Drink and death

IT is regrettable that Sean Kelly MEP made no reference to alcohol consumption in his letter (July 7) on suicide prevention.

Dr Dermot Walsh, former inspector of mental hospitals, has stated that reduced alcohol consumption is the most evidenced-based suicide prevention measure we have.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children has also drawn attention to the correlation between alcohol consumption and suicide.

If Mr Kelly wishes to pursue the laudable aim of advocating for a reduced suicide rate it would be important for him to arm himself with the facts.

Joe Barry

Professor of Population Health Medicine

Trinity College

Dublin 2