Hillwalk funds drive to fight a national scourge
As readers are no doubt aware, recent decades have seen fundamental changes in Irish society.
Many of these changes have been positive and have brought unprecedented wealth to the country.
However, one of the most negative changes has been in relation to suicide. Ireland has experienced one of the fastest growing suicide rates in the world. This has predominantly affected Irish men, and in particular young men. Young male suicide rates have quadrupled in the past 20 years and suicide is now the leading cause of death in young people.
Considering that suicide was a crime in Ireland until 1993, it is not surprising that we have a short history in suicide research.
The late Dr Michael J Kelleher was one of the few pioneers in the area. Having been a driving force behind decriminalisation of suicide in Ireland, Dr Kelleher established the National Suicide Research Foundation in Cork in 1995 and made a major contribution to the National Task Force on Suicide.
Following his death in August 1998, Dr Margaret Kelleher was appointed medical director of the foundation and, subsequently, Prof Ivan J Perry, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCC, was appointed research director.
Recently, the foundation has been recognised as the Irish centre of excellence in suicide research and prevention by the WHO’s European office.
The unit is based in Cork and consists of a multi-disciplinary research team.
The National Suicide Research Foundation is dedicated to furthering our understanding of suicidal behaviour and the factors associated with it.
We hope that many of your readers will support this work by participating in the hill walking trek and/or by sponsorship.
Pat Behan,
Hillside House,
Rochestown,
Co Cork.
021 842071/087 1386362.
Eileen Williamson,
1, Perrott Ave.,
College Road,
Cork.
021 4277499.
