The number of suicides in Ireland appears to have dropped in the latest figures for 2010.

While this is to be welcomed, there are still around 500 people taking their own lives every year, so it’s clear that more needs to be done.

Today is world suicide prevention day, and Paul Kelly of Console spoke with Pat about his own story, and what more needs to be done help our children deal with grief and bouts of great sadness.

Paul founded Console after his younger sister took her life aged 21.

They offer a 24 hour helpline for people bereaved through suicide, there’s also a suicide prevention helpline staffed by professional counsellors and therapists for people who are suicidal or have loved ones who are talking about suicide. They held a conference on Monday ahead world suicide prevention day (which is today, Tuesday 10 Sept). Paul told Pat about his own experiences, what console does, preventing suicide, and the idea that we need to prepare our children for failure.

Listen back to the full interview here: