Latest News from Cobh’s Breaking The Silence

Breaking The Silence would like to take this opportunity to update the public on the work we have done in 2010 and to remind people of the training courses that the group offers in the areas of Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Training.

2010 has been a very busy year for our trainers and phenomenal work has been done in the Cork area.  The Group received funding during the year from The AIB Better Ireland Programme, The Community Foundation for Ireland and The National Lottery and the people of Cobh.  This funding has enabled Breaking The Silence to train approximately 600 people in the areas of Suicide Awareness, Intervention & Prevention.  In addition to the training programmes that have taken place in Cobh our trainers have delivered courses in other areas of Cork such as Charleville, Clonakilty, Fermoy, Mahon and The Glen.  A fantastic training opportunity arose during the Irish Naval Service Tour to South America when trainer Sam (Noel) Feeley delivered two Safe Talk Training Programmes to Irish Naval Staff on the ship as they made their voyage on the high seas!

Breaking The Silence has also organised for 20 people across the Cork Area to be trained as Peer Support Trainers.  This will give these areas additional resources for the communities to deliver their own Peer Support Training and enable them to help create Suicide Safer Communities which is a vision we all share.

Additional training courses from Breaking The Silence will take place before the end of the year, the majority of these courses are full however it is hoped to run a Safe Talk 3 Hour Course in the Cobh area before Christmas and if you are interested in attending this free training programme please email breakingthesilencecobh@gmail.com

A new training division has been formed and this is comprised of John Lawlor, Jimmy Losty, Sam (Noel) Feely, Sinead Sheridan and Catherine Curran.  Additional Trainer Training has been completed and three new trainers are now trained to deliver Safe Talk Training. The main committee is delighted to welcome new members Sarah Maguire (Secretary), Kelly Mellerick (Fundraising), Paul Devlin, Laura Reidy, Carol Doran and Niamh Humphries and existing members John Mansworth (Chairperson), Sinead Sheridan (Vice Chairperson & Training), Michelle Crowley (Fundraising), Catherine Curran (Training) and Avril Quinn (P.R.O.) will continue to work with the group throughout the year.

Young Breaking The Silence is about to be launched and to date Martin Galligan, Kelly Sexton, Kate Cullinane Perryman and Alan Quinn have been confirmed as committee members.  This initiative has been started to give young people more involvement and their say in the areas of Suicide Awareness and Mental Health.

With regard to upcoming fundraising events we are hoping to have our flag day in Cobh on Thursday 25^th November 2010 and if you are interested in volunteering to help us on the day please contact our Fundraising Team via email kelly.mellerick@gmail.com

If you would like to receive more information from Breaking The Silence please contact breakingthesilencecobh@gmail.com

Finally thank you again for your invaluable support, it is with the support of the entire Community that Breaking The Silence can continue to work in the areas of Suicide Awareness, Prevention & Training.

Avril Quinn, P.R.O.

1 Life is a dedicated 24 hour freephone national suicide prevention helpline;

Call 1800 247100 or text ‘HELP’ to 51444