Ógra Shinn Féin Suicide Prevention Day of Action

by Tom Fri Mar 24, 2006 13:50

No one should be concerned about the Sinn fEIN youth suicide prevention campaign.It refers people to mainstream mental health organisations that perpetuate the belief that depression and 'mental illness' are primarily biological in orgin and that big pharma's 'treatments' are effective in combatting the 'disease'.a little critical thinking on the issue in terms of the medicalisation of this human problem and life crisis is sadly lacking. Still , if you have sights set on p[ower best not to upset the excellent relationship this state has with Big Pharma.

by shancoduff Fri Mar 24, 2006 01:08

It really is. I hope others like you are encouraged to do likewise. There are many young people who may learn from your example, not just locally but far far away
in other places. gach ait eile. :-)

by Concerned Thu Mar 23, 2006 22:14

What information will OSF be dissemenating?

Where has the information come from?

Has the information be vetted by the appropriate health professionals to ensure that the information is outlined in an appropriate manner?

I have to say this seems more and more like a publicity stunt and if this is the case it is a disgrace. The entire emphasis seems to be on this 'all-ireland approach' which is a load of rubbish. It looks like OSF sat down and said 'what issues can we run a campaign on' and came up will 'suicide' without ever looking at the appropriateness of it or ensuring that the campaign was not going to do more harm than good. No one from SF has come on here or anywhere else and outlined what research was carried out and what discussions were had with individuals and bodies that deal with the issue of suicide. OSF should drop this campaign now unless they can prove they have done their homework.

by Ógra B - Ógra Shinn Féin Thu Mar 23, 2006 19:06

SUICIDE PREVENTION

The National Campaign of Ógra Shinn Féin over next three months is Suicide prevention, this issue of people taking their own lives or attempting to take their own lives is a major social issue on the island of Ireland. It is estimated internationally that 1 million people take their own lives every year (W.H.O figures). Ireland has the second highest suicide rate in Europe, this rate has increased by more than 25% over the last decade. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in Ireland therefore it is imperative that Ógra as a youth organisation begin campaigning and disseminating information on this issue.
There were 577 reported deaths by suicide in the year 2003-2004, a greater death toll than the number of people killed in road traffic accidents over the same time period and although statistics are strikingly high amongst young men, suicide transcends class, gender, and age, ethnic or religious background. It is suggested that the death toll from suicide over the last 35 years may be even greater than the number of people killed as a result of the political conflict.

The Ógra Shinn Féin Suicide prevention campaign launched at the National Congress 2006 and will run for a period of three months. This campaign will focus on the dissemination of information and the mounting of pressure for an all Ireland approach to suicide awareness with focus on the draft budget and allocation of funding to mental health in particular suicide prevention. An all Ireland mental health strategy must be formulated, funded and implemented as this issue does not simply stop at the ‘border’.

“Any meaningful strategy on suicide prevention must be set in the context of an all Ireland approach, which best utilise the resources available, including the targeting of mental health resources across the various health boards in a co-ordinated approach.”

Gerry Adams

Suicide Awareness & Support Groups

Pips Project
Belfast
Tel: 028 90752990
E-mail: info@pipsproject.com
Website: www.pipsproject.com

Samaritans
Tel: 08457 9090909
Tel: 1850 609090
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org

Childline
Tel: 0800 1111
Tel: 1800 666666

Rainbow Project Belfast
Tel: 028 90319030

Rainbow Project Derry
Tel: 028 712830

Cloona Oasis
Belfast
Tel: 028 90624923

AWARE Derry
Tel: 028 71 260602

AWARE Dublin
Tel: (01) 830449

Bray Suicide Support Group
Tel: 012868413

Breaking Through
Tel: (01) 6060858

UCC Nightline
Tel: 1800 324242

Console
Dublin
Tel: 1800 201 890
E-mail: info@console.ie

Grow
11 Liberty Street
Cork
Tel: 021 277520

Inspire Foundation- Reachout
Tel: 01131114
Irish Association of Suicidology
Co. Mayo
Tel: (094) 925 0858
Fax: (094) 925 0859
E-mail: office@ias.ie

