Support World Suicide Prevention Day

Representatives from Suicide Awareness and Support Group, PIPS, FASA Lighthouse SOS Family Voices  East Belfast Survivors of Suicide Group, and other support groups from across the Province are organizing an event to raise suicide awareness. The “Walk Out of the Darkness and into the Dawn” is to signify walking through darkness and into the light as an expression of hope for those families and individuals affected by this issue. Groups from across N.I. will make their way to nominated venues across the province and walk to the City Hall as an expression of support and solidarity on the issue and to mark the day as a Northern Ireland wide event. There are six main points of departure: Stormont  – Leaving @ 4.30am FASA 178 Shankill Rd –  Leaving @ 5.15am PIPS Estorial Park Ardoyne-  Leaving @ 4.45am Belfast LBGT Waring ST – Leaving @ 5.15am Lighthouse Duncairn Gardens – Leaving @ 5.15am Suicide Awareness & Support Falls Road – Leaving @ 5.15am We need all of our respective communities to support World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th September 2011 by walking with us out of the darkness and walking into the light of a new dawn the light of new hope for suicide prevention. We are all responsible and we need to focus our attention on the unacceptable burden of suicidal deaths within our communities. The World Health Organisation said that “suicide is an underestimated community health issue” this is clearly evident in the wider community of Belfast and across our region. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Niall O’Donnaghaile will be the key note speaker at City Hall accompanied by community, voluntary and statutory representatives from North, South, East and West Belfast. There will be a symbolic gesture of reaching out and linking hands at the end of the event to signify the inclusiveness of unity as we acknowledge the differing cultures that live within Northern Ireland. Tea, coffee and scones will also be available on the morning as well as information booklets on support services and advice available to support families affected by the issue of suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10th each year as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) the theme for this year’s event is Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies. Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help –  Tel: (0808) 808 8000.]]>