Launch of poster blitz to help tackle scourge of suicide in rural areas

A GALWAY suicide help group is aiming to get awareness helpline posters into sports clubs, GAA grounds, pubs, hotels, restaurants and marts over the coming weeks in a bid to try and prevent the further loss of lives in the county.

The Galway East Life Support group (GELS) are getting Kerry couple, Elma and Fionnbar Walsh, to launch the poster blitz on Monday evening next (Dec. 2, 7pm) in Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe.

The Walshs are parents of the later Donal Walsh – the terminally ill teenager, who stirred the hearts of the country with his appeal to young people to grasp the preciousness of life and not to contemplate the suicide option.

Now GELS – with the support of the IFA, Teagasc, the GAA, FAI and the IRFU – are hoping that their specially designed posters will ‘catch the eye’ of young people under stress.

The suicide problem – both in Galway and across the country – is most acute among young men and GELS are trying to promote a network of early alerts and interventions that could help to save lives.

Garda Superintendent, Gerry Roche – the Chairman of GELS – said that their group were ‘greatly honoured’ by the presence of Elma and Fionbarr Walsh at their launch, given the contribution of their late son Donal in the campaign against suicide.

 “There will also be 22 different exhibitors on the night providing details of their services in relation to suicide awareness, prevention and education.

“The speeches won’t be long, in order to allow people an opportunity to talk to the exhibitors and organisations who support this endeavour and each other. The night is all about networking and making contacts, in order to secure channels for information,” said Supt. Roche.

Maura Canning of GELS encouraged all people with an interest the suicide issue to come to Gullanes on Monday night. “We are launching our posters but equally this night will allow people to mingle informally and talk in a more open ‘one to one’ basis on this issue,” she said.

GELS can be contacted at 085-1237878 as well as their website:  www.gelifesupport.com