Irish Friends of Suicide Bereaved
Cork
Tel: 021 316722
E-mail: ifsb@gofree.indigo.ie

Mental Health Association of Ireland
Navan
Tel: 046 27803
E-mail: Mentalhealth@eircom.net

Mensana House
Dún Laoghaire
County Dublin
Tel: (01) 2841166
E-mail: mhai@iol.ie
Website: www.mensana.org

National Suicide Research Foundation
Cork
Tel: (021) 4277 499
E-mail: nsrf@iol.ie

National Suicide Bereavement Support Network
Cork
Tel: 00353 857224819
E-mail: nsbsn@eircom.net

Schizophrenia Ireland
Dublin
Tel: 1890 621631
E-mail: bethencourt@sirl.ie

Sólás (bereavement helpline for children)
Dublin
Tel: (01) 473 2110
E-mail: solas@barnardos.ie

SOS (support to overcome suicide)
Tel: 0861984252

Teenhelp
Tel: (01) 4543374 (helpline)
elephant@connect.ie

by good_idea Thu Mar 23, 2006 17:54

This is a great move forward. I myself considered suicide recently , but an all ireland approach really made the difference. now i am a better person.

The irony of feinners trying to stop suicide. There are just so many levels to this one!

by rooster Thu Mar 23, 2006 13:45

and nothing more, they seem to be keener to push the 32 county angle more than anything else, the suicide thing is just a stunt maybe a member of OSF can tell me if they supported the hunger strikers, at the end of the day, they are just not serious about this subject!

by Concerned Wed Mar 22, 2006 21:56

Suicide is an increadibly difficult and complex issue to attempt to grapple as part of a public campaign. The severe emotional trauma caused by suicide can be affected by any such campaign. OSF must be extremely sensitive that they do not do more harm than good in their approach.

As someone who has been directly affected by the suicide of a family member I am very dubious about the plans of OSF.

Have OSF sought any advice from Suicide prevention or family support groups?

Have OSF discussed their plans with psychiatrists/psycologists as regards the possible impact on vulnerable people or family members who have suffered from this tragedy?

Who has provided the information for the information stalls, leaflets, public talks and media interviews? It would be potentially very dangerous if this information was not properly vetted by appropriate professionals prior to use.

Unfortunately, I get the feeling that OSF are selecting a serious issue that needs to be addressed but I am very worried about the content of the campaign. I would hate to think that OSF were using this issue as a publicity stunt.

Since I posed these questions no member of OSF has answered these questions on here or similar questions on Politics.ie.

The only conclusion I can draw is that OSF have not sought the necessary advice on how this question should be approached and have potentially caused more harm to vunerable individuals and families. I have yet to see a copy of any information leaflets etc, merely press statement outlining vague points.

If this is the case this Day of Action by Ogra Sinn Fein is at best irresponsible and at worst potentially dangerous. I would suggest that OSF immediately drop this campaign until they take the appropriate and necessary measures to ensure that the potential for emotuional and psycological damage is avoided.

I would be grateful if a member of OSF would respond here. It is necessary to re-assure people that they have not behaved irresponsibely or recklessly on this issue.

by Youthanasia Wed Mar 22, 2006 21:54

suicide rate among OSF members? Since they're no longer likely to be nominating themselves for the Darwin Award by scoring own goals in daddy's garage, I fear said rate may be worryingly low. Any chance of an "All Ireland Strategy" to get it to increase a bit? Perhaps the increased quality of life this would bring would result in a lowering of the overall suicide rate in the population as a whole. Looking at that bunch of troglodytes in the photo (except 2nd from left, she's quite cute) , I would say such a development would be highly beneficial to all of society.

by barry Wed Mar 22, 2006 20:05

ironic stuff saying their other simultaneously pointless stunt this weekend was climbing on the roof of a tall building .

by What are you on about Wed Mar 22, 2006 19:49

An all-ireland approach to suicide prevention!

Can someone explain to me how an all-ireland approach would be any different to a 26 counties approach?

Surely the issue is what type of approch is made not the geographical location covered.