Suicide-prevention group to hold Dublin vigil

A public vigil to mark World Suicide Prevention Day is to be held in Dublin City centre this evening.

A public vigil to mark World Suicide Prevention Day is to be held in Dublin City centre this evening.

The event is being hosted by the suicide-prevention group Turning The Tide and takes place at College Green between 8pm and 9pm, to mark the prevention day which takes place tomorrow.

It will feature a candle ceremony and a minute's silence in memory of people who have taken their own lives.

President Mary McAleese has sent a personal message of support to the group, and GAA President Seán Kelly will light the first candle at the ceremony.

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Prof Kevin Malone, of the Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health Research, St Vincent's Hospital, said: "The vigil will be a solemn occasion of respect and remembrance."

He said it was important that people remember "suicide in Ireland is not someone else's problem, it is everyone's problem".

Yesterday the Government published a 10-year strategy document to reduce the incidence of suicide, which was responsible for 457 deaths last year.