A survey conducted to mark the tenth anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day has shown that many people have a poor understanding of mental health issues.
The survey, conducted by St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin, shows that lack of understanding of mental health problems is fuelling stigma and preventing people from accessing support.
More than a fifth of the 300 people surveyed said they believed that those suffering from mental health problems are of below average intelligence.
The survey found that 42% of respondents felt that undergoing treatment for a mental health problem is a sign of personal failure.
It also found that 62% would discriminate against hiring someone with a history of mental illness on the grounds that they may be unreliable.
According to the World Health Organisation, on average, almost 3,000 people take their own lives every day.
For every person who takes their own life, 20 or more may attempt it.
In Ireland, 525 people took their own lives last year, up from 486 in 2010.
