CONCERN OVER FUTURE OF HSE WEST SUICIDE INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES

Date Published: 14-Sep-2012

The HSE West has confirmed that local teams administering suicide awareness and intervention programmes are now trying to identify cost-nuetral solutions to enable them to deliver the training for the rest of the year.

It follows concerns raised by Ballinasloe Cllr Tim Broderick that the service was to be suspended or put on hold nationwide for the next three to four months.

The HSE says the current process is part of cost containment measures which have placed restrictions on all travel and on education and training for the remainder of 2012.

25 thousand people nationwide have trained in the ASIST programme which provides participants with the ability to intervene when someone is in suicidal crisis.

A further 10 thousand have availed of the safeTALK alertness programme.

Console 2012 ambassador and Deputy Mayor of County Galway Peter Roche has called for a rethink on the cost-saving measures and says suicide prevention services must not be targetted for cuts