Shannon’s Hopeline was established by two sisters, Sandra and Lisa Kelleher in memory of Sandra’s daughter, who tragically passed away by suicide on the 24th of January 2012, at the tender age of 13. Shannon’s suicide came as a profound shock to her family and the entire community. There were no prior indications or mentions of suicidal thoughts from Shannon, and the signs of such ideation went unnoticed.

Shannon was described as a compassionate and sensitive young girl with a vibrant sense of humor. She harbored a deep passion for children, art, comedy, and music, often expressing aspirations of becoming an actress in the future.

Though Shannon experienced bullying, primarily of a psychological nature rather than physical, she maintained a circle of friends. The impact of name-calling, whispers, and feelings of exclusion weighed heavily on her. While the bullying appeared to have ceased in the last six months of her life, its psychological toll lingered. The true cause of Shannon’s suicide remains unknown to this day.

Following Shannon’s passing, her parent found themselves grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of guilt for not recognizing her pain. This led to extensive research in an attempt to understand the factors contributing to Shannon’s tragedy. The findings were alarming.

In 2012, Ireland had the highest suicide rate among teenage girls in the EU, with the rate among young Irish males ranking second-highest, as reported by the Irish Examiner.

The research also highlighted the inadequacy of available support services, characterized by lengthy waiting lists spanning months, and the pervasive stigma surrounding discussions about suicide. This stigma, rooted in fear of judgment and institutionalization, compelled action.

As of 2018, Ireland still grapples with the fourth-highest suicide rate. This disturbing trend underscored the urgent need for intervention and awareness. The lack of public discourse on the severity of suicide among teens was concerning, prompting a commitment to education and destigmatization efforts.

Transforming Shannon’s memory into a catalyst for positive change became a driving force. It was imperative to raise awareness about the dire reality of youth suicide in Ireland and to advocate for better support systems.