A chara, – The report by Eithne Donnellan (HEALTHplus, May 24th) that a set of agreed national standards is being drawn up for the estimated 250-300 groups working in the area of suicide prevention across the State is to be welcomed. The Irish Association of Suicide, which is organising this work, is basing it on an American model of 1976.
The fact that there are so many groups will not be easily altered and raises many questions. At the end of almost every newspaper, radio, TV report on the subject of suicide, there is a reference saying, “the Samaritans can be contacted at 1850-609090”.
Why have not more vulnerable people or groups wishing to help people at the risk of suicide, liaised or joined with the Samaritans, which was founded in Ireland in 1970 by Canon Billy Wynn? The Samaritans has 12 branches strategically placed around the State. – Yours, etc,