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Important Role for the Internet in Suicide Prevention - International Suicide
Conference to Hear of Positive Impact of the Internet
An international seminar hosted by Rehab focusing on the
controversial issue of 'Suicide and the Internet' will take place this
Tuesday, 28th August in the Irish National Events Centre in Killarney,
Co. Kerry. The seminar will examine the much-publicised negative role
that the internet can play in relation to suicide but most importantly
will emphasise the benefits of using the internet to promote suicide
prevention and provide support.
The seminar forms part of the pre-conference programme
for the XXIV World Congress of the International Association
for Suicide Prevention, hosted for the first time by the Irish Association
of Suicidiology,
which runs from 28th August to 1st September.
The 'Suicide and the Internet' seminar, which features
national and international guest speakers including
representatives from popular social networking site Bebo and from the
Irish Internet Providers Association, has been organised
because
of the high numbers
of completed suicides and reported deliberate self
harm among 15-24 year olds, an age group with a high internet usage.
Rachel O'Connell, Safety Officer for Bebo, will speak
about the positive role of social networking sites
and highlight the future
challenges in ensuring the internet is safe for young
people. Paul Durrant from the Irish Internet Providers
Association, who has been
involved in finding and closing down a number of
websites considered to contain inappropriate content, will speak
about the legal and moral
perspectives of his work and Anthony Langan, of the
Samaritans in the UK, will explain their campaign
to promote online options
for vulnerable
people.
The seminar will also feature talks by international
experts in the field of suicidology and an open
panel session chaired by Dr
John Connelly, Congress Chairman and Secretary
of the Irish Association of Suicidiology.
Speaking about the event, Angela Kerins, Chief
Executive of Rehab, said, "There has been much
controversy in recent years about the negative and sinister
role that the internet
plays
in the growing
rates of suicide in this country, particularly
among young people. While it is important that
we are aware of the dangers of the internet,
when it comes to suicide prevention, the internet
has an essential role to play in reaching out
to the most
vulnerable in our society,
those who feel most forgotten and alone.
International research clearly indicates that
the internet is increasingly being used as
a source of information on a wide variety of health issues,
including mental
health. The anonymity and accessibility
of the internet may allay young people's concerns
about
seeking help, especially their fear about lack
of confidentiality and a need for
autonomy. Instant online counseling provided
by trained personnel from reputable organisations,
regulated web-chats, youth-focused websites
and self-help interventions are all valuable
online
resources that have a hugely positive role
to play in preventing suicide and
promoting
mental health."
Also speaking in advance of the event, Dr John
Connelly said, "Given the importance of the
internet for good or ill, the seminar is
extremely topical. On the
whole the internet is a tremendous resource
for education and help on issues relating
to suicide
and how to deal with them. It is a great
information source on health issues and the
promotion of positive mental health which
is very important in any suicide prevention strategy".
The pre-conference seminar follows the successful
launch last week of Rehab's 'Headsup' 24-hour
text service that enables young people
in difficulty to access a free, confidential helpline and
support
information simply by texting the word
'Headsup' to 50424.
The innovative service received close to
2,000 texts in the first 48-hours of operations.
'Headsup' is one of a number of suicide
prevention initiatives currently being developed by
Rehab. Other initiatives include a lifeskills
and
Lifecoaching course, a parenting course
for fathers, and workplace training on suicide
prevention.
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