People at risk of suicide ‘failed’ by funding cut

THE 12.5% cut in funding for the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) means that those at risk of suicide are being “abjectly failed” by authorities, an Oireachtas meeting has heard.

Irish Association of Suicidology (IAS) president and Fine Gael TD Dan Neville warned the drop in the expert group’s budget to e3.5 million this year was an affront to those whose lives are in danger.

According to research by the IAS, those who are unemployed are “six times” more likely to be at risk of suicide due to financial and personal pressures.

The rising levels of unemployment and the fact that 11,000 people are admitted to hospital for self-harm injuries every year should have resulted in an increase in funding for suicide prevention programmes this year, Mr Neville said after the meeting.

However, while the Health Service Executive has claimed relevant organisations will be able to maintain existing levels of service despite the 12.5% cut, Mr Neville said the reduction was still risking lives.

“There are serious problems with suicide prevention in Ireland; we’re reducing funding and we’re under-estimating the problem,” said the IAS president.

“There is long-standing evidence to show that people who are unemployed are at increased risk, people who self-harm are at increased risk, and that up to 10% of single occupancy road fatalities are suicides but are not classed as them.

“There is an under-reporting of suicide because the right forms are not filled out or sent on by investigating gardaí, some drownings are not counted. We have said this again and again, but it is not being addressed,” he said.

The Fine Gael TD was speaking during a debate on Fianna Fáil senator Mary White’s paper on suicide prevention.

The document, published in July, called for a 24/7 suicide prevention helpline for those at risk of suicide and deliberate self harm; services for children and adolescents, and more awareness of suicide risks for older people.

According to the document, 20% more suicides occur on Sundays and Mondays than any other time during the week, with just under one in every four involving women.

Officially, 460 people died by suicide in Ireland during 2007. However, support services say the figure is far higher.

* Samaritans’ contact number is 1850 60 90 90.