Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Yesterday, the 3Ts (Turn the Tide of Suicide) and Console launched a 24-hour helpline to help reduce the rate of suicide in Ireland. At the launch, the chairman of 3Ts, Mr. Noel Smyth, said suicide is a scourge in Ireland. Ireland has the fourth highest youth suicide rate in the EU. I congratulate Console and 3Ts for having a 24-hour helpline. Unfortunately, the HSE has utterly failed to provide a 24-hour helpline. Speaking at the launch yesterday, Professor Malone, Professor of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research at UCD, said 80% of those who died from suicide had reached out for help in the previous weeks. The launch of the helpline is a window of opportunity for people to reach out and call the helpline. The number is easy to remember, 1800 247100.