Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for coming to the House to deal with this matter. It is an issue which I raised as a matter of urgency last week, relating to the directive from the Health Service Executive indicating the withdrawal of funding for travel expenses in regard to non-clinical work. Unfortunately, suicide awareness falls into the category of non-clinical work, meaning that the allowance currently paid to specialist tutors engaged in this sector is ending. As a result, services aimed at removing the stigma attached to suicide and offering support to communities are at risk.

The demands, pressures and expectations of modern life can increase levels of anxiety and depression. These pressures often intensify in times of recession, and my home town of Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary, is no different in this regard. Our community has suffered greatly from the tragedy of suicide and is desperately in need of help. Unemployment, at 20%, is stubbornly high, which leads to the usual social problems. The Nano Nagle Centre in the town runs a course which teaches participants the skills required to identify signs of suicidal behaviour and to help those affected by the death of a loved one through suicide. It offers people life-saving tools which can benefit others in their community. However, after the first three sessions of the course, funding for tutors' travel has been withdrawn. This drastic action has caused huge disappointment for the current 29 participants, who have shown tremendous courage in seeking to help people at risk and those bereaved by suicide.

At a time when the number of people presenting at hospital emergency departments following incidents of self-harm is increasing, this decision makes no sense. People can become suicidal for many reasons, including as a consequence of cyber-bullying, the loss of a job or where they are experiencing loneliness and isolation. In this context, the relatively small allocation for running the course in Carrick-on-Suir should be reinstated as soon as possible.

There is a strong argument that this service does amount to clinical work. It certainly represents a proactive approach to the prevention of suicide and self-harm. It can be particularly helpful for those experiencing suicidal thoughts to hear people who have been bereaved by suicide speak candidly about the death of their loved one. The course at the Nano Nagle Centre provides a relaxed and comfortable setting for this type of engagement. There is a great deal to do in terms of educating society about the issues surrounding mental, psychological and emotional ill-health. The longer that misconceptions about suicide are allowed to persist, the longer we will all struggle to address the problem.

Those bereaved by suicide are often in desperate need of a realistic outlook on what their life will be like in the months and years ahead. The death by suicide of a loved one is a pivotal event in a person's life and nothing will ever be the same again. This does not mean, however, that people can never again experience happiness. They must work hard to resolve their grief with the help of others who have been through the same experience. With time, support and after many tears, they can live a full life. Courses such as this one in Carrick-on-Suir can help to change attitudes to suicide. People need to know that mental illness, like any other illness, can be treated and cured. Professional help must be sought at an early stage, however, and the State has an obligation to provide the services required to help sufferers to recover. In this instance, that support is being provided at a very small cost to the Exchequer. If those who wish to avail of the course are now obliged to seek help through the psychiatric services, this will impose a much greater burden on public moneys. I appeal to the Minister of State to make the funding available through the ring-fenced mental health budget to reinstate this course as soon as possible.