Suicide Prevention Office: Young men a 'particular challenge'

The National Office for Suicide Prevention says the number of cases among young men in Ireland poses a particular challenge in their work.

The Office has issued its annual report for 2011 today, detailing its efforts to tackle suicide and self-harm around the country.

Over 80 organisations applied for an extra €1m in funding which was allocated to the group last year, while another €3m was injected this year, meaning the annual budget now stands at €7.1m.

Martin Rogan, the Assistant National Director for Mental Health at the HSE, says they are working to bring down the number of young men around the country taking their own lives: “Ireland is, thankfully, quite low in global numbers for all genders and all ages but for young men we’re in the top four. This a particular challenge for us in the National Office for Suicide Prevention.”