Book ‘Mind Ur Buddy’ Club Training

The IRFU and Pieta House today announced the latest training dates and venues for the club focused ‘Mind Ur Buddy’ mental health and suicide prevention programme which are now available for booking by all clubs.

Since it was piloted last year, the initiative has already seen a number of clubs seek Pieta House assistance for members who were facing difficulties.

The premise of the programme is simple – to keep an eye out for everyone in our rugby family to help prevent possible tragic circumstance and in doing so to be more open about depression and mental health challenges.

The schedule of dates, venues and times is listed below and all clubs interested in participating in this life saving initiative should contact Caitríona at Buddy@irishrugby.ie to book their place on the course that suits them.

About The Programme
Workshops are free and will be held over two evenings from 7.00pm-9.30pm. There are a limited number of places so please register early via email at Buddy@irishrugby.ie.

The next workshop taking place in Munster will be held at the Pieta House Centre in Bishopstown, Cork on February 11 and 18.

There is another workshop planned for Limerick with the date, time and venue to be confirmed.

The Mind Ur Buddy Training Programme has been designed in order to increase the knowledge and skills of people in clubs and communities regarding suicide prevention and intervention.

The programme will not expect people to become experts, it is simply designed to allow clubs have a number of people who can provide a 'listening ear', and provide a link for those who need help to those who can deliver that help.

The training programme will:
– Examine attitudes and beliefs to suicide and self-harm.
– Review the signs and symptoms of suicide and the triggers behind suicidal ideation.
– Discuss intervention skills and build confidence around suicide and self-harm.
– Discuss how to identify and assist a person in distress
– Detail how to be part of a referral pathway that might help save a person's life

Upcoming Workshops
Workshop 1:
21st & 28th January 2015 – Red Cow Moran Hotel (Dublin).

Workshop 2:
28th January & 4th February 2015 – Mc William Park Hotel, Mayo.

Workshop 3:
11th & 18th February 2015 – Bishopstown (Pieta House Centre), Cork

Workshop 4:
25th March & 1st April – Arklow, Wicklow – Venue TBA

For more information about the 'Mind Ur Buddy' Initiative, click here and here.