CLARE people are being urged to get on their bike on Friday September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Cycle Against Suicide are inviting local communities to join its “Bike4Life: One Day – One Goal”. Held annually, Bike4Life is part of the fundraising effort of Cycle Against Suicide, an organisation dedicated to greater public awareness and community-based assistance for individuals at risk.
“If you or someone you know needs help, reach out. Speaking up to a trusted person about depression, suicide or grief is the first step to saving a life,” Caroline Lafferty, Cycle Against Suicide CEO stated. “The risk of suicide is heightened when people are not able to talk about their mental health challenges to others. Very often men and women at risk feel they have no one to talk to about suicidal thoughts and the conditions that cause them.”
To combat the stigma, shame and fear around mental health that keeps people from reaching out and speaking up, Cycle Against Suicide trains local people to serve as ‘Buddies’ who reach out with empathy and a listening ear in support of individuals struggling with mental health issues. “This is one of the best ways to prevent suicide. Training local community members to assist is a very effective way to save lives and lessen the huge toll suicide places on families and society,” she said. The Bike4Life: One Day-One Goal event is an important part of that effort. Funds raised allow Cycle Against Suicide to build awareness and raises money to support the work of Cycle Against Suicide in communities. The event is also an opportunity for communities across Ireland to talk and connect with each other and spread awareness of suicide and how it can be prevented. For further details visit: www.cycleagainstsuicide.com

If your community has been affected by suicide and you want Cycle Against Suicide to help, contact by email info@cycleagainstsuicide.com
If you or someone you know is struggling, and would like to talk with a Cycle Against Suicide Buddy, please visit: https://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/community-buddy/

Cycle Against Suicide in a volunteer based national suicide awareness/prevention charity. If you would like to get involved with our work, please email: info@cycleagainstsuicide.com