Rising suicide rate must be tackled

URGENT investment is needed to deal with the rising suicide rate, a leading campaigner in the area has urged, as latest figures reveal eight people kill themselves every week in Ireland.

Counselling services need to be improved as a matter of priority, said Dan Neville, president of the Irish Association of Suicidology.

He was speaking ahead of the group's annual conference, to be held in Belfast this weekend. The focus of the conference, to be attended by 300 delegates from across the world, is on preventing suicide among the young.

“The Government spent 22 million euro on promoting road safety but only 1.5 million euro on suicide prevention. We need to provide access to counselling and to destigmatise the area of mental health” said Mr Neville, a Fine Gael TD.

“We need psychiatrists, psychologist, therapists in an easily accessible service. In most cases, depression is 100% curable. We know this can work.”

The association’s president, Professor Roy McClelland said: “Suicide is among the 10 highest causes of death in Ireland and the principal cause of death in young adults, having increased four-fold in the past 20 years.”

He said new research is highlighting the genetic factors in suicidal behaviour. “It is essential that all those involved in mental health promotion and suicide prevention are aware of the insights gained from such research.

“Why are so many of our young people taking their own lives?

Beneath the tip of this tragic iceberg why are so many more contemplating suicide as an option for coping with life? This is the challenge facing us as a community, as professionals, as parents, as families.”

Among the papers being presented at the conference is one that deals with suicides in the Defence Forces. Preliminary evidence revealed a higher rate of suicide than among civilians.

Meanwhile, in this month’s issue of Reality magazine, Fr Tom Flannery attacked as “somewhat hysterical” the reaction to comments made by former minister Jim McDaid, who said some who commit suicide were selfish.

“We tend to do that (be hysterical) in Ireland, shout down people and stymie the debate.

“I know one particular area where nine people between the ages of 17-21 have committed suicide in the last three years. It’s almost becoming an option for people who don’t feel good about themselves and we don’t understand what’s going on.”