Commenting on a very productive day and thanking PIPS and the young people who took part, Ógra Shinn Féin Uladh Organiser Fra Cochrane said:
“Suicide is the biggest killer of our young people in Ireland, and is something which we as a youth organisation must be proactive in tackling.
“Ógra Shinn Féin have been extremely proactive on the issue of suicide prevention and today’s PIPS community lifeguard training is a continuation of that work, engaging more and more young people and equipping them with the skills to work in their school, community, work or family environment to be more aware of the issues surrounding suicide and to potentially save lives.”