A group of 26 people from South West Wexford this week (Tuesday, 23^rd April 2002) completed the 20-hour community education programme, Concerned About Suicide.

The programme, which was organised by the South Eastern Health Board’s Suicide Resource Office, was run in association with South West Wexford Community Development Project.

The aim of the programme is to enable participants to acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills to identify people at risk of suicide and to refer them to appropriate sources of help.

The 26 participants in the South West Wexford programme included health care workers, community development workers, teachers, counsellors, clergy, child and youth workers and people with a special interest in suicide prevention.  Topics covered included risk factors and warning signs of suicide, mental illness, positive mental health, communication, responding to the suicidal person, bereavement and support services.

This is the first community education programme in suicide awareness organised by the South Eastern Health Board and it is envisaged that it will be replicated in other areas of the South East.