HSE’s suicide prevention director quits
In a major setback to the HSE’s suicide strategy, Geoff Day, confirmed he is retiring from his post to “pursue further study”.
Last month, Mr Day expressed his concern and frustration to HSE bosses over the loss of a key administrative post which had been vacant in his office for at least eight months.
Mr Day said the work of the office — already curtailed due to a vacancy in another key post — would be reduced further if the position was not filled.
This, he said, would lead to an inability to fully meet the objectives set out for the office in the 2011 HSE service plan, growing public anger at not receiving replies through the email or phone service and a delay in completing the annual report on suicide prevention.
In June, he wrote: “I have to consider not only my own health and well-being but also the health and well-being of the other members of the team.”
Paul Kelly, the founder of suicide awareness organisation Console, said it was very worrying that Mr Day had stepped down in such circumstances, adding the sector needed unity and leadership.
Mr Kelly also said the future of a coalition of suicide charities, Action on Suicide Alliance, was uncertain.
Last month, the 3Ts, a campaigning charity which founded the alliance, withdrew from the group, claiming it lacked independence and that some charities were afraid to criticise their main source of funding, the HSE.
Mr Kelly said: “There is great uncertainty about the alliance now. And that is a pity because, with the limited resources everyone has in these times, it was a chance for all the groups to work collaboratively and speak with a unified voice.”
Mr Kelly claimed Console was being overwhelmed by the numbers of distressed people using its helpline. In 2009, 1Life, a 24-hour suicide prevention helpline, was founded jointly by Console and the 3Ts.
“We are getting 3,000 calls a month from people who are stressed out, traumatised and a lot of it is down to their financial situation. There are high levels of anxiety and people are not sleeping at night. There is a real sense of hopelessness and failure and people are so upset they think the only way out is to end it all.”
Mr Day, who has two weeks left in his post, will speak today at Console’s national conference. It will be opened by President Mary McAleese and will also be addressed by Health Minister James Reilly.
