A campaign to raise awareness and funds for people bereaved by suicide was unveiled today by the Console charity.
Console was established in 2002 by people who had lost a family member through suicide. It established its Snowdrop campaign to raise funds for counselling services.
The campaign, announced today by Minister for Mental Health Jimmy Devins, also aims to reduce the stigma associated with suicide in Ireland.
Console says that Irish society has become more understanding and informed since suicide was decriminalised here.
Paul Kelly of Console said, in his experience, very few people who take their lives want to die. He added there was a long way to go in terms of letting people know there was help and encouraging them to seek help.
The Snowdrop campaign will continue until the end of April.
It is estimated that just over 400 people died through suicide in Ireland last year.