Oakgrove
Integrated
College
hosts a special performance of Felicity McCall’s play: “No Goodbyes” which focuses on the stories of those bereaved by suicide. The performance and discussion aims to raise awareness among young people about the topic of suicide, and its impact on members of the local community.
Vice Principal John Harkin said “In the UK each year, there are between 600 and 800 young people who end their lives by suicide; that is enough to fill a school. Locally, we all know stories of families bereaved by suicide. The purpose of this performance is to help people to explore the issue, and most importantly to be aware that help is available.”
Representatives from Samaritans, Zest and other support groups will be in attendance at the performance and the discussion. They aim to raise awareness of their work, and the wide range of support services available to those who are feeling distressed, isolated or suicidal.
The performance has been supported by a small grant from the Health Promotion Department in the campaign “Addressing Depression Beyond the Blues.” It aims to support groups locally working to address the issue of serious depression.
Oakgrove’s Principal Jill Markham explained why the school had chosen to apply for the grant. “Situated as we are in the grounds of Gransha, we take seriously our responsibility to promote positive mental health. Students in our school have identified promoting mental health as an important goal. We are pleased to have invited all of the local pros-primary schools to send students to join us. St Columb’s,. St Cecila’s and Lisneal have indicated that students will be attending, and will hopefully bring back to their friends the message of the support for young people when they are facing difficulties.”
The performance has been timed to coincide with a visit to Oakgrove by students from RooseveltHigh School, Seattle. The students are part of the programme “Hands For A Bridge” which brings young people together across divides. It encourages leadership and seeks to empower young people to make a difference in the lives of others. Oakgrove’s members of “Hands For A Bridge” in previous years have focussed on the area of mental health, and have helped the school to increase the work it does to support young people, and remove the stigma sometimes attached to mental health issues.