Suicide is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide prevention is an important topic for everyone, and particularly for the Irish community in Britain.
Rates of suicide in the Irish community in Britain are higher than the average, with some of the highest rates of suicide occurring in the Irish Traveller communites. Suicide, like mental health or substance use disorders, is a highly stigmatised topic.
While it is an issue that touches many of us, most people are uncomfortable discussing suicide. If we are to change these statistics and the stigma surrounding suicide, we must provide training and education and take action to build healthier communities.
Irish in Britain recently launched its subsidised Mental Health First Aid training course, with the aim of providing accessible mental health training and education to our member organisations. To find out more about how your organisation can get involved in this training, contact Marie at health@irishinbritain.org.
Irish in Britain’s member organisation ICAP (Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy) provides accessible, culturally–sensitive therapy services to Irish migrants, and people of Irish descent, living in Britain.