A national suicide charity has recorded a major jump in the number of texts it is receiving, particularly from young men.

According to Console, in the first six months of this year, 3,914 people texted its helpline compared to 2,617 during the same period last year. That is an increase of 49%.

Furthermore, 62% of texts being received by the service are from males, which Console believes is a ‘breakthrough in suicide prevention'.

"Men are four times more likely to take their own lives, but up to this point, no-one has been able to reach them in numbers. For example, 61% of the steadily increasing 3,400 monthly calls to our helpline come from females, almost a direct reversal of the text statistics.

"However, most of the 49% increase in text use comes from young men who are using their mobiles as a way of opening initial communication with Console's services," explained the charity's founder and CEO, Paul Kelly.

He said that the text service has experienced a ‘large rise' in young men making contact, some of whom are feeling suicidal, some who have already attempted suicide and some who are deliberately self-harming.

"Some texters may be about to take their own lives or at the stage of having it planned down to the fine details with a firm intent on following through with it. When people are experiencing this level of crisis, they sometimes find it easier to type than to talk. Our highly-trained and professional counsellors engage with them, and establish a rapport that can be transferred to verbal communication in many cases," Mr Kelly noted.

Commenting on the text service, mental health expert, Enda Murphy, pointed out that Console is ‘meeting young men where they are and not where we insist they should be'.

"Console are communicating to young men in their way and not insisting that they learn and communicate in our way. I believe that they have found the road to the future," he said.

Meanwhile, the charity revealed that there has also been an increase in the number of young people who are calling the helpline because they are worried about the welfare of a friend who may be suicidal.

"Third party calls about both teenagers and adults are becoming more of a feature of our work and mark a change in attitude toward suicide in Ireland, with people realising that there is help and hope available for those who may be in crisis. We have also recorded a notable increase in the numbers of calls from those bereaved through suicide, again especially amongst teens," Mr Kelly said.

He also noted that for the first time, Console is ‘seeing the phenomenon of a number of unrelated people phoning about the one suicide'.

"We feel that this is down to more awareness of Console's services, thanks to traditional and social media, and an increase in awareness of the effects of suicide bereavement on individuals," he said.

Console offers a 24-hour helpline - call freephone at 1800 247 247. You can also text HELP to 51444.

The charity also has counselling centres in Dublin, Kildare, Athlone, Mayo, Galway, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Wexford and London in the UK, while liaison services are available in Clare, Tipperary, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

For more information on the charity, click here