TD’s and Senators Saddle Up For Cycle Against Suicide

15 March 2013

TD’s and Senators from across the political spectrum gathered outside Leinster House earlier today to confirm their support to help ‘Break the Cycle’ of suicide in Ireland by getting behind Cycle Against Suicide, a  National Suicide Awareness initiative.  

 

The Cycle Against Suicide takes place around Ireland from Monday 22nd April to Sunday 5th May 2013.They were also joined by celebrities Roz Purcell, Brent Pope and 2FM’s Colm Hayes.It was announced this morning that Labour TD Arthur Spring and Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O'Connor along with a number of other elected representatives will also get on their bikes and participate in legs of the Cycle.  

 

This will help significantly to create awareness of the considerable help and supports that are out there for anyone battling depression or self harm, those at risk of suicide, or those coping with the loss of loved ones due to suicide.Jim  Breen, CEO and Founder of PulseLearning, devised the initiative following the screening of a TV documentary ‘The Secret Millionaire’ which featured him visiting a suicide awareness group.  

 

Jim is delighted with the cross party support and said at the event “Suicide doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age, gender or social background.  It’s fantastic to have such cross party support here today; fighting shoulder to shoulder to break the cycle of suicide in Ireland.”“I am delighted that so many TD’s and Senators will be joining us as we cycle around the country, visiting 28 schools and colleges, hosting exhibitions of local mental health services, and arranging a series of mental health talks during the cycle.  

 

We are now expecting over two thousand people to be part of the Cycle Against Suicide – double what we originally expected.” he added.Fine Gael TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor added “The Cycle Against Suicide is a really tangible and practical way for people to help break the cycle for suicide in Ireland.

 

The Cycle Against Suicide tagline – It’s OK not to feel OK, and that it’s more than OK to ask for help, is a really powerful statement. We need to continue to spread that message and to teach our young people that depression, anxiety and stress, sadly, are sometimes part of everyday life; but that there is help available and that there is a way out.

 

The Cycle Against Suicide campaign is working towards furthering that goal, encouraging everyone to play their part in breaking the vicious cycle of suicide that claims hundreds of precious lives in Ireland every year.”Participants can take part in a section of each 50 km leg, an entire leg, multiple legs, or even complete the entire cycle. To learn more, get involved as a volunteer, or sign up, please visit www.cycleagainstsuicide.com .

 

For further news, follow @CASuicide on twitter or visit us on Facebook.ENDSNote to Editor:The  project is endorsed and supported by:- The National Suicide Research Foundation, the Institute of Guidance Councillors, An Garda Síochána, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Ireland.