Annual Cycle Against Suicide open for entries

REGISTRATION has opened for the annual Cycle Against Suicide which takes place from 28 April 2018 – 7 May 2018.

It will pass through Sligo on Friday, May 4 th as it makes its way from Ballyshannon to Ballina and on to Carrick-on-Shannon.

Cycle Against Suicide is an initiative to raise awareness of the help and support networks that are available to people across Ireland that are battling depression, self-harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide.

Since 2013, the event has seen over 15,000 cyclists take to the roads to help spread the message that ‘It’s OK not to feel OK; and It’s absolutely OK to ask for help’.

The official 2018 route schedule and map are now live - the 2018 cycle is the biggest event yet. The route will pass through 17 counties and 67 towns, stopping at 40 locations throughout the 750 km route.

The power of the cycle and its message is something that brings families, communities, organisations, schools, indi- viduals and cyclists of all abilities together with a common purpose of ending the cycle of suicide in Ireland.

Each year, Cycle Against Suicide aims to engage more and more communities to begin a conversation about mental health, about looking after and reaching out to each other.

CEO of Cycle Against Suicide, Caroline Lafferty commented; We all know someone affected by mental illness. Even now stigma stops people from seeking help. It is due to stigma, fear and lack of understanding that many of us don’t talk about it.

“At Cycle Against Suicide, we are working with the people of Ireland to break down these barriers working to increase awareness of the support networks and treatments that are available to empower those affected.

“Our cycle is an opportunity not just to raise awareness of the many services available to those in pain, but also acts as a shining example of support for our fellow community members, proving there truly is strength in numbers.”