Listen — lend us your ears to prevent suicide

KARL Buckley was only eight when his uncle Bernard committed suicide by throwing himself off a bridge. The shock left his family traumatised.

Ten years on, the young Finglas man is involved in a campaign to highlight support for those coping with depression.

“It’s about stopping people trying to kill themselves,” he said yesterday.

The 18-year-old was speaking at the launch of a suicide awareness week in the Dublin West suburb of Finglas, where 20 suicides were recorded between 2005 and April 2007, many of young men.

Pictures of ears have been plastered across bus stops, offices and shops as part of the campaign called Listen, which hopes to highlight the issue as well as provide information, advice and services to locals.

Launched by Dublin Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson yesterday, the week-long initiative will include a commemorative walk, coffee morning, theatre production, seminar and concert.

Finglas local John Kavanagh, aged 18, who has lost friends through suicide said it was important to speak to a friend or relative who looked depressed.

Project coordinator with the Finglas Youth Resource Centre Elaine Bruton said young people had designed the campaign.

“They chose the idea about the ears, so people will listen. They wanted the community to hear them.”

The launch comes after several recent horrific suicides shocked the nation. The funerals took place of mother and child Catriona and Katelyn Innes in Bundoran, Donegal at the weekend. The 26-year-old secretary was found hanged in her hallway, while it is believed her seven-year-old daughter was suffocated.

Up to 200 people from all walks of life have had their ears photographed for the campaign, including firefighters, solicitors and local politicians. The pictures are displayed in public areas without information, meaning locals must inform one another — helping to spread awareness.

Campaigners say anyone feeling depressed or contemplating taking their own life can contact the Finglas Suicide Network on 01-8642595 or the Samaritans on 1850 60 90 90 or email [e-mail]

* www.samaritans.org