A full-time resource officer for suicide prevention has been appointed by the South Eastern Health Board.
Mr Sean McCarthy, who took up the position last month, will attempt to identify gaps in the services that are available, both for those at risk of suicide and people who have been bereaved as a result of suicide.
There were 504 suicides last year, more than the number killed in road accidents, and the suicide figures are rising. The problem is particularly acute among young males: 228 of those who died were men in the 15-34 age bracket.
Mr McCarthy, who was formerly deputy nursing officer in the department of psychiatry at Waterford Regional Hospital, said women were more inclined to speak about their problems and seek help than men.
"Part of my brief will be to look at areas like this where there are gaps in the service and see how we can make it easier to access services that are available," he said.
Suicide bereavement is another area which will get priority attention. Mr McCarthy said there were support groups in Carlow and Wexford, while one was in the formative stage in Waterford. This service was lacking, however, in Kilkenny and south Tipperary.
There were 54 suicides in the south-east last year - 43 of them men - suggesting that the problem in the region is on a par with the rest of the State. The appointment of Mr McCarthy is in response to one of the main recommendations from the national task force on suicide which issued its report last year, and similar appointments have been made by other health boards.
Anyone wishing to avail of services in the region should contact their local psychiatric/psychological services through the South Eastern Health Board.
The number for the Samaritans is 1850 609090.
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Readers who wish to contact Chris Dooley can leave messages by dialling (01) 670-7711, extension 6298