PRESS RELEASE

Kerry dj – Deejay o’ b announces support for suicide prevention charity The 3Ts [Turn the Tide of Suicide]

Killarney based dj James O Brien {AKA deejay o’ b} has announced that he is to support  The 3Ts {Turn the Tide of Suicide},  a registered charity in Ireland (Reg no CHY15710), founded to raise awareness of the problem of suicide in Ireland and to raise funds to help lower suicide rates through dedicated research, educational support and intervention. Fundraising for the 3Ts contributes to various research projects, support of other agencies and organisations and also to their partnership in 1Life, the 24 hour Suicide Freephone Helpline launched in October last year (Tel: 1-800-24-7-100).

 

From his own personal experience of being a member of the civil defence search and rescue for 5 years now, James comments that he now knows more people that have died of suicide than cancer or road crashes.  In recent years he has experienced the increase in suicide both professionally with the Civil Defence and personally with relatives and friends who have taken their own lives.  This is why Deejay o’ b  proposes to display  1Life posters, brochures, wallet cards or window stickers  at the venues where he plays, this he hopes would assist to inform people  that there is a confidential freephone crisis helpline available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  James says “You never know who might pick up one of the wallet cards at one of my gigs, take it home and in the small hours when they are feeling low will remember it and call the number, Tel 1-800-24-7-100, “even if it is to help one person then that would be great ”.  Suicidal thoughts or intentions can be transient.  If that person has someone to talk to in their moment of need, they can move on and may never have that thought again.

Latest 3Ts funded research indicates that around 80% of people who take their own lives have sought help.  They may have confided in someone in the month leading up to their death and in some cases will have asked that person not to say anything.  The confidante is left with a huge burden of guilt if the person proceeds to take their own life.  If you are in receipt of that information, the most important thing is to listen to the person; to let them know that you recognise the pain they are in but that you are not equipped to help on your own, and suggest let’s go together to get some help.  We all need to look out for our friends and seek help with any friend we believe to be in crisis. People in crisis need to know that they can reach out to their friends or their community and that there are lots of people out there who will and can help.  If this attitude can be nurtured and adopted within every community and within all friendships, it will have a positive impact for many years to come. 

 

According to the 3Ts the biggest No.1 killer of young men in Ireland is not cancer, nor is it road traffic deaths, it is Suicide.  Some peoples  unfortunate experiences of depression and of redundancy brought on by  the recession is bringing with it increased pressure on individuals and with that has come an increase in suicides.  During the first half of 2009, deaths by suicide increased by 35%.  Previous statistics indicate approximately 600 people die by suicide every year.  However, taking into account the increase last year of 35% that becomes a shocking 800 suicides, or 15 per week, more than 2 each day. 

Yet Government funding in the same period to organizations working in the area of mental health and suicide was reduced by 12.5%.  This reduction of funding has been further reduced in 2010 by another 6.5%.  All 3Ts work is funded by their own fundraising efforts and those of people  who step up to the plate and offer to fundraise whether by participating in a sponsored sporting event or by holding a table quiz or such like.  3Ts receives no Government funding. 

The 3Ts are delighted to be joint venture partners with fellow charity, Console, in setting up the 1Life Suicide Helpline – Tel 1-800-24-7-100.  Although only launched in October 2009, 1Life has quickly established itself as a lifeline for individuals in suicidal crisis and those with any issue related to suicide or self-harm.  It is currently the only dedicated 24 hour suicide intervention and prevention helpline as its professional counsellors and team of highly qualified volunteers can provide practical intervention assistance and has done so since its very first day of operation.  It really is saving lives every day.

PRACTICAL ADVICE:

 

1Life Suicide Helpline:

Freephone Telephone Number:                               1-800-24-7-100

Text:                                                                      “HELP” to 51444 for 1 to 1 Support (Standard Text Rates Apply)

Web:                                                                     www.1life.ie

Donate:                                                                Text DONATE on 57030 to support 1Life (Donate Texts cost €2.50)