President calls for combined efforts to fight suicide
Battling Ireland’s suicide epidemic needs a combined effort from all groups in society, President Mary McAleese said today.
Almost 500 people died as a result of suicide in 2005 and around 11,000 people were treated for deliberate self-harm at Accident & Emergency clinics.
Mrs McAleese, who is a patrol of the Irish Association of Suicidology, said she wanted to see a culture where people with suicidal thoughts don’t hesitate to seek help from family, friends or health services.
She told the first meeting of the National Forum on Suicide Prevention: “International evidence shows that reducing the suicide rate requires a collective, concerted effort from all groups in society – health, social services and other professionals, communities, voluntary and statutory agencies and organisations, parents, friends, neighbours and individuals.
“I look forward to seeing the growth of a culture and environment where people in psychological distress don’t hesitate to seek help from family, friends and health professionals – a culture where we recognise the signs and signals of that distress and help guide ourselves, or others, to good help, a culture where we focus early in life on developing good coping skills and avoiding harmful practices.”
The National Forum on Suicide Prevention was organised by the Health Service Executive and the National Office for Suicide Prevention.
Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children Tim O’Malley said the Forum was designed to bring together a diverse range of organisations and individuals to implement the Government’s ’Reach Out’ strategy.
“A fundamental aim of the new strategy is to prevent suicidal behaviour, including deliberate self-harm, and to increase awareness of the importance of good mental health among the general population.
“The strategy identifies expected outcomes and sets targets which can be measured, monitored and revised. Continuous quality control and ongoing modification and improvement of the strategy will be central to its implementation“.
Mr O’Malley reiterated that the Government shares the public concern about the levels of suicide in this country.
He said that “We all have our part to play in helping those who may experience and face adverse events in life, and emotions and feelings so strong that they consider taking their own lives.
“We must aim to provide accessible, sensitive, appropriate and, where required, intensive support in a more comprehensive co-ordinated and cohesive manner“.
Joint actions are currently being explored between Mr O’Malley’s department and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and between the National Office for Suicide Prevention and the Health Promotion Agency in Northern Ireland.
