Appeal for Newbridge to turn orange in memory of those lost to suicides

A Newbridge Secondary School with almost 1,000 students is appealing for the town to turn orange this May 6, in tribute to all those who have lost their lives to suicide.

Today the Patrician Secondary School with 900 boys, has been chosen as host in the Cycle Against Suicide, for the first time. The pupils will be completing the final stage from Carlow to Dublin through Athy, Suncroft and Curragh Camp before heading to the school via Ballymany, Main Street and stopping at the school for refreshments.

Chief Organiser and school Vice-Principal Pat Moloney is looking for the support of the town: “It’s a great privilege for us to be chosen as a Host School in an effort to make people aware of a serious issue effecting our society. However, we will be extolling a positive message of well-being and support and following the Cycle Against Suicide message of “It’s Ok Not To Feel Ok and It’s Absolutely Ok To Ask For Help”.

Mr Moloney said: “We are calling on the support of students, parents, families, businesses and the community of Newbridge, to turn the town orange on the day. Wear something orange, wave an orange flag, whatever… and line the street from Ballymany to the school showing our support for well-being.”

The Patrician Secondary School, under the guidance of Newbridge teacher, John Doran, provides a Life Skills course to students. The six weeks course is taught by eight teachers and covers the emotional self, preparing for the world of work and recognising their own emotions.

Statistics from the Childrens' Rights Alliance, reveal that between 2009 and 2011, Ireland had the highest rate of female youth suicide and the second highest rate of male youth suicide in the European Union.

On May 6, the school will have to feed over 900 people, with entertainment to be provided by various musicians from among the students.

Mr Moloney said: “We are also hoping for a very surprise special guest on the day, but that’s still a work in progress.''

Pictured left to right: Teacher Killian Whelan, Fr Paul Dempsey, Deputy Principal Pat Moloney, Colm Hayes, Siobhán Byrne teacher, Johnny Doyle and Pat O' Leary.

Depression is a serious medical condition that affects your behaviour, your thinking, your emotions and physical health over time. While feeling down only lasts for a short while, depression affects you for at least 2 weeks.

How do you know if you have depression?

Here are some of the symptoms:

Feeling sad or down a lot of the time, even when there’s no reason.
Feelings of despair that you can’t escape.
A lack of feeling or emotion. You don’t feel anything and have lost the ability to feel happy.
Feeling exhausted and lacking energy all the time.
Continuous and long mood swings, when you change from feeling happy to despairing, sorrowful or angry and irritable.
The things that used to give you enjoyment or make you happy leave you feeling numb or uninterested.
Feeling that you don't want to talk to family or friends.
Difficulty concentrating or a losing interest in your work.
Putting on or losing a lot of weight.
Different sleep patterns. You might not be able to fall asleep or you can’t get up in the morning.
Some women suffer from postnatal depression after having a baby.
Feeling guilty for doing something terrible or feeling worthless as a person.
Feeling so bad that you think it would be a relief to die or hurt yourself.

Aware

– is a voluntary organisation providing support through depression. Helpline 1890 303 302. www.aware.ie

Samaritans

– is a national helpline which provides 24 hour emotional support for those feeling despair. 1850 60 90 90.

Childline

– is a national 24 hour helpline to empower, support and protect young people. Tel: 1800 66 66 66.

Headstrong

– is a national organisation working with communities in Ireland to make sure that young people aged 12 to 25 are better supported to achieve mental health and wellbeing. Tel: 01 6607343. www.headstrong.ie