Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue, which has long been subject to stigma in society in general. I congratulate my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on her appointment. I am delighted she has responsibility for this area.

To say the number of people who commit suicide every year in Ireland is a national emergency is an understatement. Indeed, this is illustrated by the 527 men and women who took their own lives in 2009, an increase of 24% over the previous year. Based on the latest figures available for the first quarter of 2010, it appears there has been a further increase on the 2009 figures. It is clear that the ever-increasing numbers can be correlated to the deterioration in economic conditions. Many thousands of people have lost their jobs and their homes. Many more are struggling to hold on to what they have, while they see friends and family leave their community for foreign shores. This is certainly true for the communities in my constituency. From my conversations with representatives of the chambers of commerce in County Wicklow, it is clear that companies are on a knife edge as they struggle to stay in business and keep their employees in jobs. Far too many companies have been forced to close down and this has put a huge burden on local people.

The depression and despair these losses have caused have not been met with adequate support services. The previous Government not only failed to look after the economic well-being of the nation, but also failed to provide the funding and joined-up thinking necessary for proper mental health facilities. Sadly, the soaring numbers of those who have taken their own lives do not take account of the number of failed attempts, which is estimated to be ten to 20 times the number who have died. Indeed, even the most recent official figures available are likely to under-report the numbers. Sourcing accurate data is undermined by many factors, including insufficient evidence to determine intent and concealment for religious reasons, fear of stigma and for life assurance.

It was also startling to learn that in most European countries more people die from suicide than from road accidents. The reason there is such an increase in the incidence of suicide can certainly be attributed to the economic downturn. The previous Fianna Fáil Government left an economic mess that must be dealt with as quickly as possible. The number of unemployed has reached 14.7%. The last time unemployment reached that level was in April 1994. More businesses are seeking credit lifelines as they seek to keep their heads above water. This downturn, coupled with job losses, has left many families struggling to pay mortgages. Indeed, the negative equity that home owners face has become impossible to ignore.

Problems in the mental health services sector were always an afterthought in the Celtic tiger economy. Gross income inequality was allowed to grow unhindered and, perhaps, it is no surprise that Dickensian hospitals sufficed as modern mental health infrastructure. It is also no surprise that other necessary resources, from establishing prevention programmes to training front line professionals, have gone by the wayside. The challenges faced by the new Government, therefore, are not small. Equally, however, they are not insurmountable.

The programme for Government contains a range of measures that will go some way towards reducing the number of people who take their own lives. Recommendations incorporated in the A Vision for Change programme will be followed. Among the measures in the programme for Government is the introduction of universal health insurance, which will ensure that mental health services will be included as part of the standard insurance package offered. The services that people can access will also be of greater value due to the commitment to ensure that general practitioners will have better training in mental health issues. Access to these and other professionals such as psychologists and counsellors will hopefully decrease the startling suicide figures. Unsuitable psychiatric institutions will also be closed and more appropriate community based facilities will be developed.

Organisations such as the Wicklow Mental Health Association in my constituency are swimming against the tide, but still manage to provide much needed services. In April and May this year it is providing training programmes, and information on these can be accessed on the association's website. Another organisation, Suicide or Survive, provides the Eden programme. It is to be congratulated on this as well. Amnesty International has put forward recommendations in this regard and I urge the Minister to take them on board. Support and acknowledgement of national programmes such as See Change Ireland, which challenges the stigma surrounding suicide, is also important.

We must deal with the despair and depression engendered in people as a result of losing their jobs and homes and seeing the effect of emigration on their friends and family. The programme for Government provides commitments in this regard, not least the jobs initiative which is due to be launched in May. Overall, these strategies demonstrate the joined-up thinking that is necessary for meaningful reform, and meaningful reform is needed. Suicide is preventable, perhaps not 100% of the time but a significant reduction can be achieved. If the same resources that have been put into reducing the number of road deaths were put into reducing the suicide rate, there would be fewer suicides and fewer families would have to suffer.

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