Sir, – We know from studies that suicide arises from the need to escape deep psychological pain and that death through suicide is seen as the only way of getting rid of this pain. Paul Kelly (Opinion, March 25th)makes the point that "if people do not see talking about their problems as an option, the door is always going to be ajar for the worst of options". But the big question is: how do we get suicidal people to share their pain and reach out for help?
From my own experience of being bereaved by suicide and speaking to other bereaved families, the suicide usually comes as a complete and unbelievable shock! The pain was never shared. – Yours, etc,
MARY RYAN,
Auburn Drive,
Killiney, Co Dublin.