Celebrities drop into Coláiste for Cycle Against Suicide

Coláiste Muire is looking forward to visits from Ireland’s top celebrities including Roz Purcell, Brent Pope and other well-known celebrities to their school this Saturday as part of Cycle Against Suicide.

The awareness cycle is taking place all around the country, setting off from Dublin last Monday and continuing its journey until Sunday, May 5.

Coláiste Muire will be one of the 28 schools and colleges around the country hosting a series of mental health talks and exhibitions of local mental health services during the cycle. Led by a team of student leaders, with the help of a link teacher, there will also be a range of activities and entertainment lined up to make the day interesting, engaging, memorable and impactful.

Speaking at the launch, Jean Pound, Coláiste Muire principal said, “This is just the beginning of a long road ahead in reducing the rate of suicide in Ireland, but it’s a start. Coláiste Muire is delighted to be taking part as we want to do everything we can to support young people in seeking help, when they feel vulnerable. We are educating young children to help Break the Cycle.”

The Cycle Against Suicide initiative was developed by successful entrepreneur and international businessman Jim Breen, with the objective of raising awareness for the considerable help and supports that are out there for anyone battling depression, at risk of suicide, or those coping with the loss of loved ones due to suicide. Jim came up with the initiative following the screening of a TV documentary The Secret Millionaire which showed him visiting a suicide awareness group.

CEO and founder of PulseLearning Ltd and TriGrandPrix Ltd, Mr Breen said, “Everyone has some connection to suicide or depression, and we believe the best way to help fight the battle is to do so together. Mental illness is like any other health issue, it is something we all have to be mindful of, and sometimes ‘minding’ it will involve asking for help. We want to get people talking about the subject, and play our part in breaking the cycle of suicide and in doing so, decreasing the incidence of suicide in Ireland.”

Cycle Against Suicide is seen by Jim and the many professionals, friends and supporters of the campaign, as the first joint step in the fight against suicide and it is being supported by some of the leading professionals in the country dealing with suicide research and prevention.

It is hoped the event will contribute to substantially reduce the number of cases in Ireland over the next number of years.

Jim stated “Our goal is very achievable if we all work together. The steps are simple, but needs buy-in from our health care and community based professionals, the government and the general public.”

He continued “We will particularly be reaching out to people who are outside the net, and may not be aware of the supports that are available in their own community. 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. Through Cycle Against Suicide, we will create a tangible and practical way for people who want to help those who are affected by suicide. Working together, shoulder to shoulder, we really can break the cycle.”

Rugby analyst and journalist, Brent Pope, is just one of the cyclists who will be visiting Ennis.

“In my lifetime seven good friends have died by suicide. The conversation around suicide needs to be de-stigmatised, not brushed under the carpet. We need to bring more understanding, without glamourising the subject. We have to work to make people aware that there are people suffering out there right now and they need help. I applaud Jim and everyone who is trying to do something to break the cycle of suicide.”

Participants can take part in a section of each 100km leg, an entire leg, multiple legs, or even complete the entire cycle. To learn more, get involved or sign up visit www.cycleagainstsuicide.com. For further news, follow @CASuicide on twitter or visit Facebook.