More investment is needed in mental health support services, according to suicide awareness campaigners who held a demonstration in Dublin today.
Among them were families who have recently lost loved ones to suicide.
The organisers said people must be encouraged to reach out for the help that is available but warned some voluntary helplines are struggling to provide a service.
Luke Clerkin, one of the organisers behind today's rally and a volunteer with the Teenline phone service said: "we want to let the Government know that we cannot take any more mental health cuts in the upcoming Budget.
"We want to let people know, people who are suffering, and people who have lost someone to suicide that they're not alone, that there is someone out there to talk to".
Speaking of the Teenline phone service for young adults in distress, he said calls so far this year had exceeded 14,000, while the service was only open 20 hours a week.
He said with increased investment they could operate on a 24-hour basis.
Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis said Minister for Health Leo Varadkar had to be told the mental health sector and suicide prevention could not afford any more cuts.
He said Ireland was facing a "very serious problem" in relation to mental health, and that support services needed to be available on a 24/7 basis throughout the year.
He expressed concern about the number of young people "mainly males" dying by suicide.
"Unfortunately at weekends we don't have a service in the Dublin area, and I think it's scandalous. Because, it doesn't stop after 6pm.
“We need to have those services right around the clock" he said.
If you have been affected by any issues in this report, help is available on Teenline at 1800 833 634 - and the Samaritans on 116 123.
