Tackling suicide in the community

Untimely accidental deaths are rightly described as tragedies. But tragic is a word quite often used to describe another form of death - the taking of one's own life. And it is tragic that people feel the need to end their own lives for whatever reason, whether it be a school child trying to deal with bullying, a business person trying to cope with recession, or a top sports star attempting to deal with the pressures of a media-driven lifestyle. In many cases, a reason is never known, and many families and communities across the country have been left asking 'why?' Therefore, the launch last week of three new practical resources to assist those responding to suicide in their communities is to be welcomed. Minister Kathleen Lynch launched a community booklet, national quality standards and a training programme, developed by HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and Console. These are: 'Suicide Prevention in the community: A practical guide'; National Quality Standards for the provision of suicide bereavement services in Ireland, and a mental health promotion training programme for staff caring for older persons. Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch that there is not a community in Ireland that has not been affected by the trauma and despair that surrounds suicide. There are no easy interventions that will guarantee success, she admitted. "The challenge of suicide prevention is now one of the most urgent issues facing society and I am confident that by working collectively - policy makers, families and communities, service providers and service users - we can respond to this challenge," she said. 'Suicide Prevention in the community: A practical guide" is a result of a number of community groups formed in the West of Ireland in response to suicide. The guide is the first of its kind in Ireland; it contains useful and practical advice on how best to set up a community response group to suicide. It lists the 'do's' and 'don'ts' of how best to support a grieving community and try to prevent further suicides in an area. Good practice guidelines are outlined for schools, third level colleges, youth clubs and centres, workplaces and sports groups. It will be available on the www.nosp.ie website, www.hse.ie website. The National Office for Suicide Prevention works with over 40 partners to ensure that good practice is followed in all collective efforts to prevent suicide in communities. These three practical resources will be important in guiding groups wishing to undertake work on suicide prevention to do so in a collaborative, evidence-based and safe way. Many community groups are formed following a death by suicide in an area and communities often struggle to know exactly what to say and do. This booklet, national guidelines and training programme are tools to support communities to address suicide to ensure that they are offered reassurance and sound advice at a time of great distress. The NOSP, Console, and Turas le Cheile bereavement support service have worked on developing 'The National Quality Standards for the provision of suicide bereavement services'. The resource was created to establish national standards for all levels of suicide bereavement support services in Ireland. Training staff in ways to promote positive mental health is seen internationally as an effective approach in identifying persons at risk of suicide. Older people can be at risk of mental health problems or suicide. The new training programme focuses on increasing awareness of depression and suicide in the older person. The programme was developed by the HSE along with voluntary organisations and groups providing a range of services to older persons. The course is designed to improve the confidence, and knowledge of all carers working with older people. Initially this training will be available to the West and will be rolled out to the rest of the country by the end of the year. On a local basis, work of organisations such as the local Lions Club in promoting mental issues is also to be commended. The Navan Lions branch is hosting a Wellness Workshop in the Ardboyne Hotel on 16th April, following the reaction to last year' similar event. The Lions Club is facilitating the event for the Suicide of Survive organisation, and is just one example of the determination of groups and organisations to tackle a killer which is becoming an all too familiar tale to inquest juries.