Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)

As a fellow county man, this is my first opportunity publicly to congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his appointment and I wish him every success. I also congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on her appointment and acknowledge the hard work and commitment of her predecessor, John Moloney, who tirelessly championed the issue of suicide and mental health during his time in the House. Deputy Neville's efforts in this area over many years similarly deserve recognition. He was a lone voice when it was not politically correct to speak about the issue.

Our country faces many challenges at present, not least the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves. However, the issue of mental health is one of our greatest challenges. Economic activity operates in cycles and produces periods of boom, bust and renewed growth. I do not doubt we will return to prosperity but when we lose a person who suffers from depression, that life is gone forever. Statistics show that an increasing number of young people are dying in this manner. In 2009, some 529 lives were lost through suicide, an increase of 24% on the previous year, and preliminary statistics for 2010 indicate that the number will increase further. It is worth noting these are only the recorded numbers because there are suggestions that unofficial figures are even higher.

Death by suicide has a devastating effect on the wider community as well as on close family and friends. The tragedy is increased because we know it is preventable. Those who are left behind experience not only the normal emotions one would associate with bereavement but also feelings of confusion and anger, and questions about what they could have done differently.

I welcome the Government's commitment to A Vision for Change, which was published by our predecessor, and the promise of additional resources for the area. We need to change fundamentally our attitude to mental health and suicide. I concur with my colleague, Deputy Coffey, in regard to how society has changed as a result of the Celtic tiger. A fundamental change in attitude is needed. We can start by changing the language we use when dealing with this issue. We say a person commits suicide as if to suggest he or she has committed some sort of a crime. It was a crime in the past but it is no longer one and we should lose that type of language. We also say a person took his or her own life as to suggest he or she had a choice in the matter. Somebody who is profoundly ill and suffering from depression has no choice but simply cannot continue, so we need to lose the term "taking one's own life". If a young person gets into a car, is involved in an accident and unfortunately dies, we do not suggest he or she took his or her own life nor or do we suggest a person who has been a heavy smoker over the years, gets lung cancer and dies took his or her own life. Therefore, why do we use that term when someone dies as a result of depression?

We need to remove the stigma and convey the message that people should not have to hide, or be ashamed of, suffering from depression. It is an illness from which many people suffer. We must encourage people to talk openly about it and to seek help. We should promote initiatives to get people to talk about their difficulties and problems. Perhaps the Minister of State should consider a national day of mental health awareness and invite professionals into schools and colleges to talk to young people and suspend the curriculum for a day or a half day. I know from experience that there would be a very willing audience. During my term as mayor of Galway, I organised a youth conference on a range of issues relating to young people from career prospects to mental health, which was a big issue, to bullying to diet and fitness to other issues of concern. They came in their droves to listen to the speakers on mental health. That is something the Minister should consider.

The banks have been blamed for much of the economic difficulty in which we find ourselves. Some banks are now contributing to mental health awareness. Bank managers became involved in an orgy of credit and were very quick to extend loan facilities to people, possibly without going through due diligence or in a prudent manner. We all remember getting letters or constituents approaching us about letters asking us if we needed a new car or an extension to our homes and telling us to sign a form, send it back and that the cheque would be sent to us within days. That kind of reckless orgy of credit was driven by a bonus culture which existed in some banks.

The people who wrote those letters and extended those loans are now placing huge financial pressure and strain on people. Helicopters were sent to bring large or commercial customers to the races or to play golf. They are now sending the bailiffs in lorries to collect personal assets and so on. I encourage the banks to demonstrate a sense of leniency and fairness when dealing with their customers.

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