Applied suicide intervention skills training [ASIST programme], came to Armagh on the 30th and 31st July, on the invitation of Armagh Ógra Shinn Féin to deliver a cross community course on suicide intervention.
The course in Armagh is a continuation of the 2006 Ógra Shinn Féin national campaign of suicide prevention. Suicide is something that affects us all regardless of, religion, race, colour, or creed, and is a growing problem facing the youth of today.
Many young people see suicide as a way out, this is something we must begin to change, here in Armagh and across the city we have come face to face with the reality of this growing epidemic.
We welcomed the chance to work with REACT on this course and hope this was a good platform for any future work that is of benefit to the wider community, along with other community leaders and individuals who took this course for their own reasons.
Showing great leadership in taking the lead, an active role in preparing themselves to be better equipped to deal with any potential suicidal behaviour in the community. The need for this course is evident here in Armagh, at community based level there is little to no help for those who find life to much. The ASIST course has given those on the course the tools, that in the event they come across some one who feels like ending their life, they may be able to intervene.
While we often hear of suicide, an aspect we hardly hear of is those that have attempted, which is a much higher number, which is why the need for better funding of all mental health structures is necessary. Mental health is poorly funded across Ireland in comparison to the likes of Scotland.
But this is an issue that, we the community must lead on, we must set the agenda and lobby the governments and councils for the kind of community based suicide prevention schemes that will help to reduce the impact of suicide on the wider community, and for better training for community based activists.
The ASIST course is like first aid, being the first person at a point of intervention, but we should be educating on all different levels, for instance in schools. This is only the start here in Armagh and it will be important where we take it from here, as this problem grows, so must the preventative measures, to stem its growth.
BBC Spotlight also took an interest in the course and on Tuesday sent a film crew to interview a number of people, it is likely Armagh will be featured on the Spotlight progamme later this year.
Damian White of Ógra Shinn Féin said,
“People, are what make up communities, the young, the old, and all the characters in between. When people take their own lives it can often send a ripple effect through our community, we should always be vigilant and aware to the problems people face today, because you never know when someone might be thinking of self harm."
Marion Jameson of REACT said,
"Suicide is a growing problem here in Armagh, it is an issue that we cant ignore, the impact it has on our community is massive, we welcomed the ASIST course to Armagh as we believe it is a vital first step in combating this blight on our community, and we will continue to work on this pressing issue in the coming weeks and months"
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