Pat's Answer

Hi there and welcome.

Thank you for reaching out to us. You have questions around what course of action to take if you know a young person is suicidal.

It is understandable that you may be very concerned if someone you know wants to take their life. Sometimes we can feel helpless in that situation.

All young people in Ireland have a right to be safe and supported with their mental health. You can contact 999 or 112 if a young person is in danger, has harmed themself or is trying to take their life. Adults have a responsibility of care to the young people in their life, to listen and support them. When feeling suicidal, children and young people have the right to talk to an adult to get this help and support. If it is not possible for them to talk to their parents/guardians, maybe it is a teacher, friend’s parent or relative who they trust to contact instead.

To get professional help, a young person has the right to chat to their family doctor to find local supports available. Pieta House are one organisation who provide support for young people going through suicidal ideation and self-harm www.pieta.ie/contact/ . www.jigsaw.ie is another website where you might find some help and direction. There is some material on the Childline website around suicide also. Here is one article that may be beneficial to you www.childline.ie/suicide/ .

The Childline services are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for young people 18 years and younger. We can be contacted by phone 1800 66 66 66, by text 50101, or by web chat through www.childline.ie All Childline services are free, confidential, and non-judgmental. We give young people the space they need to talk about whatever is on their mind, be it big or small.

We thank you so much for getting in touch with us here. Hopefully, this is of some help.

Take Care,

Pat