Collection boxes for the Lord Mayor's chosen charities are now on display at the Navan Centre & Fort in Armagh.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary O'Dowd, expressed appreciation to the team at the Navan Centre & Fort for supporting her chosen charities: PIPS Hope and Support and Parkinson's UK Armagh Support Group.

Every donation, regardless of size, is welcomed.

Information about the Lord Mayor's chosen charities, upcoming fundraising events, or how to make a donation is available by contacting the Lord Mayor's Office at 0330 0561 030.

In a separate initiative, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council became the first local authority to provide safeTALK suicide alertness training for elected members and council staff.

The training session, hosted by Councillor O'Dowd in partnership with PIPS Hope and Support, took place earlier this week at Craigavon Civic Centre. Attendees included elected members, the council's Interim Chief Executive Charlene Stoops, and staff.

The safeTALK programme teaches participants the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe. The workshop aimed to equip attendees with the skills and confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling with thoughts of suicide and to connect them with appropriate support.

Seamus McCabe, founder and chief executive of PIPS Hope and Support, delivered the training. He said the workshop focused on recognising signs that someone may be thinking about suicide, having the confidence to ask directly about suicide, and knowing how to connect that person with appropriate support.

Councillor O'Dowd said that every life lost to suicide is one too many, and that elected members and council staff have an important role in supporting the people they serve and recognising when someone may need help during difficult times. She said that although they are not mental health professionals, they can help make a difference by recognising signs, engaging in supportive conversations, and guiding people towards help.

The safeTALK programme is recognised by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. More information about PIPS Hope and Support and safeTALK is available at pipshopeandsupport.org.