This article contains references to suicide.

A group that patrols the banks of the River Shannon has stressed the importance of intervention if a person is at risk of harming themselves.

Over the past five years, Limerick City has had the highest rate of suicide in the country.

One group determined to make a difference is the Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention, which patrols banks of the River Shannon for people who may be at risk of suicide.

Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention ambassador Lee Reeves told Moncrieff that the patrol sees people attempting to take their own life on a weekly basis.

"Unfortunately, especially around Christmas-time and now even more so coming into the New Year, it's happening weekly," Mr Reeves said.

Training

Members of the Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention team are trained in suicide-prevention.

"There'd be a lot of tell-signs but we approach everybody with a smile and a 'how are you?' and you kind of see the feedback you can get from that," Mr Reeves said.

"People could be very distant, or some people could be out on a walk and don’t want to talk to anybody.

 "That's where our training comes in - how to approach people and how to ask the right questions when you're dealing with people so close to the riverside that could be in distress."

Mr Reeves said if their team suspects a person may be suicidal, they ask them directly.

"The main thing is to stopping them at that moment from making a drastic decision that is a permanent solution to a temporary problem," he said.

Limerick's suicide rate

Mr Reeves believes a number of factors are behind Limerick's high suicide rate.

"When we're talking to people - it's family issues but where does that stem from?" he said.

"If you ask me, a massive part of it is the housing crisis - everybody is couch-surfing or struggling to get their own place, they're feeling like they don't have a chance at life because they can't get the house beneath them."

If you need help or support with thoughts of suicide, self-harm, depression or anxiety, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123, Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services on 112 or 999.

Feature image shows Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention on a bridge over the River Shannon, via Facebook.