Lenten Lecture series opens with suicide awareness

Buoyed by the success of the event he said: “The first in a series of six Thursday lunchtime addresses for Lent, in St Columb’s Cathedral, attracted around 60 people last week who found the talk by Mr Barry McGale interesting, informative and inspiring.

“Barry, who is Suicide Awareness Officer in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, spoke of the concern being expressed at the high incidence of suicide, and that one death by this means is one too many.

“Utilising research 
findings from various parts of the world, and especially Australia, where he 
had spent some time on a scholarship some years 
ago, Barry outlined the help and support which are available to those who have lost a loved one in this way, as well as outlining details of training courses upon which it is possible to embark, in trying to understand the issues better,” he said.

Dr Morton added: “At the end of the meeting Barry circulated some information for people feeling suicidal as well as for those who have borne, and continue to bear, the pain and the loss of the death of a loved one in this way.”

In the series of addresses, entitled ‘Hope, Action, 
Results’, the second talk will be delivered in St Columb’s Cathedral, tomorrow, 
Thursday, beginning at 
1.05 pm, by Mr Giovanni Doran, from the Samaritans, who will speak on the importance, and significance, 
of listening.

Everyone is most welcome to attend.

Light refreshments 
will be served afterwards tin The Chapter House - all donations for The NI Children’s Hospice. Everyone most welcome.

The series of mid-week Lenten services continues this evening, Wednesday, at 7.30pm.

when Canon John Merrick will begin a series of themed addresses.