IN THE past two years, increasing numbers of people have started to see suicide as a viable solution to problems, the founder of a suicide prevention organisation has said.
According to Paul Kelly of Console, “a deep shift” has occurred and the “intense focus” on suicide by the media in recent years “conditions some to think of it as a viable option and a solution”.
Although he said public discussion of the issue was a broadly positive development, he warned against sensationalising or romanticising suicide in the media because young people were “very vulnerable and impressionable.”
Mr Kelly added that people who might contemplate suicide needed to be made aware there were other options available. “There is support there for them . . . They need to know that they are going to be supported . . . and that suicide is not a viable option.”
Helplines: Samaritans ( samaritans.org), 1850-609090 (Republic) or 08457-909090 (Britain/Northern Ireland);
Pieta House ( pieta.ie), centre for prevention of self-harm or suicide, 01-601 0000;
Console ( console.ie), a charity for the bereaved, free helpline at 1800-201890; and
Aware ( aware.ie), helping people with depression, at 1890-303302.
