Seminar will attempt to improve awareness and prevention of suicide across county

THE heartbreak of suicide – that has touched communities and families across the county – will be the focus of a special seminar to be held in the Abbey Community Centre, Loughrea on this Friday night.

The seminar has the theme of ‘Saving Lives through Education, Prevention, Awareness and Support’ and starts at 8pm with a number of key speakers lined up.

All are welcome to attend (from age 16 up) on the night with the initiative being organised by Abbey Community Development Association and the Galway East Life Support group (GELS).

Guest speakers on the night will include Cllr. Pete Roche, Chairman of Galway Co. Council; Supt. Gerry Roche, a founder member of GELS; Mary O’Sullivan, HSE Suicide Prevention; Tom McEvoy, Pieta House; Community Garda, Aidan Lonergan and Galway hurling captain of last year, David Collins.

A large crowd is expected for Friday night’s seminar and Arthur Carr, Secretary of GELS, has urged people to come early to get seats for the event.

“The main focus of the event will be to offer some guidance and assistance on suicide awareness and prevention,” said Arthur Carr.

National IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chairperson, Maura Canning, told the Farming Tribune that Friday night’s seminar provided an opportunity to increase their knowledge and awareness of an issue that had impacted on many people down through the years.

“This will be a very open and informative meeting on issues and actions that could help to save lives into the future.

“There are four key words contained in the title of the seminar – education, prevention, awareness and support – these are the areas that the seminar will be focusing on,” said Maura Canning.

Friday night’s seminar will be chaired by Gerry Larkin, Secretary of the Abbey Community Development Association.

The local community in Abbey have been working very closely with GELS on this project and last year supported the GELS 100km East Galway cycle with the local community centre used as a refreshment centre.

The Galway East Life Support group have their centre in Cullen’s Yard, Main Street, Ballinasloe (beside the Credit Union) and can be contacted during office hours (Monday to Friday) on 085-8021100.

They can also be contacted on: gelifesupport.ie or eastgalwaylife@gmail.com