Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I am grateful to be afforded the opportunity to address the House on such an important issue. There is not a Member of this House who has not been affected by suicide or other mental health issues.

Since the House discussed this issue two weeks ago, 25 more people in Ireland have taken their own lives. This is the statistical rate at which people in Ireland are succumbing to the scourge of suicide and is based on the 2009 figure, which showed that 527 people died by suicide. That figure was a staggering 25% increase on that of the previous year for the number of people who died by suicide, and yet it was only the "recorded" figure. Experts believe the actual suicide figure is much higher. It is quite clear that the recession and the economic difficulties are having a direct negative impact.

Only today 1life, the suicide helpline, revealed that it received more than 700 calls over the Easter week and that half of these were callers presenting with serious suicidal thoughts. As shocking as the statistics are, they hide the fact that each case of suicide reverberates throughout a community where families, neighbours, colleagues and friends must endure the horrendous pain the loss of a loved-one in this manner brings. Of all the questions with which family and friends are left, the primary ones are: why? Why did he or she do it, and why did I not see it coming? However, there are no easy answers.

Undoubtedly, the financial crisis and its effects have played a part. Unemployment, unpaid bills and unmanageable debts all place enormous strain and pressure on people, with, in some cases, tragic and fatal consequences. Loneliness and isolation are also factors which affect a lot of older citizens, particularly in more rural and remote locations.

One figure which particularly concerns me is the number of our young people, particularly young men, who take their own lives and again, we must ask why. Bullying, discrimination and abuse are just some of the reasons which drive our young people to self-harm or to take their own lives. Teenagers have many pressures in their lives, such as exam pressure, career worries, peer pressure to fit in or to rebel and issues of how they think they appear to others. It is well documented that some people are more vulnerable than others, such as gay and lesbian people many of whom have to contend with discrimination, prejudice and abuse, both mental and physical, in our towns, villages and rural communities.

In the United States, it was a succession of several teen suicides among lesbian and gay school students last year which prompted the "It Gets Better" campaign to reach out to gay and lesbian young people via YouTube and social networking and assured them they are neither alone nor without support. Such a campaign highlights why the Civil Partnership Act, as incomplete at it is, is extraordinarily important in sending out a positive message to Ireland's young gay and lesbian people. I would like to take this opportunity to commend GLEN, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, and other organisations whose efforts and work were so crucial in securing this significant step towards full equality.

We are very fortunate to have a strong network of community and voluntary organisations in Ireland which provide support and comfort to people suffering as well as focus and direction for Government and policy-makers. Numerous organisations work in the area of suicide prevention and mental health. Some, such as the National Office for Suicide Prevention and Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, are statutory organisations. Many more are non-governmental organisations or community groups such as Aware, Console, Shine and 3TS.

In my constituency of Galway West, as Deputy Connaughton stated Jigsaw is a wonderful organisation which is a support service for young people. It is a partnership between Headstrong, the HSE and Mental Health Ireland which has been providing support and information via its drop-in service in Galway City since 2008 and recently moved to larger premises. It is imperative that every community in Ireland has access to such a service which, l am in no doubt, can save lives.

Given the constraints on funding, it is more important than ever that we work together to combat the problem of suicide. I urge greater co-operation, and more sharing of resources and tasks to achieve what are common goals. As a people, we must ask ourselves what is the point of fixing the banks and the economy if so many of our people are suffering. We must prioritise the needs of our people. We must all remember that it costs absolutely nothing to be supportive, to listen, to be compassionate and to be there for family and friends who are suffering.

The old Irish phrase, ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine, is as relevant today as it ever has been, and with that in mind, I will take this opportunity to ask the Minister for Health and Children to ensure that mental health funding be protected and directed towards primary mental health care where it is most needed, which is in the community.

See this speech in context