Drink price hike urged to stem suicides

THE head of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) has called for a substantial hike in the price of alcohol to help stem the rise of suicides.

In his opening address to the annual conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology (IAS), Dr John Owens, MHC chairperson, said there was a clear link between alcohol and suicide. Consumption of alcohol was also linked with mood swings, he said.

"There is a substantial case for an increase in the price of alcohol. Drinking is directly associated with suicide, not just because of the social disruption but also because of unemployment and the breakup of relationships.