486 people, also know as friends, family and love ones have gone the way of suicide in 2010, which is lot more than road deaths, this course informing the TDs about this could be a positive step in reducing the number of people who go this way. hopefully government money will be earmarked to raise awareness and provide assistance for these cases.

Well the fact that this story going to.be on TV, radio and online for the day will raise awareness about the issue and let people know theres a course in preventon,

Great idea, TDs meet many people in tough situations, good to have type of training. I think though that ex TD Bertie should be allowed attend considering his previous comments

Less burden on people simply trying to survive should be the first step explained in this "talk". Maybe letting them be aware (possibly hypnotised if needed lol) of what real despair feels like, then they would/may see the importance of their sweeping decisions. But credit where due, all suicide awareness helps!

I lost a friend to suicide in April and still cannot understand why he did it. His family are devastated especially as he had given no indication that he was having suicidal thoughts. He was 36 years old. I really wish I had known as I myself have faced this in the past and overcome it, maybe I could have helped. He was so alive and passionate and articulate and funny. Hard to take. I say the more awareness the better, doesn’t matter how.

This is such a positive step forward in making people/ politicians aware of other’s suicidal tendencies…. Politicians by nature of their work meet so many people, that increasing their awareness can only be helpful. If it saves one persons life it will be worth it. Suicide is such a taboo subject and an emotional subject , I am delighted to see this initiative . We all know someone or of someone who has died by suicide , ten people a week or there abouts … We all need to become more aware, and not just leave it to the experts to prevent . Suicidal thoughts start off small and often you hear people say ‘if only’ after the death. Good luck to all involved , I hope to see this trickle to the masses

I know when I’m feeling suicidal my first thought is, I should call my TD for a boost.

at least this will help raise awareness of #suicideprevention

Maybe after the TDs get this sort of training – if they think “suicide first-aid” should be as common-place as a first-aid kit (and I agree btw) they could start giving this sort of training in Secondary schools (to students and teachers). If it’s just a matter of a few hours, or a day-long course, I’m sure it could (and should) be done.

Apologies for any typos or mis-spellings, I’m not really ‘with it’ today.

it must be tough being a TD. Better make sure they can look for signs of suicidal tendencies in the dail bar. There is an awful history of suicide among Irish TDs apparently. Must be the money and easy living.

Not at all surprised that such at poor turnout it was obviously something they could not expense out . 3 male suicides where i live this week i knew 2 of them , its tragic and senseless but people are in despair and it doesn’t take much to push someone over the edge , the people we elected to govern our country have let us down and destroyed lives, men and women cannot find work , families are hurting and what does our new Government do, pour on the pain with total indifference to the plight of families and individuals,no wonder people are are taking their lives. Not all suicides are planned so there is no cure all ,but the more indifferent we have become the less chance we have of spotting the signs, low mood , crying ,changes in habits , lack of conversation ,excessive drinking the list is endless.
We all know someone who is alone or a loner or is having it tough, make it your business to say hello or call to visit or just salute them as you go by , it costs you nothing but might mean a whole lot to someone.

if the goverment did more to help people be able to cope with the finacial and work pressure that they are under it might be more constructive, more and more people are finding it hard to cope finacially and socially these days and what does the govt do,cut income,raise tax’s (except for the rich of course) and drive up prices, there policies are driving people to disper and depression. if they have a job thenthey are worried about losing it so they work longer and harder, their social and family life takes second place and stress takes over, if t.d.’s want to help then fine ,but look at the major causes of this ,not just quick fix solutions.