THE Samaritans will be asking Cork people to be more aware of the signs of depression on World Suicide Prevention Day, on September 10.

The Cork branch of Samaritans is holding an awareness event on Patrick Street from noon to 2pm on that date.

Samaritan volunteers will be handing out ‘Signs of Depression’ leaflets. Minister for Disability and Older People Kathleen Lynch will meet volunteers to lend her support, and local GAA players will also be in attendance.

The Samaritans receive 60,000 calls per month nationwide.

Director of Cork Samaritans Pio Fenton said: “According to the World Health Organisation, almost 3,000 people commit suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. ”By giving our Signs of Depression leaflet, we hope that people will recognise the sigsn of depression faster and urge their loved ones and colleagues to seek help.

“The service in Cork is entirely voluntary with 180 dedicated volunteers. We make sure that there is someone on the other end of the phone at every hour of the day and night.”

The Samaritans said that in recent times suicide has become easier to talk about.”We now recognise that it affects everybody. The stigma of depression has been removed. However, for those sufferers it doesn’t always make it easier to admit that they are depressed; many feel that they have nothing to offer.

“People can be embarrassed about their feelings, many think that it is a sign of weakness. As friends and family we are inclined to think that by telling them to ‘look on the bright side and see the positive’ that we are helping. ”Unfortunately what they really need is to understand that if someone feels they have a problem then they have a problem and only by doing this can we help them to solve it,” added Mr Fenton.

The Samaritans helpline is 1850 60 90 90.