A NEW 24-hour suicide prevention helpline staffed by counsellors and volunteers has been launched to help reduce the number of people taking their own lives.
The “1Life” helpline (1800-24 7 100) offers confidential advice and support for people in need of help. It is a joint venture by two existing charities, the 3Ts (Turn the Tide of Suicide) and Console. In addition to people considering suicide, the founders say it is aimed at those feeling very low, who are self-harming or who need counselling.
Official figures indicate that society is making progress in tackling suicide. The number in the Republic who took their own lives fell from 460 to 424 last year, a 16-year low. However, we still have the fourth-highest suicide rate among young people across the EU. In addition, hospital AE units dealt with 11,700 cases of self-harm last year, including a significant increase among men.
Prof Kevin Malone, co-founder of the 3Ts and head of St Vincent’s University Hospital’s department of mental health research, said the helpline was a vital avenue of help.
“Research shows that 80 per cent of those who die by suicide have indicated their intentions to someone in the preceding weeks, so whether planned or impulsive, there is a window of opportunity for assistance,” he said.
Paul Kelly, founder of Console, said “We urge anyone who is in crisis and feeling overwhelmed to call 1Life at any time.”
Noel Smyth, founder of The 3Ts, said, “This service has been established with the aim of preventing suicide . . .”