Talk to Tom to train 75 staff at Kerry Foods

PRODUCE giant Kerry Foods has joined forces with Gorey’s Talk to Tom charity in order to train 75 staff members in the life saving ‘QPR Gatekeeper’ suicide prevention programme by the end of this year.

To date, 20 workers in the company’s facility in Shillelagh have taken part in the course with the volunteer run organisation. The programmes teaches ordinary members of the public how to spot the warning signs of suicide.

Kerry Foods has said it plans to have as many people coached in the programme.

HR Business Partner with Kerry Foods Fiona O’Carroll said the course was attended by 20 employees so far from across the career level spectrum at Kerry Foods.

‘ The training was amazing for everyone involved,’ said Fiona. ‘Regardless of your role in the organisation, we are all affected the same way when it comes to our mental health.’

QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, is a suicide prevention technique which was designed by CEO of Talk to Tom Ray Cullen.

Just as people train in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people train in QPR to learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.