Govt Urged To Make Suicide Prevention A Priority

The government must make suicide prevention a priority, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said.

Mr Adams made his comments today to mark International Suicide Prevention Day and called for a fully integrated all-Ireland strategy on suicide prevention.

"A European Child Safety Alliance report released in March found that Ireland has the highest rate of suicide in young females across Europe and the second highest rate of suicide in young males," Mr Adams said.

Adding: "The recession and the implementation of austerity policies by this and the previous Government over the past six years have led to huge job losses, home repossessions, and homelessness.

"Men and women from all age brackets have been thrown into mental health crises due to these factors and many have ultimately died by suicide.

"There is not a community in this State that hasn’t been affected by suicide and this is now one of the major issues facing Irish society.

"A key priority for suicide prevention must be the development of adequate 24/7 crisis support services for people experiencing severe mental or emotional distress. The current situation remains woefully inadequate.

"We need to see the full implementation of the mental health strategy - 'A Vision for Change', by ensuring sufficient resources from the Government. This must be a priority in the immediate term ahead.

"While there now exists more meetings between officials about suicide prevention north and south, we need a concerted, properly integrated all-Ireland strategy on suicide prevention."

(MH/CD)