Ógra Shinn Féin Organise Suicide Prevention Training Programme

Ógra Shinn Féin have worked in conjunction with PIPS to deliver their community lifeguard training programme to over 20 young people.

The suicide prevention training programme was delivered on Sunday 18th October in Belfast, to young people from across the north, including Ógra Shinn Féin activists, members from the Young Greens, SDLP Youth and even the youngest MLA Daithi McKay.

Ógra Shinn Féin have been pro active and vocal on the issue of suicide awareness and prevention over the past number of years, lobbying government for an adequately resourced All Ireland approach to the issue of suicide prevention, and raising awareness through the organising of public talks, and skilling dozens of young people up in the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) programme by delivering the scheme in communities, and colleges throughout Ireland.

Commenting on a very productive day, 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 todays 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."

“We would like to thank PIPS, the young people who participated in the programme, and would encourage other young people to become more aware and active in tackling this national epidemic which has cost the lives of so many people, particularly young people. Ógra Shinn Féin will continue to play their part in tackling this massive issue, and have pledged ourselves in assisting PIPS to role the programme out to dozens of more young people across Ireland.”