Madam, - As I read your Weekend Review last Saturday I noticed the word "commit" used in relation to suicide in two instances; Lara Marlowe's article on page 4, and the caption to the picture on page 7.
Suicide has been decriminalised in Ireland, and it is no longer appropriate to use the word "commit" in this context as it confers the negative connotations of criminality on the tragedy of mental illness.
The level of stigma around suicide and mental illness remains unacceptably high, and the language we use plays a part in perpetrating much misunderstanding. While I appreciate that terminology is often habitual, our words convey our attitude and therefore must be chosen with care and responsibility. - Yours, etc,
GERALDINE CLARE, CEO, Aware, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.