Lobby group calls for action to tackle ‘hidden’ suicide crisis

SUICIDE in rural areas has been a hidden tragedy for a long time, a conference heard yesterday.

Irish Rural Link, the lobby group for rural development, called for major research to be carried out on suicide in rural areas at its annual conference in Carrick-on Shannon, Co Leitrim.

It noted there have been a number of tragic incidents around the country in recent times including the deaths in Wexford this week of a mother who drowned her two daughters and killed herself.

The conference was told a total of 444 people died by suicide in Ireland during 2003, the last year for which figures are available.

A further 58 died from undetermined causes, which have a high probability of being suicide-related, bringing the figure to more than 500. More people die from suicide than are killed on the roads.

With roughly 40% of the population living in rural areas, IRL said the figure would translate into a rural suicide rate of 200 people. Many rural areas are showing high rates.

IRL chief executive Seamus Boland said suicide is a sensitive issue but it has been a hidden tragedy in rural areas for too long. “Despite the fact that we are into the 21st century, suicide still has a major stigma attached to it and this can be felt by the families and friends from small towns and villages who have lost loved ones to suicide,” Mr Boland said.

“Not only do we need to begin to look at the causes of suicide and how to tackle the high suicide rate but we also need to ensure we look at specific factors that are unique to rural Ireland.

“The role that a feeling of isolation can play in a person’s life cannot be under estimated and although people in major urban centres can also have feelings of isolation, it is a particular issue for people living in rural areas, especially remote rural areas,” he said.

Ian Russell, IRL research and communications officer, said RehabCare’s development of a national suicide prevention programme, which is being backed by the former US President, Bill Clinton, is a welcome initiative.

However, IRL urged all concerned to ensure that rural factors are looked at when developing such a worthwhile programme.

It also called for those living in remote rural areas to be paid higher social welfare benefits. Mr Boland said poverty is often seen as a phenomenon which does not exist in rural areas. However, it is clear there are people in rural areas who suffer great poverty, he said.