The HSE, in partnership with other organisations and community and volunteer groups is developing a Suicide Prevention Action Plan for County Donegal.
Although a lot of good work is going on in the county, there is still much that can be done to promote mental health, prevent further suicide deaths, and support those who are bereaved. A key part of the development of an action plan is providing an opportunity for as many people as possible to have their say regarding what should be included.
“We believe that suicide prevention is everyone’s business and we all need to be aware of what we can do, individually and as part of our community to promote mental health and reduce suicide,” said Maire O’Leary, HSE Social Inclusion Manager who is part of the team preparing the local action plan.
“We have arranged a number of consultation workshops that will take place in September across Donegal. Everyone is welcome to come along to a workshop to find out more about the plan and to share their thoughts and ideas on what we need to consider. We are also distributing postcards, which have two questions we would like people to respond to, to Health Centres, libraries, Family Resource Centres, council Public Service Centres , and other locations. We have the same questions on an online survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/donegalsuicideprevention, so that people can also give us their feedback online if they prefer,” she concluded.
Anna Sheridan, Suicide Resource Officer for the HSE explained, “The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is currently working to develop a national suicide prevention framework on behalf of the Department of Health. This will build on prevention measures and reduce the risk factors for suicidal behaviour. We are working alongside the NOSP to prepare our own local action plan specifically for Donegal. There are a number of actions that will be co-ordinated at a national level which will support what we decide to do locally.
“We have a great team leading the project with members from all sectors of the county, including Bereavement Support groups, the Gardaí, GPs, Coroners, Donegal County Council, Donegal Youth Service, community, sports, and arts orgranisations and various services within the HSE. This wide membership will ensure that the action plan will take account of the range of groups, organisations, and services that can work together to prevent suicide. While we may not be able to include all suggestions in the plan we will definitely take account of the ideas we get. We will review all suggestions, taking account of relevant evidence and the NOSP actions to develop our county action plan.” The HSE is asking for the people and communities of Donegal to take part in this important consultation process.
Don’t forget you can:
– Drop into a workshop
– Fill in a postcard
– Or take the online survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/donegalsuicideprevention
Workshops will take place at the following locations:
Inishowen, Monday September 15th, 11.00am – 1.00pm @ Carndonagh Public Service Centre
Letterkenny, Fanad, and Rosguill, Thursday September 18th, 6.30pm – 9.00pm @ Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
North West Donegal, Monday September 22nd, 6.30pm – 9.00pm @ Garradh Cholmcille, Falcarragh
East Donegal, Tuesday September 23rd, 2.00pm -4.00pm @ Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre, Lifford
South Donegal, Monday September 29th, 6.45pm – 9.00pm @ Donegal Town Family Resource Centre
(Source – Donegal Now – 09/09/2014)