The Policing and Drugs subgroup of Drogheda Implementation Board, led by members of An Garda Síochana and HSE Mental Health Services, are carrying out a community awareness campaign throughout September in Drogheda to coincide with Suicide Prevention and Awareness month.

Tomorrow, Tuesday September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) have adopted the theme for the years 2024-2026 of “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.

Changing that narrative is about shifting from a culture of silence of stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.

The campaign in Drogheda aims to raise community awareness of the resources available to support those experiencing mental health difficulties and reduce the stigma associated with this.

‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ and Preventing Suicide Together posters; and 24/7 crisis support cards are being distributed to a variety of locations across Drogheda including retail and hospitality premises, shopping centres, doctor and dental surgeries, community centres, gyms and more.

Speaking about the campaign Coordinator of Drogheda Implementation Board, Gráinne Berrill, said:

“Late last year we hosted an event bringing together staff from 25 agencies and services working in the Drogheda area, all of whom support people who are vulnerable or at risk of experiencing a mental health crisis.

“One of the biggest outcomes of the discussion was a realisation that there are a lot of resources and supports available in the community but not everyone is aware of them. That was the genesis of this campaign.

“Working with our partners in An Garda Síochána - who often find themselves responding to incidents with mental health components - and the HSE, the campaign aims to get information on supports for those experiencing mental health difficulties to locations where our community spend their day to day lives.

“We are encouraging people, when they see the posters or information cards, to take a photo or take a card so they have the numbers available when they need them and to talk to the friends, family, co-workers about issues relating to mental health to reduce the stigma of talking about these issues.

The campaign also seeks to provide support to frontline services with all Garda, Louth County Council and Louth Fire Service vehicles being equipped with keyrings that feature a QR code that links to supports and services available in the local area.”

The group are also encouraging Drogheda to get behind the SeeChange Green Ribbon campaign during September. The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Wearing a green ribbon shows colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health.

It can also be worn in memory of a loved one. Members of the public can get involved by wearing a green ribbon; wearing green on the 10^th September; or hosting a green ribbon event such as a coffee morning, or a walk.

Drogheda Library staff will wear green ribbons in support of the campaign and will have Green Ribbons available for members of the public, while Louth County Council are turning their buildings green on the 10^th September to mark World Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day and businesses are encouraged to do the same.

There are also a series of workshops and other events across the month, including a ‘Minding your Emotional Wellbeing’ workshop being delivered by Shine on Wednesday 25^th of September at 11am in Drogheda Library.

For further information on this campaign please email implementationboard@lmetb.ie.

Further information on the Drogheda Report, Implementation Plan, Implementation Board and action delivery see: www.droghedaimplementationboard.ie