Acknowledging suicide - Time taboo was no more

THERE can be few events that challenge a parent, a spouse or a family like the suicide of a loved one. It is always a life-defining, earth-shattering tragedy.

So great is the hurt involved, and far too often the sense of helplessness and guilt, that it is not always easy to discuss the reasons behind so many of the tragedies.

Silence may offer comfort but it will not provide a solution to the epidemic of suicide that is prematurely taking so many lives in our society.

Console is an organisation that provides counselling for those mourning a loved one who took their own life. Yesterday, they launched their Snowdrop campaign to fund their work and to try to end the taboo surrounding this most destructive but common tragedy. After all, being heartbroken does not mean we should deny reality and make a solution even more remote.