Denise Hall: Cyclists put focus on suicide awareness
“It was something that was spoken about in whispers and hushed voices, something which everyone knew was there, but went unacknowledged in the open — a source of shame on families who had been marked by the loss,” one researcher concluded last year.
While views have changed and suicide is no longer considered to be a mortal sin by the Catholic Church, the topic of suicide can still arouse shame and a desperate sense of failure in the minds of those who have been affected.
For the many people touched by it, there is often a feeling that they somehow should have known, been able to predict what was going to happen. And they should have been able to do something about it. This is a reality that hopefully, over time; they will be able to come to terms with.
But for those who have employed suicide as a way out of their suffering and confusion, there is no way back. They are gone and all their bright potential gone with them.
People who commit suicide are often trying to get away from a life situation that seems impossible to deal with and many who attempt suicide are seeking relief from feeling ashamed, guilty, or that they are somehow a burden on others.
Around one million people die by suicide each year worldwide. The figure is higher than the combined numbers of those who die by homicide and war.
Statistically, out of the ten suicides that happen on average every week in Ireland, eight of these are men. These statistics come from Mind Our Men, an initiative that encourages the people of Ireland to look out for the men in our country.
Organisations such as Aware, ShoutOut, pleasetalk and Shine are doing amazing work in outreach and raising awareness of mental health issues.
However, the focus of these operations is often centred on Dublin. Spreading out to rural areas requires funding and volunteers that may not be available.
Male suicides are much more prolific in rural areas of the country, as a result of many complex issues. There is a crisis of masculinity in contemporary culture with escalating pressure on men to be “manly”, to cope with life’s problems and challenges without needing to ask for help. This can cause a massive strain on the psyche.
Cycle Against Suicide, now in its third year, is the brainchild of founder and entrepreneur Jim Breen. It is a confrontational campaign that pinpoints the scourge of suicide as a foe to be confronted and overcome.
And if suicide is a battle to be faced and fought, then Jim, along with the support he has gathered along the way, has amassed a considerable army.
500 cyclists will come to Bantry, West Cork, on May 4, where they will be hosted by Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, and Schull Community College on May 5. Cyclists will stop for lunch in the college where a big mental health initiative will be hosted, including student performances, music, guest speakers and local support groups. Anchor schools are a key part of Cycle Against Suicide.
They will highlight the issue of mental health through talks in schools community centres and national mental health organisations as they re-enforce the all-important message that “it’s ok not to feel ok, and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help.”
This year, Jim is running the cycle route — some 1,400km — an average of 50km each day and he will be joined by well-known faces from the sporting world including Sonia O’Sullivan and Gerry Duffy.
Jim found time to tell me about his own experiences with depression and his determination to reach communities previously untouched by Cycle Against Suicide’s vital message.
Jim, I think the first question has to be how are you feeling?
Well, I’m at the end of the day’s run, and I’m looking forward to a hot bath and a good dinner. But I’m feeling good, and positive about the fantastic support we are getting this year.
At Cycle Against Suicide, we are acutely aware of all the people we have not yet made contact with. The run is designed to do just that. By accessing new audiences we will make more and more people aware of the supports that are available to them in their own communities. The run is a daunting task, but we are getting great support that’s spurring us on to our end destination and the start of Cycle Against Suicide 2015.
Jim, you have a degree in engineering; and among other distinctions, you have secured the Deloitte Fast 50 Award as the Fastest Growing IT Company in Ireland with your company PulseLearning. You are also a veteran of Ironman, marathons, rowing championships and boxing championships. Why mental health?
It was when I was asked by RTÉ to participate in the Secret Millionaire programme. I’ve been affected by depression all my life and I told them that I wanted to explore the issues of mental health.
I’ve found different ways of dealing with it, perhaps through working very very hard. A classic approach but not a very healthy one. I asked RTÉ to commit to support this. And some of the people we met through that programme were extraordinary.
I discovered that once other people such as Conor Cusack and Bressie were able to admit to their own vulnerability, that was a real opportunity for others. Depression, after all, is no respecter of creed or culture.
You have a lot of one-on-one communication on this issue. How do people respond?
I was visiting a Men’s Shed recently and it was an all-male presence. One of the moderators was trying to encourage the audience to be more outgoing and at one point he said: “Come on lads, you’ve got to talk about your feelings.”
I know what he meant but I don’t think you have to talk. You just have to be there for someone. You might suggest they visit their GP or talk to someone. But you don’t always have to give advice.
You just have to be there and to listen, to let them know that it’s ok not to feel ok.
It can be a huge shock when someone tells you they are feeling suicidal. However, there is help available.
* First of all, it is really important to take them seriously when someone finds the courage to talk about taking their own life.
* They are not just looking for attention. They want to stop the pain that’s making their life unbearable.
* They will need your compassion and support.
* Sometimes just talking to someone who cares and who does not judge is enough to reduce the risk of suicide.
* However, if you are a friend, family member or just know someone whom you think may attempt suicide, never try to manage the problem on your own. Seek help.
There are many services such as Pieta House, Aware and the Samaritans listed online and in the telephone directory.
* If you can provide overnight accommodation for a cyclist in the Bantry or Mizen area, contact Marie Spillane 086 2328150 or Kate Kelly 087 6057675.
www.cycleagainstsuicide.ie
