Suicide prevention group urges against spending cuts

A MAJOR suicide prevention group has urged Government not to cut vital funding for tackling the issue as the number of people taking their own lives continues to rise dramatically.

The Irish Association for Suicidology (IAS) made the plea after warning that any cut to support in next week’s budget will put vulnerable people at serious risk of harm.

In a letter sent to Taoiseach Enda Kenny the day after Wales football manager Gary Speed is believed to have taken his own life, the group said that the Government had given a pre-election commitment to increase mental health and suicide prevention care. IAS honorary secretary Dr John Connolly said this was based on the fact evidence indicates that every 1% unemployment rate rise causes a similar increase in suicides.

However, due to the pressure on the exchequer, he said there are concerns that these commitments may now be sidelined.

“Over the last three years the number of people who have decided to end their own life by suicide has risen dramatically,” he said.

“In the 2011 Programme for Government, it states that ‘we will ring-fence €35 million annually from within the health budget.

“Part of this ring-fenced funding will be used to implement Reach Out, the national suicide prevention strategy.

“Given the need to continue to correct the national finances, the IAS would ask you to ensure the pledges made to mental health and suicide prevention services are implemented.

“While the Irish people have borne the brunt of austerity measures over the last three years, the impact of these measures on those most vulnerable and at risk of suicide has been reflected in the increase in the number of suicides, deliberate self-harm presentation at A&E and in calls to support help-lines such as the Samaritans,” he added.

The letter, which noted the Taoiseach’s commitment to raising suicide awareness, has yet to receive a response from Mr Kenny’s office or that of Health Minister James Reilly.

Official 2009 suicide figures show that a total of 527 were confirmed as dying by suicide that year, up 15% from 2007.

However, due to the lengthy wait for coroners’ court verdicts, and the mislabelling of other deaths, the true figure is believed to be far higher.

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