Shining a light on the southside
A project which promotes speaking openly about your mental health has expended into the southside of Cork city
Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness launched in Ballyphehane Community Centre on Tory Top Road recently. The group’s motto is: ‘Talking is a sign of strength not weakness’.
Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness has been operating mainly on the northside of the city since its establishment in 2009 when it was known as the North West Suicide Awareness Group.
The group was rebranded as Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness in 2012. Then, in 2020 it became a CLG.
Since its establishment, Shine a Light Suicide Awareness Group has been continually growing and expanding while looking at ways of building supports which are easy to access and are affordable to the communities it serves.
Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness CLG is made up of several highly motivated local people and representatives of both statutory and voluntary services.
The main aim of the group is to continually work toward lowering the incidence of suicide in the communities represented, and increase awareness around mental health and suicide.
It is the core belief of Shine a Light that community groups have a vital role to play in suicide prevention work and it is simply not possible to progress any national level agenda without strong community engagement and active support.
A spokesperson said: “We are hugely excited by this prospect at this time, and under the umbrella of Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness, together we can be a strong voice for the people of the area and advocate on their behalf. We look forward to see what our new members will bring to the table.
“In these challenging times it is the community spirit, solidarity and a clear vision that will rise above the obstacles and find solutions that are required,” added the spokesperson.
Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness CLG provide counselling at low cost through the Coiscéim Counselling service, provision of SafeTALK and ASIST Suicide Awareness Trainings, in conjunction with the HSE among other services. Contact the group at shinealightcork@gmail.com.