Suicide in Ireland is now at an all-time high and with organizations such as The Samaritans recording a higher number of calls and texts from people around Ireland it is clear that the current economic climate has had a negative effect on the mental health of the country.
As a psychologist and former Samaritans volunteer I have worked with and talked to those on the brink of suicide and depression. Some can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It can be a very dark and scary place to be in, but the first thing anyone should do is to reach out.
The one thing I have noticed in my years of work is that everyone is the same, no matter what you think about how bad your own life is and how good you think the lives of others are, I can tell you as a mental health professional that everyone gets down from time to time. They may not show it in public but then again most people prefer to hide their distress from friends, family and co-workers.
The good news is that there is a lot you can do if you feel stressed, anxious, depressed or suicidal. There are a wide variety of organisations such as The Samaritans, Aware and Pieta House, who offer free services to anyone who phones their services. If you are felling suicidal you will find their staff and volunteers a great source of comfort in your darkest hour.
Your next port of call should be your local GP. He can assess you and then refer you, if needs be a mental health professional. These come in many forms, from councillors, psychologists, hypnotherapists and psychiatrists. Your GP may recommend some medication to help you deal with your feelings.
Jason O’Callaghan is a Psychologist and Hypnotherapist at the D4 Clinic www.D4Clinic.ie
By Jason O’Callaghan
