Irish youths have highest suicide rate in Europe

IRISH youngsters are by far the most suicide-prone group in Europe, according to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

A European-wide survey has placed Ireland second in a league table of people under 25 who take their own lives.

Ireland has almost double the average European rate and more than three times that of Britain.

Yesterday, the USI, which represents 250,000 students, launched a nationwide campaign to highlight the tragedy of suicide among university students.

Students unveiled an emotional health awareness poster yesterday It takes a lot of bottle to really talk in conjunction with Aware, the Samaritans and the Mental Health Organisation of Northern Ireland.

"The biggest problem we have is getting students to see counsellors," said USI president Colm Jordan yesterday. "We need to break down the stereotypes. Many male students have this macho notion that sharing their problems is a sign of weakness. We want to show them that, in fact, it is one of the bravest things they can do."

USI welfare officer Ms Maureen Woods said: "There appears to be an increase in the numbers of students declaring that they have suicidal thoughts and feelings, and we are trying to get the message across that there is always someone there to talk to."

Statistics show that the rates of student suicide and depression are on the increase.

The horror of depression among young men was once again brought into focus last weekend with the violent deaths of two young students in Cork. On Valentine's Day, the bodies of 20-year-old Wayne Roche and his former girlfriend Cliona Magner, 19, were discovered by Cliona's father, Pat, in a house in Bishopstown. Mr Roche had shot his former girlfriend dead before turning his father's rifle on himself. Both were from Fermoy and attended CIT.

Fellow students are to receive counselling.

The USI campaign is part of a study into the prevalence of depression among students. The survey, which began last week, involves thousands of students throughout the country and follows growing concern about the level of depressive disorders, particularly among young men.

Figures have shown that more than 1,400 people have taken their lives in this country in the last three years. However, the real number is believed to be much greater. Experts claim that annual suicide rates of between 700 and 1,400 would be more accurate significantly more than the numbers killed in traffic accidents.

The rate of suicide has steadily increased since the late 1970s when it started to exceed 150 deaths a year. Ten years ago the rate was 266, with male suicide consistently higher. That annual figure has more than doubled and there is also An estimated 8-9,000 people who attempt suicide each year.