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#IPledge2Talk about male suicide, says Eluned Morgan – will you too?

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Eluned Morgan AM pictured with Marc Tierney, Labour Candidate for South Pembrokeshire; Carys Jones, Trustee at The DPJ Foundation and former Welsh footballer, Neville Southall at the recent event in Cardiff Bay to launch the #IPledge2Talk campaign.

EACH year, more than 300 people die by suicide in Wales. In 2017, 278 of the 360 lives lost were male.

It’s a shocking statistic which has prompted Eluned Morgan to champion a new approach to encouraging men, especially in rural Wales to seek support.

Working with mental health charities across Mid and West Wales including The DPJ Foundation in Pembrokeshire, Eluned is focussing on building community resilience to end the stigma of poor mental health.

Data shows that men are less likely than women to seek help or to express depressive or suicidal thoughts. The causes of suicide are always desperately complex. According to Eluned Morgan, this undeniable trend in male suicide must be confronted, beginning with a move to challenge views surrounding mental health, so that it becomes a topic we can all talk about.

The #IPledge2Talk social media campaign is designed to do just that, by encouraging people to reach out and to open up about their feelings.

Championed by Assembly Member, Eluned Morgan and legendary Welsh footballer, Neville Southall, the movement endeavours to foster an openness in seeking support and to give people more confidence to intervene if they are concerned about someone being at risk.
At the heart of this drive is a pledge card, a resource developed by Mind, whose initiative came about in response to growing concerns over suicide rates.

Speaking on this important issue, Eluned Morgan AM said: “Every suicide is a tragedy. It is important to remember that there are many suicide attempts for each death. As we heard during the launch, the impact on families, friends and communities is devastating and far-reaching. But we can and must do more to prevent those deaths.

#IPledge2Talk Pledge card

The launch of the #IPledge2Talk movement is about empowering individuals to seek support and to educate the wider community that just some simple words of encouragement can go a long way in helping someone to manage their mental health crisis. Help is available, we can all make sure it is accessible to those who need it.”

Ex-Everton and Wales Football Keeper, Neville Southall said: “These pledges are fantastic. They should be on every tractor, taxi, bus and train to help make talking about mental health issues the norm. There are support services all over Wales, shining a light for those who need it. But having the confidence to seek help isn’t always easy. The #IPledge2Talk campaign is about how we can all play out part to help those who need it, to get the support they need and deserve.”

Carys Jones, who attended the event on behalf of The DPJ Foundation said: “Thank you to Eluned Morgan for highlighting the work that is being undertaken in Wales with regards to raising awareness of suicide and its causes. We at the DPJ Foundation welcome any initiative that encourages men to talk about mental health issues and it helps to have fantastic advocates like Neville Southall on-board to spread the word.”

The #IPledge2Talk campaign launched at an event in the Senedd last Monday, 1st April 2019. You can get involved by visiting the website ipledge2talk.wales and by sharing your own pledge on social media using the hash tag.

It’s up to all of us to start talking – and to keep talking.

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

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Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

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THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

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