Suicides prompt school to offer training

Suicides prompt school to offer training

19 March 2014

TRAINING is to be given to the parents of students from a local high school to help them prevent suicide and self harm.

St. Malachy’s High School is offering a series of training sessions for parents and guardians to help them identify the signs to look out for and how to get appropriate help.

The decision by the school to offer special training comes after an increase in suicides in Down District over the past year. Across Northern Ireland 2010 saw the highest number of recorded suicides in Northern Ireland’s history, standing at 313.

A school spokesman said many people who have thoughts of suicide want to move away from the pain they are in.

“Many people with suicidal thoughts have received appropriate support that allowed them to recover and move on with their lives,” said the spokesman.

“We also believe that we can all help to prevent a suicide. If we can identify that someone is at risk of self-harming we can link them to the professional help they need, and in doing so increase their chances of surviving.

“We as a school feel therefore that is is necessary to provide parents with an awareness of the issue and strategies to help our young people cope effectively with life and the stresses it can bring at various stages of their development.”

The training will be conducted by PIPS, an organisation that has been delivering suicide prevention and awareness training that saves lives since 2008. PIPS is the only accredited suicide training organisation in the UK and Ireland.

The sessions will take place over two weeks on Tuesday, March 25, and Tuesday April 1st or on Thursday, March 27 and Thursday April 3.

Each session will last approximately two hours, beginning at 7pm in the assembly hall, and all participants will receive a certificate on completion.

Anyone wishing to find out more or avail of the training should contact the school on 028437 78255.