Events being held to mark Suicide Day

Events being held to mark Suicide Day

23 August 2023

A NEWCASTLE community group is running a series of events and workshops to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

To coincide with World Suicide Day on September 10, the Newcastle Suicide Prevention Task Group will be raising awareness of suicide prevention and positive mental wellbeing with the Newcastle Festival of Life.

This year’s theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, which embodies the work and ethos of the Newcastle group.

It will form part of a larger campaign running from September 10 to World Mental Health Day on October 10.

The group was set up 11 years ago and comprises of local faith representatives, community leaders, community, voluntary and statutory agencies. 

Its aim is to increase the awareness of suicide prevention, increase uptake of suicide prevention/mental health awareness training, support the implementation of trust community response plan and to promote mental health and wellbeing services through several annual events.

The festival will begin with the Walk for Life Event on September 2.  The event is free and will take place in two sessions at Mount Panther Farm Park. 

The morning session will be from 11am to 1pm and the afternoon session will run from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic.

On Tuesday, September 5, the Vital Nutrition Good Mood Foods workshop will be hosted by Jane McClenaghan. The workshop is free and will take place from 10am to 11am in the Newcastle Centre.

The festival continues on Thursday September 7, with a cold water therapy talk which is also taking place at the Newcastle Centre from 11am to 12pm.

A free online mental health first aid training course will be delivered via zoom on Thursday, September 7, and Friday, September 8. Participants will be required to book directly: popshopeandsupport.org/book-now?ID=3679.

On Sunday, September 10, people can participate in a sunrise swim, which begins at 6.15am, and from 8am to 9am there will be a CHI by the sea on the promenade.

The festival concludes on Wednesday September 14, with a senior tea dance featuring Country Harmony at the Burrendale Hotel from 2pm to 4pm.

All events featured at the Newcastle Festival of Life 2023 are being funded by National Lottery Community Fund as part of Co Down Rural Community Network’s Down Together Connected and United Programme.