Teenagers’ helpline - Initiative deserving of support

NEXT month’s setting up of Ireland’s first dedicated free helpline for suicidal teenagers is to be welcomed.

In a nation ravaged by suicide, reflected in the number of young people who take their own lives every year, it is an initiative that deserves to be supported.

Founded by Dublin mother Maureen Bolger, whose teenage son Darren tragically took his own life three years ago, Teen-Line Ireland is the first service of its kind and is aimed at those too old for Childline and too young for the Samaritans.

In a marvellous community initiative, it will operate from Tallaght in Dublin and be run by volunteers and involve youth counselling organisations. As Ms Bolger observed, young people over the age of 14 are waiting for someone to talk to and someone to listen to them.