A World Suicide Prevention Day Candlelight Vigil will be held in Market Square, Letterkenny on Monday night from 9pm until 10pm.

Irish charity, 3TS (Turn The Tide of Suicide) announced plans this week to take its suicide prevention message to Donegal for the first time.

The event, which is open to the public, will be marked with a minute's silence to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide in this country.

Donal Kavanagh of Highland radio will MC the event which has been described by the organisers as an occasion of "solemn remembrance and respect".

The mayor Jean Crossan will light the first candle and will join speakers, Geraldine Clare CEO of Aware and Ian Howley of www.SpunOut.ie

Speaking at the announcement, 3TS spokesperson Joe MacAvin said times have changed since they held their first 3TS Candlelight Vigil in Dublin back in 2004.

"At that time the actual extent of the problem of suicide was not known to the wider community. Three years on, suicide and its prevention have been given an increasing amount of attention. Nevertheless the problem sadly appears to be escalating. With latest research citing approximately 600 deaths each year attributed to suicide, it is the leading cause of death in young people in this country," Mr McAvin said.

He added that he hoped, by taking the World Suicide Prevention Day Candlelight Vigils nationwide, The 3Ts will illustrate that suicide is an issue that concerns everyone in this country from the Government and Health Service Executive, the private and voluntary sectors, down through to local communities.

"We invite everyone to come along and show their support."

Those interested in finding out more about the 3TS World Suicide Prevention Day Candlelight Vigils, should log on to www.3ts.ie or phone 01-2139905.