Taxi drivers in Donegal are set to gain potentially life-saving skills under a new Taxi Watch Suicide Prevention scheme.
The innovative project, which started in Derry, trains taxi drivers with suicide prevention skills and teaches them how to help somebody who may be in distress or feeling suicidal.
Taxi Watch recognises the value of taxi drivers and night taxi drivers, in particular, as front-line service providers who have direct contact with a large and varying cross section of the community.
The project will be launched in Donegal at an event in Letterkenny next week by Local Link Donegal, with support from the HSE’s Connecting for Life Programme.
All Taxi and Hackney drivers in Donegal are invited avail of this opportunity to come and learn about Taxi Watch on Monday 21st January from 11.30am – 1.00pm at the Function Room, Century Cinemas, Letterkenny.
Through Taxi Watch, drivers get basic training and support which will enable them to be more aware and better equipped to respond appropriately should they find themselves in a situation where there is potential of a suicide or to recognise the signs of a potential suicide.
“So far, initiatives in Derry, Kilkenny and other parts of the country have saved hundreds of lives and it is hoped that the Donegal taxi and hackney drivers will become important players in the current county wide effort to reduce suicide,” said a Taxi Watch Donegal spokesperson.
“Please come along and avail of this opportunity to hear and learn all about this great “hands on” initiative – Taxi Watch!”
For more information contact Local Link Donegal on 074 9741644
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