Nearly €9 million has been set aside to fund the National Office of Suicide Prevention in 2014.

They have been outlining how they intend to use that money over the next year - including training programmes for 10,000 people in suicide prevention.

They are also providing €6 million in funding to statutory services, and 30 organisations who provide help in communities across the country.

Next month they are launching a new helpline with the Samaritans, as well as a new online portal in the Autumn. This will provide easily accessible and accurate information.

Director of National Office of Suicide Prevention is Gerry Raleigh. He says the new number is to help simplify access to services for people.

Pictured above: Gerry Raleigh