Each of us is more likely to know of somebody who committed suicide in the past year than one who was killed in a road accident, the broadcaster Joe Duffy said yesterday.
Mr Duffy was launching an information pack for Aware which is made up of a network of self-help groups for people suffering from depression. As many as 300,000 people in Ireland, or 7.7 per cent of the population, currently suffer from depression."With a four-fold increase in suicide rates among young males aged 15-24 over the last four years, Aware is constantly striving towards increased education and awareness about depression," according to the organisation.
Aware's medical director Dr Pat McKeon said yesterday depression makes sufferers feel ashamed - and more than 500 people a year take their lives. Aware also launched a new Locall, 24-hour helpline - 1890 303 302. The organisation is holding its annual Daisy Days fundraising event from Thursday to Saturday.