Preventative moves must be made

It is impossible to gauge the depth of grief the family and friends of John Roche are experiencing from the latest tragedy to strike them.

The devastating impact of suicide has left the Limerick family in mourning for the third time in a short period of time.

Just two years ago the family was left shocked and traumatised when Mr Roche’s two brothers took their own lives within 48 hours of each other. That double tragedy spurred another brother to raise funds for a drug treatment centre in a bid to spare others the same fate.

Last month five people took their own lives by jumping from Rafter Bridge in Enniscorthy and their last moments were spent in the cold embrace of the Slaney river. All their families were left to ponder what drove them to such desperation.

More than 400 people commit suicide in this country every year, a figure higher than that for road accident fatalities. Some experts maintain that it is not the true figure as some suicides are not officially described as such.

Suicide is the main cause of death among men aged 15 to 35 years and claims up to four times more male victims than female.

Consistently, women are more likely to seek help when they realise something is wrong or when they feel down.

According to the National Parasuicide Registry, about 10,200 people will have attempted suicide before this year is out and that number includes 260 children under the age of 14. While the incidence of actual suicide among young people is comparatively rare, it does

happen. Last year there were two recorded suicides of children under 14.

It is internationally accepted that 15% of those who attempt suicide will eventually take their own lives, which is indicative of how insidious it is.

While mental health professionals believe there is a huge deficit in preventative treatments offered by the health services, there is now a greater appreciation that intervention methods may help those with tendencies towards suicide.

There are many reasons why people attempt suicide and why, unfortunately, so many persist. Among these are recognised factors such as drugs and alcohol-related problems, depression, stress, isolation, homelessness and interpersonal relationship upheaval.

Thankfully, at this stage, health boards throughout the country, have initiated suicide prevention and support programmes, which in some cases includes crisis nurses being appointed to casualty departments. Many attempted suicides end up in Accident and Emergency departments, and very often staff there can be the conduit for people to seek professional help.

Given that the incidence of parasuicide is high among young people, often under stress because of pressure from examinations, greater support and resources in helping schools detect the warning signs could be instrumental in saving young people from themselves.