Today, the 10th of September, 2012, is World Suicide Prevention Day. I have had a number of clients who have seriously considered killing themselves because they felt unable to cope with emotional issues or saw no point in living (suicide ideation). Some have thought that their partner, or the world, would be better off if they were dead. I am relieved and amazed at how easily we were able to move away from that hopeless position by talking.

Many people feel isolated, alone, with no one to share their burden - maybe feeling no one can understand. Someone may be struggling with a destructive behaviour and falsely considering themselves bad, useless or so many negative things. Someone else may be suddenly faced with an overwhelming crisis - a partner leaving, financial, loss or bereavement.

Some clients have endured the ongoing torture of bullying and felt like giving up - or have been close to someone who did.

Most of us have had thoughts of suicide at some stage in our lives - it is so easy to end up in that hopeless position - and so easy to get help if we ask.

For anyone wishing to help others I would recommend ASIST, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - run by the HSE.

I am also including a link here to the website of the IASP, the International Association for Suicide Prevention. 

For those who have been affected by the loss of a loved one through suicide, I am including a link to a very useful leaflet which also details various supports here.