Grounded and PIPS Newry join forces to help raise suicide awareness
After World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday 10th September, a Newry businessman has lent his support to a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the increased need to open up and talk about suicide.
To coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, Graeme Finegan, of Grounded Espresso bars in Newry city centre, has lent his support to a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the increased need to open up and talk about suicide by teaming up with PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm) Newry and Mourne for the ‘Prevent Suicide; Reach out – Speak Up’ campaign.
Graeme, who grew up Newry is hoping that the local platform his business offers him will encourage people in the area to support the initiative.
Graeme said: “The symbol for this campaign takes the form of a striking green disposable coffee cup with messages emblazoned on the outside such as ‘Speak Up’ and ‘Reach Out’.
“Our coffee shops are that place where people come to chat, open up and tell friends, family or loved ones what is happening in their lives; be it good or bad. No one really knows what is going on in people’s lives but we hope that by people seeing this cup and reading the message it can make everyone more aware of the situation.
He added, “We want people to pass on the message and make it stick.”
Seamus McCabe from PIPS Newry & Mourne said,
“It is our philosophy at PIPS Newry & Mourne that we must participate “on the ground” in our community, to prevent suicide from happening both in Newry and the surrounding Newry & Mourne area and to be apart of this new suicide prevention initiative in partnership with Grounded Espresso in Newry is very encouraging.
“The Grounded Espresso Bar is a very popular café in the Newry area, lots of people young and old visit and delight in the service and refreshments but also relax and chat and a simple statement on their coffee cups like ‘Prevent suicide, speak up and reach out’ might encourage someone to seek the help that they need.”
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