Suicide prevention signs erected

It’s expected that more suicide prevention signs will be erected across Cork city and county in the next six to 12 months.

It comes after seven such signs were put up by the Samaritans and the HSE in Cork city centre recently with hopes that it will lead to people popping the number for the Samaritans helpline into their phone.

Martin Ryan, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with the HSE, spoke to the Cork Independent yesterday about the signs saying that it was “important” that they went up at this time of year.

He added: “Being there now with the increased amount of footfall in the city means their exposure is heightened. I’m hoping everyone who see the signs will take down the number and save it in their phones. They might not need it. However, they could know someone who might need to talk in the near future and they will have the number for the Samaritans to give them.”

Mr Ryan worked alongside the suicide prevention charity and with other agencies to get the signs up, adding that the plan was the pipeline for awhile.

“We hope to have more signs up in Cork city and county in the next six months to a year. We won’t be putting up hundreds of signs as I think that the more something is there, the more you don’t see it; it becomes the norm and people won't take notice of it.”

As for the design of the sign, Mr Ryan said that they didn’t want them to look too political and went for a number which is easy to remember and a few words telling people that the charity is there to listen and and help.

Speaking about Christmas time, he said: “There’s a general narrative of happiness around at this time of year but for a small cohort there’s a feeling of isolation and loneliness. These signs are there to remind people that the Samaritans is there to talk. They will be available to talk 24 hours a day over Christmas. I cannot commend the Samaritans for the work they do.”

He said there is still a stigma around suicide but more people are coming forward and asking for help. He added: “It takes enormous courage to say ‘I need help’ but more people are looking for it. Yourmentalhealth.ie’s traffic has doubled in the past five years.”

Meanwhile Pieta House, a suicide prevention service, is predicting a spike in the number of calls and texts to its helpline service over December and January due to the pressures brought on by the Christmas period and has called on the public to keep a closer eye on friends and family this year.

If you need to talk, the Samaritans can be contacted at 116123 and Pieta House on 1800-247247.