People urged to sign up for suicide prevention training

A local therapist provider is investing in suicide prevention training.

'Cushla' provides a range of psychological services to support mental and physical health.

Now, it's teamed up with SOS (Stamp out Suicide) -  to provide free phone counselling.

It's aimed to help people get through their darkest moments and offer a support service from 10am to 2am.  

According to the Island's government - for  14 years the local suicide rate has been statistically similar to the U.K. 

However, the rate increased in 2019/2020 with 22 deaths per 85.032 population.

The (ONS) Office of National Statistics showed 10 deaths per 100,00 population in 2020 in the U.K 

Cushla says with the increase in deaths by suicide on the IOM it collaborated with Manx Minds to bring the training here:

Cushla founder Paula Dunlop  adds statistics are showing a spike in young men taking their own lives: 

As a result, the founder of SOS is offering a 3 hour course on Island next week - it's hoped to train as many people as possible, like CPR, to have the skills to deal with a suicide crisis in the community.

Ultimately, Cushla would like to mirror the SOS service on the Island by setting up a charity called Stamp out sucide IOM. 

Anyone can get involved, regardless of training:

The sessions are being held next Tuesday (July 12) at the Mountain View Innovation Centre from 6.30-9.30pm and the following day (July 13) at Vagabonds Rugby Club at the same time.

If interested, you can email stampoutsuicideiom@gmail.com.