Candlelight vigil for suicide remembrance

On September 10, Ireland will join a global initiative to mark World Suicide Prevention Day with a public candlelight vigil, hosted by the Irish charity organisation 3TS (Turning The Tide of Suicide).

The vigil will take place in the forecourt of the Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin.

The occasion will be marked by a candle ceremony, a minute’s silence and music from The Dublin Welsh Choir.

GAA president Sean Kelly will be amongst those taking part in the vigil and will light the first candle on behalf of the young people of Ireland.

The vigil will also receive a message of support from President Mary McAleese.

Professor Kevin Malone of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research at St Vincent’s Hospital said: “The vigil will be a solemn occasion of respect and remembrance.

“This is an opportunity for all those in our communities across Ireland who have been touched by suicide to come and light a candle of remembrance in silent vigil, and to lend support to the 3TS awareness campaign for action, intervention and prevention at all levels of our society.

“If we are to turn the tide of suicide in this country, then it is critical that people realise that suicide in Ireland isn’t someone else’s problem.

"It is everyone’s problem."