Munster’s O’Driscoll urges young men to discuss their problems

Munster rugby player Mick O’Driscoll has urged young men to talk about their problems rather than keeping things bottled up inside.

He urged people not to view suicide as a way out.

Mr O’Driscoll, who is a director of the voluntary organisation Suicide Aware, described suicide as a “massive problem” in Ireland with 527 recorded suicides in 2009 and 486 recorded suicides in 2010, but many believe the figures to be much higher.

“In reality it’s a lot more than that. We don’t believe they are the full and accurate figures. If you speak to coroners, they will only record a death as suicide if it’s 100% sure it was a suicide,” said Mr O’Driscoll, who was speaking at an event at University College Cork to raise awareness about youth suicide.

Mr O’Driscoll said everybody in the room would be affected by depression or suicide at some point in their lives and it was crucial to speak openly about it.

He said that in particular young men need to talk about their problems.

“We have this macho image. We can’t be seen to be crying or down. Everything within us wants us to hold it inside, but that’s the worst thing you can do,” said Mr O’Driscoll.

“Guys are just going to bottle it up and hope the problem will go away ... that’s not going to happen.”

“You’ve got to speak about it, talk about it. Especially the men in the room, I’d say, don’t hold back,” the player said.

“Talk about your problems. Be open about your problems and I don’t think suicide will be such a big thing in this country.”

“Suicide is not a way out.”

Mr O’ Driscoll said that at Suicide Aware they receive emails on a daily basis from people looking for help.

“A lot of these people. . . are very successful. . . who seem to have it all on the outside, but on the inside are facing massive turmoil.”

“The big thing is that all issues are solvable, no matter how big or small,” he said.

Mr O’Driscoll said depression and suicide can affect “everybody and anybody” and that sports personalities were no different.