Focus needed on measures to prevent youth suicide

The representative body for psychologists has said there needs to be a greater focus on measures which could help to prevent Ireland’s high rates of youth suicide.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and the Psychological Society of Ireland said the country needs to focus on the range of methods and therapies which help people who are experiencing behavioural, psychological and emotional issues.

It said preventative measures for teenagers and adolescents were particularly important as Ireland has the fourth highest rate of suicide in the EU. Only Lithuania, Estonia and Finland had higher rates of teenagers taking their own lives.