Dormant accounts cash to fund suicide prevention projects
A further €500,000 is being given to six projects providing addiction counselling and employment supports for prisoners.
The projects include early intervention measures for those at risk and services for those bereaved through suicide.
“It is not so long ago that the twin issues of suicide and depression were shrouded by such a strong taboo that discussing them was almost impossible,” said Junior Community Affairs Minister Noel Ahern.
“Today’s funding will hopefully have an enormous impact in communities throughout the country.”
Among the projects to benefit are:
* Wexford County Partnership, which will pilot a professional stress helpline for Co Wexford which will act as an early intervention measure.
* Finn Valley Alliance for Positive Mental Health in Co Donegal which will work with students and teachers on suicide prevention and awareness issues.
* Ballymun Arts and Community Resource Centre in Dublin, which will run dance workshops with specialist teachers trained in suicide prevention measures.
* National Learning Network which will deliver a Peer Support Education Programme to young people in the Cork/Kerry region.
Mr Ahern also announced over €500,000 for prison programmes including organisations providing addiction counselling services.
A further €250,000 is to be provided to employment support for prisoners in the Mountjoy, Midlands, Castlerea and Cork prisons.
