Madam, - The tragedy of suicide in modern Ireland has received some attention in your newspaper around World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th), which was marked for the first time in Dublin by a candlelight vigil on College Green organised by 3TS (Turning The Tide of Suicide). The first candle was lit by Mr Sean Ó Ceallaigh, Uachtarán Chumainn Luthcleas Gael, on behalf of the communities of Ireland (young and old).
A Government Minister defensively bandying figures (Letters, September 16th) is little consolation to over 2,000 families (not to mention friends and relations) directly touched by suicide across the communities of Ireland since the publication of the 1998 Government Task Force Report.
The truth of the matter, clearly articulated by John Waters (Opinion, September 19th) is that we have a significant problem of young male suicide in Ireland that remains to be properly researched, addressed and effectively tackled across all communities in Ireland.
For example, there are currently only eight dedicated adolescent psychiatry in-patient beds for the whole of Ireland for all mental health problems. No amount of massaging figures will change this fact.
Where are the focused expert local services for young people in suicidal crisis? Where would your son or daughter, friend or relation go to get expert help in a time of suicidal crisis?
We have over-stretched and under-funded general psychiatric services, which many young people will not attend in a time of suicidal crisis, and which indeed may not be the correct services for them as they are currently configured. We are groping about in the dark on one of the darkest and most pressing problems for the next generation of young people in Ireland (especially young men). A Government "action-oriented" strategy is laudable, but it will not be published before 2005. Meanwhile, another 250 lives will be lost to suicide in Ireland.
Suicide is not someone else's problem, it is everyone's problem. Please let it be a real priority for the nation, and let us all help turn the tide. - Yours, etc.,
Prof KEVIN MALONE, 3TS Scientific Director, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 16.