By Eilish O’regan

Copyright independent

Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity, said it is seeing growing demand for support from younger people in Ireland.

“More than half of Pieta’s clients are now aged under 25, with over one in three under 18. Among the under-18s coming to Pieta, 84pc are experiencing suicidal thoughts and 70pc are struggling with self-harm.

“While these figures highlight the seriousness of the issue, they also show that young people are reaching out for help, and Pieta is here to support them through crisis and help them regain hope.”

Pieta provides free therapy to people in suicidal crisis, those engaging in self-harm, and anyone bereaved by suicide.

“Between 2017 and 2024, Pieta recorded a 24pc increase in under-18 clients presenting with self-harm. Within this group, the rise was most pronounced among younger teenagers: a 69pc increase at age 12, 51pc at age 13, and 75pc at age 14. Self-harm is the strongest known risk factor for suicide,” said a spokeswoman.

The figures come on World Suicide Prevention Day today. Around 500 people die by suicide in Ireland annually.

Pieta has launched its No More Silence campaign, to highlight the mental health challenges facing Ireland’s young people, while also offering hope through stories of recovery, community and therapy.

The campaign calls on the public to sign Pieta’s No More Silence petition to make suicide prevention a national priority, raise awareness of Pieta’s free services, and help fund its life-saving work.

Stephanie Manahan, Chief Executive Officer at Pieta, said: “Over one in three people seeking help from our services are children.

“That is a sobering reminder of how urgently young people need suicide and self-harm prevention services – and why Pieta must be there for them.

“Last year alone, 2,433 children and teenagers came to Pieta, receiving more than 17,800 hours of free therapy. These services are free and life-saving – and they exist thanks to the generosity of the people of Ireland.

“Our No More Silence campaign is an important opportunity to reach out to people of all ages who might be thinking about suicide or self-harming, and to reassure them that it is okay to reach out and ask for help.

“This year, we are putting a particular emphasis on the children and teenagers in our society who are struggling with their mental health. We are calling on people to add their voice by signing our petition to make suicide prevention a national priority, and to help us maintain these services free for every child and young person who needs them.

“I ask anyone thinking about suicide or self-harming to contact our services, and I urge everybody to take part in No More Silence, to speak out and stand with us to make suicide prevention a priority.”

Samaritans Ireland freephone is 116 123