Suicide awareness programme needed for all Cork schools

Principal Barry added: “One of the things people have said to me is that they don’t know what to do. I’ve felt like I didn’t know what to do, as a principal of a secondary school that had two past pupils who took their lives. We’re trying to respond in as caring and as kind a way as we possibly can.”

He said there has been a clear increase in suicide on the southside of Cork which is having lasting effects on the community. Something urgently needs to change.

“I feel schools should be leading the way in tackling this issue head on. We’re going to continue to do what we feel is right to combat this,” he added.

Local Independent Councillor Mick Finn extended his thanks to Principal Barry for hosting the meeting at Deerpark CBS last night, and to the representatives from The Samaritans and Pieta House who spoke. “It was a positive meeting in terms of a community response to the suicide issue that has gripped this area over the last number of weeks and months. But one disappointing note for me was, having been contacted by a lot of parents of children in schools in Greenmount and Ballyphehane and Turners Cross, there was a small turnout of parents on the night,” he said.

“Parents need to realise they have a key role to play here.” He said there will be more events like this one, and more training courses coming up in the new year. He urged parents and family members to attend these talks and training events.

“Maybe by equipping people with the skills to recognise problems and deal with them, then maybe we can pre-empt incidents rather than having to deal with the aftermath of them.”

Anyone needing help can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247.

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