Suicide research funds cut as deaths rise

THE Government has almost halved its spending on suicide prevention and research programmes from €1.11 million to €655,000.

This is despite the fact there were 451 suicide deaths registered in 2002, an increase on the figures in the previous year.

Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in Europe among men aged 25-34 years and a recent survey found 55% of young people know of a peer who has attempted or died by suicide.