Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, and wish her well in her brief.

I wish to speak about the issue of suicide, particularly in the context of the position in my constituency of Limerick City. Studies have shown that, between 2011 and 2013, it had the highest suicide rate in Ireland. At more than 21 deaths per 100,000 of population, the rate was almost twice the national average. The most recent statistics from the Central Statistics Office show that there has been a decrease to 16 deaths per 100,000 of population, but the rate is not decreasing among men. In 2015, 2014 and 2010 the figure in Limerick was nearly 29 men per 100,000 of population. In 2015 the figure for females was 3.5, although in 2014 it was very high, at 17.3. It was nil in 2010.

I want these issues to be addressed. We are attending too many funerals of people who died by suicide. It is a national emergency. More people die by suicide than in car accidents, yet there is considerable reporting, justifiably so, of deaths on the roads. Deaths by suicide must receive the same level of concentration.

Studies have shown that 70% of young males know of someone who died by suicide. For 17% of them, it was a close friend. We must address this issue. A further feature of the statistics is that 60% of people who die by suicide are 44 years or younger. They are a young cohort. This issue should be addressed in a practical way.

The Minister of State is carrying out a welcome review of A Vision for Change which is now ten years old. In the context of the position in Limerick, the fact that the rates have been consistently high needs to be addressed. A Vision for Change committed to the opening of 20 inpatient child and adolescent mental health beds in University Hospital Limerick, but that has not happened. It must happen. As part of the Minister of State's review, this should be a priority. If a child or an adolescent has mental health issues, he or she will end up in an adult ward, which in the modern age is unacceptable. Given that the levels of suicide have been consistently high in Limerick City, will the HSE or the Department carry out a specific study of the reasons for this? There is a myriad of factors, for example, alcohol and drugs.

In 2014 St. Patrick's Hospital's mental health services presented the stark result of a survey. Some 65% of Irish people believed being treated for mental health problems was a sign of failure. We must get rid of this taboo. Among young males, there appears to be a fear of admitting to any mental health problem because it is seen as a sign of failure.

Will the Minister of State discuss a suggestion with her counterpart, the Minister for Education and Skills? As part of the curricula at primary and secondary levels and as Senator Gerry Horkan referenced, CSPE subjects should include modeules on physical and mental health and well-being which must be on a par. This would have a major benefit, as people would feel it was not taboo and that, if they had mental health problems, they could treat them just as they could a broken leg. We cannot afford to have 451 people dying by suicide, as we did last year. That is the reported figure, but many suicides go unreported.

As promised in A Vision for Change in 2006, 20 inpatient child and adolescent beds should be provided in University Hospital Limerick. A study should be undertaken by the Department of Health and the HSE to discover why the suicide level in Limerick City is so high. Mental health and well-being should be included in the curricula at primary and secondary levels.