Suicide prevention - Funding is totally inadequate

EVERY now and then we have to ask ourselves if we really are a caring society, one that can or will extend the hand of real, active friendship to a relative or a neighbour in real trouble.

We have to look in the mirror and ask ourselves if all the ballyhoo about inclusion and support, about back-up services and a caring community is real.

The challenge is to be able to say that yes, we do care; that all of the talk actually adds up to something more than a soundbite prepared by some politician’s scriptwriter. Otherwise it’s just more insincere and cynical posing; rattle and hum to silence a pressure group.

It’s not easy to answer that question in the affirmative this morning. As we report today, the National Office for Suicide Prevention — the office charged with tackling suicide, that great killer and heartbreaker of modern Ireland — must face into 2008 with the same funding as last year. Apart from the practical difficulties this will cause, consider the message it sends to those working in the suicide prevention office about how their efforts are regarded.

Though there are other organisations working in the field, it will try to confront the despair and loss caused nationwide by suicide with €4.5 million.

There are more than a few English Premier League players who would earn that amount in six months. For kicking a ball around.

There are many occasions, too many, when we need to remind government that its actions do not reflect our wishes.

Undoubtedly, this is one.