Supports and services for emotional wellbeing: 'Take time to connect for life this Christmas'

WE SEE the world not as it is, but as we are.

We often talk about mental health as an individual responsibility. However, many things affect our mental health that are outside of our control. 

Our collective mental health has been challenged in recent years due to war, ill health and the cost of living crisis. 

Life stressors like unemployment, relationship breakdown and insecure housing can contribute to people feeling trapped and overwhelmed. Other stressors affect our mental health including alcohol or other drug problems.

This week, we highlight some of the wellbeing supports available including online supports, help line numbers and free suicide prevention free training for all members of the Donegal community.

How can we as a community connect, recognise and respond to another’s distress?

Christmas time can add to already existing stressors.  Connecting for Life (CfL) Donegal is encouraging people to consider the role that offering support may play in helping reduce distress. The act of showing care, concern and compassion to someone who may be vulnerable, can make a big difference in their lives. 

TALK - A person who may be distressed can often identify things in their lives that influenced the progression of their despair. Taking the time to listen with compassion in this busy world, and letting others know you care, and that help is available, can have a significant impact.

ASK - Asking “are you ok?” opens up opportunity to see life through the lens of another person’s life experiences – their experiences of trauma, distress, disadvantage, inequity and adversity.  

LISTEN - Listening increases the opportunity to respond earlier to distress and can build much needed connection through the sharing of their burden.

KEEP SAFE  - Get a person to safety if needed.  

CfL Donegal is working towards breaking down barriers to having open conversation about mental health. One way we do this is through the provision of free suicide prevention training to every member of the community in Donegal. 

All training is free under Ireland’s national suicide prevention strategy, Connecting for Life (CfL) and is listed below:

LivingWorks online START course helps to recognise when someone is thinking about suicide and how to connect them to help and support.  

SafeTALK is an internationally recognised half-day training programme that supports participants to recognise and engage persons who might be having thoughts of suicide, and to connect them with community resources.

ASIST, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, is two-day skills-based workshop that equips participants for an effective suicide intervention role. The emphasis is on first aid – helping a person at imminent risk stay safe and seek further help.

Understanding Self Harm is a one-day training programme which works to reduce the stigma of self-harm, improve awareness and sensitivities to self-harm issues and promote effective care services for those who self-harm.

Suicide bereavement training for professionals is a one day training where participants’ awareness of the unique aspects associated with suicide bereavement is enhanced, and increases understanding and awareness of support needed for people who have lost someone through suicide.

For more information on accessing suicide prevention training contact CDLMSTraining at CDLMSTraining@pieta.ie and/or follow the link: https://bookwhen.com/suicidepreventiontrainingcho1 

For more information on CfL Donegal contact HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention Donegal at Ciara.Wray@hse.ie 

Connection is the most powerful gift we can offer one another this Christmas season.  Connection reduces isolation and increases hope.  Take time this Christmas to TALK.

Know where to turn: 

Are you, or someone you know, in crisis now and need someone to talk to?  Please do not be alone. Get help as soon as possible. Everyone needs help from time to time. Asking for help is a sign of strength. 

Your first point of contact is your local GP. If it is late in the evening or at the weekend, contact your local out of hour’s doctor’s service: NowDOC: 0818 400 911

Emergency Services on 999 or 112,
Call the Samaritans 24-hour Freephone listening service on 116 123,
Visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on mental health supports and services.