Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I oppose those seeking the deletion of section 9. In February 2013, a Wexford Coroner's Court heard, very tragically, that ten out of 14 inquests concerned suicides. One person under the age of 17 dies by suicide every month in this country. In 2010, 486 certified suicides were recorded, 386 very tragically were male and 100 were female. Suicide is the leading cause of death. It is a real risk for our citizens, male or female, or a woman, regardless of whether she is pregnant. Some people in this House seek to undo the erosion of the stigma from this issue following campaigning and lobbying to see mental health as an issue that needs to be addressed. Deputies Tóibín and Naughten said they do not consider this a medical issue. They should tell that to the medical doctors, the psychiatrists who have gone to medical school, who treat our citizens who have poor mental health and mental illnesses in our acute and community medical facilities all over the country.

Much legal analysis has been read out in the course of this debate and we have been asked to listen to it. I ask those Deputies to listen to the people. On two occasions the people asked that the X case be legislated for. Is democracy a mere inconvenience for these Deputies? Much has been made in this discussion about the need for evidence.

I stated at the Bill’s committee hearings, on Committee Stage and on other occasions that the evidence they so badly seek that suicide is a threat for women is evidence that should never be collected. It would mean that out of 100 pregnant women who are suicidal, 50 of them would get the treatment they need while 50 would not. I am not prepared to stand over that kind of evidence or that kind of risk to 100 pregnant women in our State. Members should reflect on what they are seeking.

Suicide is real. In 2010, 100 women died in this country very tragically because of suicide. People need to reflect on that. They need to reflect on the damage that is being done to mental health advocacy. For decades we have campaigned to erode the stigma around mental health issues. All of this is being undone by saying it is frivolous and not a medical issue. People need to choose their words carefully when they speak of mental health.

Having worked on a mental health team, I know it is our job, including that of psychiatrists, to reduce risks. We are trained to deal day in and day out with hundreds who present to general practitioners, accident and emergency departments and elsewhere with suicidal thoughts. As a mental health social worker, if a girl presents to me telling me the reason she is suicidal is that she is pregnant, am I to dismiss it? All people who present with suicidal intentions, be they male or female and pregnant or not, must be believed. It is our job as trained professionals - it is not some hocus-pocus, pulling things out of the sky - to assist them. It is so difficult to work in the area of mental health because the risks are so high. Am I not to believe the girl who tells me she is suicidal because she is pregnant? In some cases, the only treatment that will help her is termination.

We must reflect carefully on the kind of language being used when discussing mental health. I for one know the great stigma that is still associated with it. I know how difficult it is for those affected by it and their families to admit they need help. Are we to dismiss this now? Deputies who have spoken so spuriously about mental health in this debate tonight have in the past lauded the idea of removing the stigma. That is now all to be wiped clear if a pregnant girl says she is suicidal.

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