Suicide figures - Targets can help to cut death rates

THE Government stands accused of a double standard with regard to separate crises which annually claim hundreds of lives in this country.

The coalition’s refusal to set targets for a 20% reduction in Ireland’s appalling suicide level is in stark contrast with its belated crackdown on road carnage — even though more people die from suicide than in road accidents every year.

The bitter irony is that unlike road fatalities, which draw banner headlines and highlight the failed strategy of this administration, suicide is invariably hushed up because of its social stigma.