As Leaving Cert results are released, Angela Kerinsreminds young people that help is available if they need to talk.
Modern life has its stresses no matter what age you are, but this week the focus will be on our young people and the stresses associated with the results of their Leaving Certificate.
Media outlets will concentrate on the myriad of options facing those who plan to start third level. The class of 2007 will be bombarded with information on how to get through their first year of college, what to do and what not to do. However, it is vital that a further message gets out - if you are confused, sad, lonely, just want to talk things over with someone or need specific help, please ask for it.
However, identifying who you can talk to is not always that simple. Reaching out, for young people, is always a challenge. Fears of the perceptions of others can run high and act as a deterrent to seeking assistance. And for many this is only the beginning of adult life with all its associated issues of relationships, break-ups, friendships, coping with studying, exams and working - all rites of passage that everyone experiences and that help to shape the people we become. For some, these bring intense pressures without any clear idea of where to turn for support.
Young people must feel that it is OK to seek support, help and advice on any issue that is troubling them and crucially, they must know where to go. In 2006, in response to the increase of suicide among young people, Rehab became involved in the development of suicide prevention services. Rehab has now teamed up with 25 different providers of support or information helplines, so that from tomorrow a single text of the keyword "headsup" to the number 50424 will instantly send to a mobile phone, a list of topics that the user can get further information on such as stress, relationships, mental health, alcohol, drugs, financial problems etc. The user chooses a topic and receives a list of confidential anonymous helpline numbers of people who are expert in their field and who are a non-judgmental source of support and guidance.
There are good student support services in third-level colleges that play a vital role. However, new technologies offer great possibilities.
Some people will be happier taking the first step to support by using their mobile phone and Rehab's service offers them a flexible 24-hour way of doing this. Initial pilot research conducted by Rehab has indicated that 90 per cent of the young people surveyed saw the need to provide support information by text, particularly at a stressful time.
However, the message needs to get out beyond this week, not only to those taking up new college places, but also to those who are facing other stressful situations such as uncertainty or going straight into the workforce. Seeking help must be seen as a normal, acceptable thing to do, and making it easy and OK to do so is vital.
A total of 409 people died by suicide in 2006, and nearly 100 of them were aged between 15 and 24. These suicide rates tell us that the supports available aren't always sufficient to stop tragedy from occurring. However progress is being made with the co-ordinated efforts by the National Office for Suicide Prevention.
But back to the Leaving Cert results. Commentators have always been good at identifying the exact rise and fall in points and the celebrations of young people. We must also give attention to those who are troubled and communicate to them that the smart thing to do is to speak to somebody, pick up the phone or send a text as someone will always be there to help.
Angela Kerins is chief executive of Rehab Group