Frustrated suicide support groups set up 24-hour helpline

VOLUNTARY suicide support groups frustrated at the Government’s slow response to Ireland’s suicide crisis have joined forces to launch their own national 24-hour helpline.

The groups from Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Limerick also criticised a decision to pay former US President Bill Clinton a rumoured €100,000 to address a RehabCare gala event later this month to raise money for a proposed national suicide prevention programme.

“Any initiative that contributes to the prevention of suicide is very welcome,” said Pat Buckley, spokesman for the suicide support groups.

“But the money it will cost for Bill Clinton to make this keynote speech would fund a lot of counselling for the bereaved and those at risk of suicide in places like Cork, Limerick or Kerry.

“Or it could sustain paid posts to co-ordinate and support the voluntary activities of groups North and South, something that Government and Statutory Agencies seem to have difficulty seeing as a priority.”

The number of people who die by suicide has increased by 400% over the past 15 years. Some 444 people died by suicide in 2003. Four out of five were men aged 15 to 24. There were 8,000 attempted suicides last year.

The decision to set up the national helpline follows a meeting in April of suicide support groups organised by Dublin-based Teen-Line Ireland.

It was attended by members of Rosbrien Suicide Awareness, Limerick, Suicide Or Survive in Dublin, the Pips Project in Belfast and Ballinahinch, the Let’s Get Together Foundation, Midleton, Co Cork, and STOP in Leitrim.

The umbrella group, the National Association of All Ireland Suicide Prevention (ASP), was formed to co-ordinate their activities.

“Five people were killed in road accidents in the last few days and that’s getting all the notice,” Mr Buckley said. “But seven people have died by suicide in the last week and no one is talking about that.

He encouraged other voluntary suicide support groups around the country to contact ASP ahead of their next meeting in Dublin on June 6.

Contact Eithne Dunne on 085-7417 934 or Maureen 085-7416 019 or email:

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