Alison (not her real name) attempted suicide shortly before her 21st birthday.
Having recovered, she has an insight into why her generation is at risk of suicide.
"There's a certain social pressure to be successful on every level. People are disoriented about where they belong and don't know their identity. Friends and lifestyle are important and you need to feel part of something, but if you are in any way "different" it's hard to fit in.
It's more than loneliness - you feel there's a pane of glass between you and other people. It's not self-pity; you feel you are not good enough, can never be an asset to anyone and will always be a burden. I was a perfectionist, so getting 9 As in the Leaving Cert was never good enough - it had to be 10 As. I also suffered from an eating disorder. Society's reaction to me was either 'she's so difficult to deal with, let's not invite her again' or 'don't give your problems to me'.
With the help of psychotherapy, I've learned coping skills and I'm very well now. I can dare to be average."
