Ireland

Housing fears making more people feel suicidal, charity warns

Console's Paul Kelly described some of the calls as "harrowing"
Console's Paul Kelly described some of the calls as "harrowing" Console's Paul Kelly described some of the calls as "harrowing"

HOMELESSNESS and concerns over housing in the Republic are leading to more people contemplating suicide, the founder of a charity has warned.

Paul Kelly, chief executive of suicide prevention charity Console, said that in the last six months they have had an increased number of calls about housing.

"We are seeing ever-increasing amounts of people in pre or post-repossession crisis at high risk of taking their own lives," he said.

"Callers in this area tend to be those who have lost their homes, those in high mortgage arrears, those facing foreclosure and those struggling to deal with high rents that they cannot afford.

"We are dealing with calls from people from all walks of life, who have been unexpectedly thrown into a financial black hole that they can't find a way out of."

Mr Kelly said Console's free 24-hour helpline receives around 3,400 calls a month.

"There is no doubt that the housing crisis is having a detrimental impact on people's self worth and on their mental health and wellbeing," he said.

"We are receiving what I can only describe as harrowing calls from distraught people who have lost their homes, are living in hotels.

"Their children are travelling for hours every morning to school, they have no facilities to cook, their family life is uncertain from day to day, and many say that they simply can't take any more.

"In essence, we have to ask ourselves how big a price we are willing to pay for a situation that is now costing lives."