Cyclists roll out campaign to raise suicide awareness

A new awareness campaign is being rolled out nationwide in a bid to tackle Ireland’s suicide crisis.

Model Roz Purcell and rugby analyst Brent Pope, who has lost seven friends to suicide, are among a host of celebrities who have backed the 1,400km Cycle Against Suicide event which will see suicide prevention and bereavement support experts visiting 26 schools during the nationwide cycle from Apr 22 to May 5.

The event is the brainchild of entrepreneur Jim Breen, the founder and CEO of PulseLearning, who was inspired to act after visiting a suicide support group during his appearance on the Secret Millionaire TV show.

“We want people to realise that it’s really OK not to feel OK, and that it’s more than OK to ask for help,” he said.

Figures from the National Suicide Research Foundation show that 500 people die by suicide in Ireland every year.

The cycle starts in Dublin’s Phoenix Park and regional events will see local personalities, as well as suicide prevention and bereavement support experts visiting schools to encourage young people to “break the cycle” of suicide. Visit cycleagainstsuicide.com, Twitter, or Facebook find out more.

Meanwhile, Cork footballer Paudie Kissane, a former past pupil of Coláiste an Chroí Naofa in Carrignavar, Co Cork, launched the school’s first positive mental health awareness week.

Teacher and school chaplain Vivian Lee said she hopes the Health for Your Head initiative will provide the 500 pupils of the mixed school with tips on how to mind their mental health and provide them with information on where to find help.