Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. I thank the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and suicide, Deputy Moloney, for coming to the Chamber to respond to this debate.

The Government must address the emergency that has arisen following the announcement of an increase in suicide rates in the first half of 2009. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show the number of deaths by suicide increased by 35% in the first half of 2009, when compared to the same period in 2008. Some 228 people took their own lives in the first six months of last year, compared to 169 in the first six months of 2008. The Government must pay heed to the link between unemployment and suicide. It is alarming that figures for births, marriages and deaths also show an increase in the number of people dying by suicide. Those figures show that 77% of deaths by suicide are among men and 40% of those who take their own lives are under the age of 35. The Government should regard the 35% increase in the incidence of suicide as warranting an emergency response. Instead, it has been ignoring its duty to respond to the mental health crisis brought about by these times of recession.

The link between suicide and financial disaster is well established. Unemployment, insecure employment, threat to or loss of home and restricted access to credit take a heavy psychological toll on public health. There is a reduction in mental well-being and an increase in mental health problems, substance misuse, relationship breakdown and divorce. In recessionary times, there is a sudden gap between material needs and resources. Frustration increases during economic downturns, as an increasing proportion of people cannot realise their financial goals. This can increase aggression, including suicide. Research published in 1967 found that the absolute value of change in the stock market prices was associated with an increase in male suicide rates during 1929 to 1940. This confirmed the thesis that downward economic change in the business cycle increases suicide. The rate of unemployment emerged in earlier studies as the leading predictor of suicide rates. There have been numerous studies of this type over the years, most of which continue to illustrate a clear link between unemployment and suicide rates. This is especially true for males.

All studies indicate higher rates of psychological and physical ill health among men and women who are in insecure work or are unemployed. A protracted period of unemployment at a young age seems to have a particularly deleterious effect on the mental health of young men, regardless of their social background. Unemployment has a profound effect on people, especially the young and those in middle age. Irish society awards status and prestige in accordance with a person's position and contribution to work. Unemployment is associated with loss of face and prestige. Those who are unemployed are six times more likely to suffer from a psychiatric disorder than those who are in employment. The unemployed are between four and six times more likely to take their own lives than the general population. The high rate and threat of home foreclosures is of concern. Homes are the primary investment of most Irish people. I have been warning the Government about this trend for some time. Just under €4 million has been allocated to the National Office for Suicide Prevention. I suggest to the Government that a modest €10 million be allocated.

I would like to conclude by congratulating the Minister of State on his contribution to last Sunday's "Marian Finucane" radio programme, to which I listened. Some of my colleagues at the Irish Association of Suicidology, including the other directors, asked me to convey their congratulations to the Minister of State on his excellent and brave remarks.

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