PEOPLE WHO use internet search engine Google to find information about suicide are being guided to the Samaritans helpline in Ireland.
The service is designed to help vulnerable people, who may be in distress and at risk of taking their own lives, to easily access emotional support.
A red telephone icon appears prominently at the top of the Google search results list with the text “Need help? In Ireland, call 1850 60 90 90 Samaritans”.
A similar suicide helpline initiative was launched by Google in the US and Britain last year.
Suzanne Costello, director of the Samaritans in Ireland, welcomed the move. “Since the advent of the internet, people are able to access vast amounts of information about any subject they wish, including suicide. Much material online is helpful, but some of it can be dangerous too. So, it is really important people are made aware of the help and support they can get from Samaritans, 24 hours a day, if they’re struggling to cope,” she said.
At least 486 people took their own lives last year, according to official figures published by the Central Statistics Office. However, the real figure is thought to be higher as many deaths are recorded as “deaths linked to undetermined intent”, which may have been suicides, say experts.
John Herlihy, vice-president of advertising operations and head of Google in Ireland, said the internet was the number one source for information: “We hope that by adding a highly visible link on searches relating to suicide, Google can help to guide those who are vulnerable.”