No words will ease the pain

Pieta House campaign against suicide is saving lives; and helping affected people to stay alive.

Published condolence messages provide proof of people’s deep feelings about suicide. There are no answers to the question ‘Why?’. There are no words to ease the pain. The stigma attaching to anxiety and depression is the source of the problem. Being unable to talk about their inner torture may cause sufferers to end their own lives.

Suicide inflicts unending grief on bereaved loved-ones.There are no words to heal the hearts of parents, siblings and extended families.

I appeal to those experiencing anxiety and depression to talk to trusted friends. Reach out for help. No family should have to bear the loss and pain of losing you.

Condolence messages speak volumes - (the following paraphrased): “Nobody knows what anybody else is going through, so please, if you are hurting or just finding life a struggle please reach-out for help. Equally if you think someone is having a hard time don’t be afraid to ask “are you ok”. Please take care of each other, and look-out for others.” - A mother’s message.

The horror of suicide is sweeping away huge numbers of young people. We must talk about it.

We must all join in the battle against suicide by listening to the anxieties of our family and friends and encouraging them to seek help.

Anxious or depressed persons are frequently not listened to and therefore shy away from expressing their true feelings to family and friends. Silence is a friend of suicide.

Please do not be afraid to listen. Listening is the greatest help we can afford to our friends. I sincerely thank the friends who listened to my experiences and as a result, helped me enormously.

The next step is to encourage distressed persons to seek help from health professionals. Speaking out bestows strength and will secure help.

Please support Pieta House’s Darkness Into Light walk.

Yours sincerely, Denis P O’Dwyer, Flemingstown, Mitchelstown.