Should we talk about suicide?

I am sure that the majority of people reading this newsletter have known someone who has died, a family member, friend or colleague, a neighbour or acquaintance. A loss or bereavement is likely to be a difficult journey but why is suicide so much harder?

If someone has a physical illness then we somehow feel more comfortable talking about it but what if that person is deeply troubled emotionally how do we react then?

Would you be able to sit and listen and talk to someone who was telling you that they had thought of ending it all? Not wanting to live.

What feelings would that evoke in you? Fear? Panic? Out of your depth? All these would be quite normal, the responsibility of another's life?

Perhaps, as you read this, you are able to question your own thoughts and even prejudices about suicide. Where have they come from? Is suicide the ‘easy way out’ ? A cowardly act? Suicide is still a taboo subject but why?

Perhaps because in our social psyche up until 1961 it was still a criminal act, to ’commit suicide’ (1993 in Rep. Of Ireland). Our attitudes today have been influenced through history because of different cultures and religions.

Through Sashnet we want to challenge peoples thoughts about suicide, not hide away from them but to help those that are feeling desperate know that there is someone out there who can listen and hear them. Could that person be you?