Open discussion on suicide is key to making societal changes, says Pieta House CEO

Speaking during the launch of their 5-year strategy and annual report, Pieta House CEO Stephanie Manahan said they are expanding in rural areas including across her home county of Cork. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

We need to talk more openly about suicide and not be afraid of this word, Pieta House's CEO urged on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Last year, 606 bereaved families were helped through Pieta's suicide bereavement liaison service, Stephanie Manahan said, drawing a comparison between numbers of deaths by suicide and deaths on the roads.

“Suicide has only been decriminalised just over 20 years, that is a very short period of time and I think it still does hold a significant amount of stigma for people, for families, for communities,” she said.

“And I think people are fearful as well, they’re terrified if they say the word that perhaps it will precipitate something but it won’t. And I think it is so important to be able to have the conversation, to be able to discuss if somebody is having thoughts of suicide.” 

She was critical of limited funding for the National Office for Suicide Prevention, describing this as a “pittance” in comparison to funding for greyhound racing for example.

There are nearly 500 people dying every year. When do we say enough is enough? Many, many of these deaths are preventable if we are working together.

Speaking during the launch of their 5-year strategy and annual report, Ms Manahan said they are expanding in rural areas including across her home county of Cork.

Most recently a service opened in Dunmanway, using a room in the Family Resource Centre.

“We had this big centre with all our therapists located in Cork City and we all know Cork is a massive county and making those journeys is really tough, it can be a barrier,” she said.

“(Dunmanway) is not funded by the State, it is completely funded by volunteers and donations.” 

Nationally, last year, Pieta House provided 50,944 hours of free specialist intervention, answered 27,914 calls and took 75,438 texts to its 24-hour helpline. 

Services cost over €17m annually to run, and she said. “Over 85% of the funding” comes from donors and fundraising events, such as Darkness Into Light runs, which involved 109,000 people.

While it’s encouraging that more people are seeking support, our ability to maintain current levels of service is under threat without increased funding,” she warned, calling for the Government to prioritise suicide prevention.

This week marks the start of World Suicide Prevention Month, with some affected families joining Pieta House’s campaign for ‘No More Silence'.

When Laura was just nine, her mother was killed in a car crash while on holidays in Wexford, leaving Laura and her brothers devastated.

She spoke about how Conor, five at the time, struggled despite seeking help.

“In March 2016 Conor chose to end his life, and this is when we first came across Pieta and the services they provide,” she said.

She described their local service as “a safe space where people understood this type of loss”. 

• Pieta House helpline: 1800 247 247 or text 51444.