Vol. 441 No. 3
49 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the extent to which research has gone into the causes of suicide in this country; the results of this research; the proposals, if any, he has to extend research into this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
165 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health whether the number of suicides in this country warrants the instigation of a campaign to identify the contributory factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 49 and 165 together.
The causes of suicide are complex but are consistent internationally. Changes in the cohesiveness of society, depression, an erosion of traditional values, lack of employment opportunities and social isolation are all factors which can contribute to individual distress. In response to the problem of suicide the health services provide support to those immediately identifiable as distressed.
Research into issues such as suicide is primarily a matter for the Health Research Board and that body has carried out a number of studies in this area. This research has tended to concentrate on suicide rates and on the accuracy of reporting systems.
In order to try to reduce the extent of suicide my Department is contributing towards the costs of a pilot project on attempted suicide in Cork to be carried out by staff of the Southern Health Board. The aim of this project is to reduce the recurrence of attempted suicides and to develop intervention skills which may be applied in this area.
