Remembering those we lost with a candlelight vigil

All Tallaght women and men who have passed away by suicide will be remembered with a candlelight vigil next Tuesday, September 10, on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Local organiser Luke Clerkin said “he needed to do something” after losing an old housemate to suicide, and hearing of more people passed away by suicide over the past year in town.

“It struck me. I’ve seen how families and friends are left behind with so many unanswered questions, and I felt that too,” said Luke.

“Losing someone to suicide is extremely tragic.”

With the vigil, Luke and local mental health organisations taking part in the event want to give those families and friends the opportunity to remember their loved ones and to do so among other people who understand what they’re going through.

Most of all, they want to show anybody struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts that there is another option.

“When you’re in that situation, and you have those thoughts, it’s hard to see through them,” explained Luke.

According to him, the best form of prevention is spreading as much information as possible on how to get support from mental health organisations.

“We can keep telling people they need to talk to someone, but we also have to show them who to talk to,” continued Luke.

He reminded that besides the most known national support services, local services are active in Tallaght such as Hope – Suicide Prevention Drop In Centre, NINA For Life Suicide awareness, and Walk&Talk.

The vigil will start at 8pm outside Tallaght Library, opposite the Civic Theatre.

HOPE, NINA and Walk&Talk will give a talk, and there will be music and poetry by other community groups.

The candles in memory of people who passed away by suicide will be lit at the end of the event.

“There will be candles, but people can bring their own if they like,” said Luke.

If you’re struggling with mental health, or are going through suicidal thoughts, you can call Samaritans 24/7 at 116 123, Pieta House 24/7 at 1800 247 247 or text ‘HELP’ to 51544, Aware at 1800 80 48 48, Teenline 24/7 at 1800 833 634 and Childline 24/7 at 1800 666 666, text 50101 or chat online at childline.