Suicide prevention appeal
About 40 groups wanting to play a role in tackling the country’s suicide problem applied for almost €4 million in funding from the state-appointed organisation last year.
The office is charged with co-ordinating suicide prevention efforts around the country.
More than 400 people take their own lives in Ireland every year.
Office director Geoff Day is concerned voluntary organisations are having to spend a lot of time raising money instead of preventing suicides. Mr Day, who was speaking at the opening of the office’s third annual forum in Dublin, said the state should be offering voluntary groups as much financial help as possible so that the burden for them to raise funds is reduced. He believed the challenge of raising funds could often distract groups from work in suicide prevention.
“There is a balance to be struck between fundraising through charitable sources and money offered from the public purse. I am not sure we have got that balance right,” he said.
Minister for Disability and Mental Health Jimmy Devins said policymakers working in the area of suicide prevention need to foster a culture where people in distress, at whatever stage in their lives, would not hesitate to seek help.
The minister, who also addressed the forum, said he was particularly pleased the forum was allowing young people to have their say on the issue of suicide.
“There are many pressures facing our young people in today’s Ireland – pressures such as bullying, emotional distress, addictions, peer pressure and exam pressure. It is only by taking on board what our young people have to say that we can gain true insights into how those pressures can be alleviated.”
