About 26 people committed suicide every year for the past five years, with the youngest victim aged 14 and the eldest 98. Figures provided by the police show that the largest number of victims – 120 of 131 between 2009 and 2013 – were male.

This gender gap is common in other countries and recent national data in the UK showed that men are three times more likely than women to commit suicide.

A taboo until a few years ago, awareness about suicide is increasing following a string of suicides in Britain linked to cyberbullying on the social network popular with teenagers, Ask.fm.

Last August, newspapers reported the fourth death in the UK linked to the site in a year.

That same month, Ask.fm announced it would clamp down on bullying after coming under fire from child safety campaigners.

Counselling psychologist Ingrid Grech Lanfranco warns that cyberbullying is increasing in Malta.

Figures from the police incident reporting system, show people of all ages commit suicide. The largest number of victims in the period under review was recorded in 2009.

There were 33 victims, 30 of whom were male.

Nine of the victims were in their 20s and another seven in their 30s. Three were in their 70s and one was aged 84.

Another 30 male and one female victim were reported the following year, while the number dropped to 19 (all men) in 2011.

Ten of the victims in 2010 were in their 40s and in 2011 seven were in their 50s.

The number of victims increased in 2012, with 19 men and seven women committing suicide. The youngest was 18 and the oldest, 98, both men.

Last year, there were 22 victims, all male, including a 14-year-old, and, by the end of this February, there were three male victims.

It cannot be stressed enough that although teenagers become more independent as they grow older, they still need supervision

Ms Grech Lanfranco, who is also a family therapist and head of counselling at Church organisation Cana, said that noticing whether a family member’s behaviour was actually suicidal might not be clear at the onset.

It was therefore important to check out any suspicions, she said, strongly urging families to contact their GP or seek other professional help from a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a counsellor.

Indications that a person might be contemplating suicide included being unusually withdrawn, quieter than usual and, possibly, spending more time in bed, neglecting one’s hygiene and self-care.

There could also be a change in eating patterns and lack of appetite.

Such signs might indicate depression and would warrant medical attention.

Someone contemplating suicide could also begin giving away personal belongings, particularly items that could have a special meaning and that might not otherwise have been something that the person would have easily parted with.

If a person was self-harming, such as cutting themselves, such behaviour needed to be taken seriously.

It did not mean that they would attempt or commit suicide but self-harming reflected some level of distress.

Any mention of suicide should also not be taken lightly, Ms Grech Lanfranco warned.

She noted that young people could be exposed to different forms of bullying or abuse and, in such cases, parental help and guidance was very important.

“It cannot be stressed enough that although teenagers become more independent as they grow older, they still need supervision.

“It is not advisable to leave them for long hours on their own. Being aware as parents or guardians of who their friends are, what websites they visit and who they are chatting with is a necessary part of parenting adolescents,” she said.

Aġenzija Appoġġ offers emotional help through its round-the-clock supportline 179 on various issues, including suicide, both to people contemplating suicide and to relatives, especially after a loss.

The service is operated by trained volunteers and backed by professionals.

Callers can remain anonymous unless they require further help and so need to be referred to the appropriate services.

Since the supportline is confidential and calls cannot be traced, the receiver engages the caller and builds an element of trust which, in crisis situations, such as a caller contemplating suicide, could save a life.

An Appoġġ spokesman said the statistical rate of incoming genuine phone calls related to suicide was “very minimal” compared to other distress calls. For more details, visit www.appogg.gov.mt.

A story of success

Maria* is a mother of three. Throughout her marriage and even before, her husband was emotionally abusive.

He constantly told her she was ugly, good for nothing and changed his versions of events to make her doubt things.

In time, Maria came to believe that she was useless and did not deserve to be respected. She fell into a depression.

Her husband became more verbally abusive towards her, which eventually rubbed off on their children who exerted emotional abuse on their mother.

Maria felt she had no one to turn to. Throughout the years, she isolated herself thinking she did not deserve respect and support.

At one point, she felt like giving in to her suicidal thoughts. She felt that she had no other way out of her miserable life.

She was really close to doing it when she dialled 179.

The person at the other end of the line was empathic and this gave Maria hope.

A multi-disciplinary team intervened and supported Maria. This included social work through the -- domestic violence service.

Leaving the matrimonial home, she admitted herself to an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence where she remained until she was ready to face the world.

She found the shelter reassuring and welcoming. It offered tranquillity, safety and support.

Maria was suddenly surrounded by a small community of people who listened to her, believed in her and encouraged her to talk and express herself.

Gradually, she started to rebuild herself and, before long, she was ready to take the next step.

She reached out to her children, reminding herself of her inner strength, and, yet, all the hurtful words rushed back to her head.

At times, she also felt exhausted and angry. Then came the urge to call her husband.

She told him that she was not going to accept any hurtful words and disrespect from him.

Professional support guided Maria until she was strong enough to find her own place in society, a job and a place where she could call home and feel safe.

She caught up on lost relationships, knowing she could reach out at any time to people who wished her well.

*As told to Times of Malta by Appoġġ. Name and personal details were changed to protect identities.