CYCLE: Killarney Community College will act as anchor host for the annual Cycle Against Suicide next week. Pictured l-r were: Patrick Dineen, Hazel O'Riordan, Natalia Leane, Namejs Balodis, Emma Lynch, Karen O'Donoghue and Eilish O'Leary (Deputy Principal).

By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Community College will act as anchor host for the annual Cycle Against Suicide which arrives in the town next Wednesday.

The nationwide event starts tomorrow (Saturday) and will finish in Dublin on May 6, arriving in Killarney, on May 1.

Schools along the route act as “anchor hosts”. Led by a link teacher and team of student leaders, the school provides refreshments and facilities for the cyclists as they make their way along the route. Cycle Against Suicide joins with the school to create a mental health event comprising of presentations, videos, celebrity speakers, entertainment and an exhibition of local mental health services.

There is a strong emphasis now being placed on mental health and well-being by the Department of Education,” Stella Loughnane, Killarney Community College Principal, said.

“We are delighted with the opportunity to host such an important and worthwhile event that raises awareness about such a sensitive subject and whose central message highlights the fact that ‘it’s ok to not be ok’,” Stella said. “Hopefully students will realise that there is always help available to them with regards to their emotional needs.”