Charity reports 25% rise in calls to suicide helpline at start of Covid third wave

Roni Coomey and Sinéad Crowley, secretary, Clonakilty Darkness Into Light, at Astna Square in the West Cork town ahead of this year's event. Picture: Andy Gibson.

The number of calls and texts to Pieta House’s helpline related to suicide, self-harm, and bereavement rose by 25% at the beginning of the third wave of Covid-19, when compared to the same period 12 months earlier.

The suicide awareness charity also believes the pandemic burden will have “far-reaching implications” throughout 2021.