Lack of funds for suicide counselling

AFTER reading your article about the Government’s record on suicide (Irish Examiner, March 1) and having attended the suicide rally on Wednesday at the Mansion House, I am encouraged to see that this topic is finally worthy of front-page headlines.

As a member of staff in an organisation at the frontline in dealing with suicide prevention, suicide crisis and suicide bereavement, I can verify that voluntary and community organisations are struggling from day to day due to a scandalous lack of funding.

There are so few places for people to get professional help. For 23 years, we have provided professional counselling and psychotherapy (on a pay what you can basis) to people from all over Munster who may be dealing with suicide and other such issues, and for 23 years we have operated on a shoestring budget.

The Government, the Department of Health and Children and the HSE must start helping community organisations by providing ring-fenced multi-annual funding or the epidemic will get worse.

Ireland has the fifth highest rate of suicide in the EU. Don’t talk about partnership, just do it.

Catriona Hogan

Director of Development

Cork Counselling Services

7 Fr Mathew St

Cork