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SUICIDES IN NORTHERN IRELAND
I like many other people used to be shocked at the rate of suicides in Northern Ireland and especially in North and West Belfast, which have the highest rates in Europe, however I never before believed that I would ever be touched by such a tragedy as it is often put down to drugs and/or paramilitary intimidation and no-one I knew would be in that type of situation, therefore would have no real reson to commit suicide (not that there could ever be a reason worthy of taking your own life). I was later to learn that my optomism was simply naivity when one of the seemingly happiest people I knew took his own life.
After the death of my best friend on Halloween night 2003 I became overcome with grief and guilt, Anto was a dear friend of mine, I felt that I had let him down and I felt frustrated that he could not have spoken about how he felt. It was then that I asked myself these questions.
Why are our younger generations killing themselves?
Is there anything we can do to help?
Are young people afraid to talk to us?
Could the internet be a better medium for those who need to talk due to its impersonal nature?
Whatever the answers are, the least that we can do is try!
If you need to talk and you are afraid to talk to someone face to face or even over the phone why not type it out and start to let some of the suffering out so that it can be shared.
You can email me or contact the samaritans.
Samaritans offers 24 hour confidential emotional support to people
in emotional distress including those who have suicidal feelings. To
find out more or to make a donation please visit: www.samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org.uk
Send E-Mail to: cunningham-p4@ulster.ac.uk
Copyright © 2005 Patrick Cunningham. All Rights Reserved