Request for Dáil debate on suicide denied

THE Irish Examiner’s special investigation into suicide has been raised in the Dáil.

Labour TD Sean Sherlock sought a debate on the issues raised by the supplement and called on the Government to explain its poor record on suicide prevention.

“I am seeking a debate in the House so that the Minister for Health and Children can say why little progress has been made in implementing the 33 recommendations made by the Committee on Health and Children in 2006, what tangible deadlines have been set out for the implementation of those recommendations, and to ask the minister to respond to the description of this Government’s record on suicide prevention as a litany of failure,” Mr Sherlock said.

But his request for a special debate was turned down by the Ceann Comhairle, who ruled it out of order.

Mr Sherlock’s call came on the same day that a new report revealed one in five TDs and Senators who took part in an Oireachtas-wide mental health survey have sought help for depression and related concerns.

According to the Survey of Irish Politicians’ Attitudes and Experiences of Mental Health document, compiled by a cross- party Oireachtas group on the issue, one in four TDs and Senators surveyed have concerns about their mental health.

One in five surveyed have sought help for a mental health problem, while nine out of 10 know “at least” one person who has experienced related illnesses.

The survey, which was conducted in July, had a response rate of just 15%, meaning just 33 of the 226 TDs and Senators in Leinster House agreed to take part, with 193 declining the offer.

However, Amnesty International Ireland said the survey was a step towards removing the stigma of mental health problems.

A third of representatives who took part said they have been contacted by constituency members “a few times a year” over mental health issues.

Among the main mental health-related issues raised by TDs and Senators were financial worries, lack of awareness, isolation, lack of funding, and “the high level of suicide and depression” in Ireland.

While two-thirds of those surveyed claimed to have raised parliamentary questions on the subject in recent months, mental health issues are ranked only fifth out of 11 political concerns, behind the economy, employment, education, and all other health issues.

“It is important politicians take leadership on the issue of mental health as we are in the position to instigate real and positive change,” a statement from the chief organisers of the survey said.