Awareness the key to tackling growing suicide problem

NEARLY 500 people take their own lives every year, but the problem can be tackled by greater public awareness, a suicide prevention forum heard yesterday.

Organisers said it was unacceptable that the number of people dying from suicide was greater than the number of people killed in road traffic accidents.

President Mary McAleese, who addressed the forum, said reducing the suicide rate required a collective, concerted effort from all groups in society.

“I look forward to seeing the growth of a culture and environment where people in psychological distress don’t hesitate to seek help from family, friends and health professionals; a culture where we recognise the signs and signals of that distress; a culture where we focus early in life on developing good coping skills and avoiding harmful practices,” she said.

The national forum was organised by the newly-established National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP).

Last September, the government set out its 10-year strategy which targets specific groups such as young men, prisoners and the unemployed. The strategy puts the direct, indirect and human cost of suicide and attempted self-harm at over e864 million a year.

Action now being taken to tackle suicide includes deployment of psychiatric nurses at A&E departments.

Each year an estimated 11,000 people, who have harmed themselves, present at A&E departments. Often, the same people harm themselves repeatedly.

Donegal-based youth charity, Community Relations, pioneered the first website produced by young people for young people which covers a wide range of health issues.

Called www.spunout.ie, it features 2,000 pages on a wide range of topics directly of interest to young people. Some 100 volunteers from around the country contribute to the website, which is run from Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

NOSP head Geoff Day said: “If we can improve the awareness among a whole range of people in our society the evidence shows that will make a difference.

“We need to have more awareness programmes in schools so young people can understand about suicide, suicide prevention and what help is available. They can build up their own resilience to stresses.”

Mr Day paid tribute to the work being done around the country by groups involved in the area of suicide prevention.

Mrs McAleese said protecting troubled individuals from actions which hastened their death was a difficult but vital challenge. It was a huge moral and social responsibility, she said. Suicide closed off all paths to hope, healing and tomorrow’s fresh possibilities.