New BRAVE programme empowers young people in Donegal
A pioneering suicide alertness initiative, BRAVE, has been unveiled to support 16–18-year-olds in Donegal. This youth-led programme fosters resilience and compassionate dialogue, marking a significant step in local mental health collaboration ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Source:
HSE — Health Service Executive
•
⏱️ 2 min read
The BRAVE programme, standing for Building Resilience, Awareness, Voice and Empathy, is a new suicide alertness initiative co-designed with young people from its inception. Rather than being created simply for young people, it reflects their input in shaping the content, delivery, and tone, ensuring relevance and sensitivity to their experiences.
Launched on 10 September 2026 at the An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny, the event coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day and Green Ribbon month, highlighting the community’s collective commitment to supporting youth mental health. BRAVE targets 16–18-year-olds in out-of-school community settings, with pilot sessions delivered through the Our Generation project, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
Funded by HSE Connecting for Life Donegal and developed in partnership with Donegal Youth Service, HSE Scan U Service, Ulster University, Action Mental Health, and Atlantic Technological University, the programme fills a vital gap in trauma-informed suicide alertness training for older adolescents. It provides a safe, supportive space for young people to develop confidence and compassion in recognising distress, having safer conversations about suicide, and identifying where to seek help. Resource Officer Ciara Wray emphasised the strength of community collaboration and the importance of empowering young people as natural gatekeepers for one another, while Youth Work Manager Frankie McGreevy highlighted the programme’s youth-centred design. Research Associate Colette Ramsey praised the meaningful youth participation integral to BRAVE’s development.
Launched on 10 September 2026 at the An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny, the event coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day and Green Ribbon month, highlighting the community’s collective commitment to supporting youth mental health. BRAVE targets 16–18-year-olds in out-of-school community settings, with pilot sessions delivered through the Our Generation project, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
Funded by HSE Connecting for Life Donegal and developed in partnership with Donegal Youth Service, HSE Scan U Service, Ulster University, Action Mental Health, and Atlantic Technological University, the programme fills a vital gap in trauma-informed suicide alertness training for older adolescents. It provides a safe, supportive space for young people to develop confidence and compassion in recognising distress, having safer conversations about suicide, and identifying where to seek help. Resource Officer Ciara Wray emphasised the strength of community collaboration and the importance of empowering young people as natural gatekeepers for one another, while Youth Work Manager Frankie McGreevy highlighted the programme’s youth-centred design. Research Associate Colette Ramsey praised the meaningful youth participation integral to BRAVE’s development.
0 views