It’s time to get to the root of this silent killer

HAVING marked Suicide Prevention Day a few weeks ago, we should not forget now that every year an average of 450 young people take their lives and in excess of 10,000 present at A&E having attempted to do so.

These are figures of epidemic magnitude, yet suicide remains a largely silent killer, afforded little attention by media or government.

Modern culture and society impose complex pressures on our young people and we must ask why so many of them are in such crisis that they decide to end their own lives.

Previous generations depended on the lead of role models and pillars of society when making their life choices.

Today’s young people, in an atmosphere of public distrust, do not have recourse to the same guiding principles and face the future with greater uncertainty as a result.

The impact of an increasingly consumer-driven society, where image and spending power are of prime importance, often negatively affect their self-esteem.

The psychological shift which is at the root of the rising suicide numbers requires a psychological response.

The suicide figures for Ireland over the past 10 years indicates that something maladaptive and unhealthy is taking place and it is time that the Department of Health took responsibility for this.

Sufficient support services, properly resourced for this growing tragedy, must be put in place now.

I am calling on the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, finally to recognise this epidemic and immediately to introduce suicide prevention policies.

The most obvious starting point is the Government’s own report on the national task force on suicide.

There is no doubt that failure to act will have deadly consequences.

Dan Neville TD

President

Irish Association of Suicidology;

Deputy Health Spokesperson,

Fine Gael

Dáil Eireann,

Dublin 2