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HeadsUp launches writing competition
Young writers have opportunity to win Dell laptop and have
article published in Irish Independent
Budding young writers are being given the opportunity by
HeadsUp, Rehab's suicide prevention project, to enter
a nationwide writing competition that seeks to address the difficult
life issues
that affect young people. Whether it's relationships,
suicide, drugs, sexuality or any other topic that impacts on mental
health, people
can enter the competition by writing 1,000 words under
the title "Head wrecked - what's going on in my head?". The prize is
a Dell laptop
and the winner will have the full article published in
the Irish Independent. Further details on how to enter are on www.headsup.ie.
HeadsUp is an initiative targeted at improving young
people's mental well-being with the overall goal being
to reduce suicide amongst
the 15-24 year age group. Up to 500 people die from
suicide in Ireland annually, a large proportion of these being young
adults.
Furthermore
approximately 24% of all deaths in this age group are
suicides.
The HeadsUp initiative was launched in 2005 and encompasses
a number of programmes. HeadsUp Text, a free text
service supported by Meteor, which enables young people to
access a range of helplines
and support services (text: HEADSUP to 50424) has
so far received 17,000 texts from over 5,000 young people.
Other services include ASIST, a
suicide awareness and intervention training programme,
a lifeskills and life-coaching course, a parenting
course for fathers and a website
for young people that will be launched in the coming
weeks.
"A lot of young people struggle with financial difficulties,
sexuality issues, stress and relationship problems,"
says Collette Ryan, Project Manager of HeadsUp,
"and it is crucial that they know
that they have somewhere to turn to for support
and information. It is also important to recognise these
struggles and deal with them
in
an appropriate manner.
"The aim of this writing competition is to encourage
young adults to write and to explore how they
are feeling and in so doing
lift the burden of silence and share and learn
from each others' experiences. We are delighted
that the Irish Independent has teamed up with HeadsUp
on this project and we are looking forward to
reading the articles entered."
The closing date for entries is Tuesday 28th
October at 5pm.
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