Cycle Against Suicide is a registered charity (CHY 20867) striving to break down the barriers around mental illness, and works to increase awareness of the supports and treatments that are available to empower those affected. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally in all age groups. Throughout Ireland, over 800 people die by suicide annually.
There are issues and struggles around mental illness within society with individuals being subject to social stigma. To address this prejudice and to create a stigma free society, Cycle Against Suicide sets out to develop a national awareness of its core message:
It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help’.
Our annual cycle, taking place from April 28th to May 7th through 17 counties across the island of Ireland, makes a valuable contribution to the public education of mental health throughout communities. Our message serves as a rallying point and absolutely makes a difference in saving lives.
All income from our cycle supports one of our core activities, our schools programme. Unfortunately, there is an increase in the numbers of young people dying by suicide. Our schools’ programme provides a framework for schools to integrate mental health activities into their curriculum. This programme culminates each year with our ‘Student Leaders’ Congress’, where on 18th January this year, over 7,000 students across Ireland participated for free in seminars and workshops. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FowXz44psXc.
Currently we work with over 200 schools but wish to introduce our programme to all schools to enable students across the island of Ireland to benefit. It is the young people of today, our adults of tomorrow, who can change the perception of mental illness and break the cycle of suicide.
We would be truly grateful if you could help to promote our event to members of your club and to wider local community. To this end, I have included posters of our event in printable format along with banner ads for social media. We would be grateful if you could display these posters throughout your club along with posting on your social media platforms if possible. People can join the cycle for half a day, one day or for as long as the wish and can register to at: https://regonline.activeeurope.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventId=2155298
Participants can also register on the day and cycle for a few hours, half day, a day, two days or for however long the wish.
Homestays are a central part of our cycle. We are still seeking homes that will host cyclists overnight and give a warm meal to them. Our homestay co-ordinator is Anne McGowan. If you can support the cycle in this manner please email:anne.mcgowan@cycleagainstsuicide.com
We thank you most sincerely for any help that you can give. Please feel free to contact me on 087 2465526 or by email: caroline.lafferty@cycleagainstsuicide.com should you wish to discuss any element of our event.
Sincerely yours,
Caroline Lafferty.
CEO
Cycle Against Suicide
