Kildare County Council urged to support suicide prevention training event

A Kildare county councillor sought support from Kildare County Council (KCC) for a suicide prevention training event in Monasterevin.

Social Democrats Cllr Pat Balfe raised the matter via a motion he submitted at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, June 18 last.

He motioned for KCC to support "the organisation of a SafeTALK suicide prevention training event in Monasterevin as part of Mental Health Awareness Month and agrees to work in partnership with local community groups, including Heads Up, mental health charities, and relevant statutory bodies to facilitate and promote the event."

According to Cllr Balfe: "This initiative is intended to build community resilience, increase awareness of mental health challenges, and equip participants with practical skills to identify and respond to those at risk of suicide."

His motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Chris Pender. The motion was also heard alongside a query submitted by Cllr Pender, as his query was similar to Cllr Balfe's motion.

Social Democrats Cllr Pat Balfe. File photograph

Cllr Pender's query read as follows: "Can the council confirm if it would consider exploring the possibility of working with this Municipal District and relevant organisations to promote mental health awareness in the Newbridge area?"

In response to Cllr Balfe's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "Kildare County Council Community Department works closely with the HSE Suicide Prevention Officer, HeadsUp, mental health charities and other bodies through a number of forums including Connecting for Life.

"Suicide prevention training, including SafeTALK has and continues to be rolled out across a number of areas across the county.

"A list of courses organised by the HSE in Kildare is available on the HSE website and are promoted by Kildare County Council."

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KCC also noted that any community organisation seeking to arrange such training can contact the HSE Suicide Prevention officer, or the Kildare County Council Community team.

Regarding Cllr Pender's query, KCC had this to say: "The Community Department in Kildare County Council works collaboratively with the HSE, mental health organisations, community, and voluntary groups to promote and support mental health around the county.

"This includes participation on the HSE Connecting for Life strategy group. Kildare LCDC works to implement initiatives through other partners including Healthy Ireland, HeadsUP in its work to run bespoke programmes across the county, Kildare Sports Partnership collaboration on

"The Woodlands for Health Programme with the HSE, the Mental Health Association to run community cafes, CAMS-Care suicide prevention training for staff working in community / youth work and Kildare Traveller Action Traveller specific counselling as examples."

KCC added: "The council will discuss Mental Health awareness and community resilience specifically for the Newbridge area with its partners with the view to progressing various programmes and events."

Cllr Balfe told KCC that he welcomed its assistance in the matter, while Cllr Pender said about the topic: "We need to support people as much as we can."

He added: "Everyone in this chamber has probably been touched by the issue in some way."

OPTIMISM

After the meeting, Cllr Balfe also told the Leinster Leader that he "warmly welcomed" KCC's for the proposed SafeTALK suicide prevention training event.

He said: "This initiative represents a meaningful step toward increasing mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and strengthening community resilience.

"I particularly appreciate KCC's active role in initiating communication with the HSE Suicide Prevention Officer and other relevant partners."

Cllr Balfe continued: "This support is proving instrumental in progressing plans for the event, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to KCC and Community Department for their responsiveness and practical assistance.

"Plans are currently being put in place to host the training session with qualified and experienced professionals, ensuring that all aspects of the event are delivered to the highest standards of care, safety, and effectiveness.

"Event registration will be online, and the training will be delivered by trained facilitators who will help ensure the content is delivered in a compassionate, informed, and supportive manner, critical given the sensitive nature of suicide prevention."

Cllr Balfe also said that he recognised "the importance of approaching the event with care and sensitivity".

"While this training will be open to the wider public, particular effort will be made to engage and invite key groups who may benefit most from the skills and awareness provided," he said. "This include groups who are often on the front line of informal support, and by empowering them with knowledge and confidence, this could have a life-saving impact."

Cllr Balfe elaborated: "At the same time, raising public awareness of the event in a respectful and accessible way is essential.

"The event will be promoted online using positive, inclusive messaging that reflects the value of collective responsibility and care."

He concluded: "I look forward to continuing our work with the Council, HSE, Heads Up, and other mental health advocates to bring this initiative to fruition — together, we can help equip our community with the tools to recognise and respond to those in need, and most importantly, to foster a culture of openness, support, and hope."