Mental health ID checks

THE Irish Association of Suicidology (IAS) is training St Vincent de Paul volunteers to enable them to help identify clients likely to be suffering from mental health problems.

According to the SVP, the initiative started after the IAS saw an article in the Irish Examiner outlining the depth and complexity of the problems facing people being assisted by the SVP.

Following the contact from the head of the IAS, a joint initiative was agreed and funding was secured from the National Office for Suicide Prevention.

This has provided mental health awareness training with the focus on three modules — the recession and suicide; identifying the warning signs in others and understanding bereavement.

Tailored specifically to the needs of SVP volunteers and staff, the training provides the skills to support clients in a more informed manner. It will also assist those training to take care of their own mental health in the course of their work.

Following two pilot sessions, it was decided the project should be rolled out nationwide.