Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In 2008 I published a policy paper on what we could do to deal with the issue of suicide in the new Ireland. At the time there was no doubt we had a very high rate of suicide among young men. The economic crisis has had very serious consequences for young people, particularly young men who cannot find employment and have financial difficulties. There is a serious level of stress among men in their twenties and thirties because of the economic crisis. I have organised a conference which will take place on Saturday week in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork to address the question of what we can do to deal with the issue of suicide in tough economic times. One of the key speakers will be Dr. John Hillery, the famous psychiatrist and former Fianna Fáil candidate in County Clare, who will speak about resilience. As Senator Cáit Keane said, there is no doubt that being able to speak about one's problems is extremely important. It is also important that people are not criticised for feeling suicidal or suicidal ideation. It seems that many are beginning to understand this point. Many people who have ready my policy paper have told me that they tried to commit suicide in the past. I formally invite all Senators and the young people in the Visitors Gallery to attend the conference in Cork on Saturday week to discuss the question of how we can deal with the issue of suicide in tough economic times.