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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

World Suicide Prevention Day: West Belfast community promote positive mental health through 'Walk and Talk'

Families, friends and neighbours in West Belfast joined one another last night for a 'Walk and Talk' in line with World Suicide Prevention Day.

The initiative on Thursday marked its second year in the Colin community and there's hope that the walks can raise awareness about suicide prevention in the area.

Local residents of all ages gathered throughout the day and into the evening to walk from Colin Town Square to McKinstry roundabout and back.

Speaking to Belfast Live last night, Umberto Scappaticci from Colin Neighbourhood Partnership said: "We are here as part of Suicide Prevention Day and we are promoting the importance of walking and talking. We've come through a very hard time there and people will have suffered by staying in their homes through the lockdown and maybe they are still suffering.

"So we are advising people to talk about it and to air how they are feeling. And if they are feeling low, to contact Lifeline and talk to someone there. Talk to anybody and share how they are feeling. Don't let it build up where maybe it would become a problem.

"It's very important that we get out and show the people that this community is 100% behind suicide awareness and suicide prevention. We'll do all we can in Colin Neighbourhood Partnership and other community activists and community groups in this area to support people.

"We are always free to listen to people and to signpost people to different services. We have given everyone a Lifeline card and asked them to keep the cards in their wallets or purses and if they ever need anybody, to talk to or if they come across someone who needs to talk, to give these cards to them and to phone Lifeline."

  • If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call 24/7 crisis helpline Lifeline for free on 0808 808 8000.

Video footage by Belfast Live Videographer Harry Bateman. 

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