‘Cheap jibe’ does not explain suicide rate

SOME people blame “secularisation” for many of our ills, but Eamon Reilly (Letters, May 5) stoops to a new low when he blames our suicide rate on it and says faith is the answer.

Those who believe in a secular and fair society are used to cheap jibes like this. But his claim is an insult to those affected by suicide and those working with those affected by suicide, and those working to prevent it.

Suicide has many complex reasons, particularly mental health problems and addictions like alcohol. Mr Reilly’s ‘solution’ does not help people with these issues or address the other complex problems behind suicide.

And his claim does not stand up when you compare suicide rates across Europe and the developed world: it is not lower in more churchgoing countries and it is not higher in less churchgoing countries.

Mr Reilly could do with checking his facts, starting with the Suicide Prevention page on the WHO website before he goes making up claims without evidence.

Andrew Doyle

Lehenagh

Lislevane

Bandon

Co Cork