Suicide charity Console says its new text service is a breakthrough in suicide prevention for young men.

There was a 49% increase in the number of people texting its helpline in the first half of the year.

It says 62% of texts to its 51444 line are now coming from men.

3,914 people texted the service between January and June, compared to 2,617 for the same period in 2014.

It says 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.

"Console are communicating to young men in their way and not insisting that they learn and communicate in our way," the charity says.

It says the statistics also show an increase in the number of young people calling the helpline because they are concerned about the welfare of a friend who may be in crisis.

"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", it adds.

Console CEO Paul Kelly says young men can find it difficult to talk.

Console offers counselling services and 24-hour helpline support on freephone 1800-247-247, or text HELP to 51444