Updated 1.4pm
(YouTube: HSE Ireland)
KERRY TEENAGER DONAL Walsh continues to inspire his peer group, even after his untimely death.
The young man reiterates a message of hope to teenagers and young adults in a video produced by the HSE and first aired on RTÉ on Saturday night.
Already viewed by almost 2,500 people on YouTube, the video shows the 16-year-old talking to camera about the importance of sharing one’s thoughts, dreams and feelings.
“Why keep it to yourself when people you love – and who love you – are there to help you? They want to help you. They want to get rid of these feelings you’re feeling,” he says.
So I’d say to someone who is standing there in a room where they feel there are no windows and no doors, just black. I would say take time, a door will open, someone will be at that door. You can go to the door as well, anyone can find their own door out – they just have to ask.
A number of mental health professionals, suicide resource officers and youth groups have had input into the video to ensure the message was appropriate, and safe, for its target audience of young people, the HSE said.
Donal Walsh passed away six months ago after a long battle with cancer. He was just 16 years of age but inspired many when he went public with his appeal to teens not to take their own lives.
He wrote an article on teen suicide and subsequently appeared on the Saturday Night Show to speak about the issue.
Since his death, the Walsh family have donated funds to the suicide resource centre Console so that two rooms can be refurbished. The Walsh family have also set up the #Livelife Foundation in their son’s memory.
Helplines:
Samaritans 1850 60 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634
Console 1800 201 890
Aware 1890 303 302
Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie
Childline 1800 66 66 66
First published 2.45pm
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