Ten suicides occur weekly, says Pieta House chief

The Government needs to take suicide prevention as seriously as road safety, given that at least 10 people are taking their own lives every week, Pieta House chief executive Joan Freeman has said.

Speaking at the opening of Pieta House’s first centre in the west, Ms Freeman said the organisation was dealing with almost 60 new cases weekly.

The Central Statistics Office figures for suicide "don't reflect the true numbers", she said, as they do not account for drownings and single car fatalities which may be related.

“If the Government gave suicide the same attention and resources it gives to death on our roads, imagine the difference this would make to communities around Ireland,”Ms Freeman said yesterday.

“It appears suicide is a warm blanket used by our politicians during the cold days of campaigning, only to be shrugged off when elected,”she said. “Every adult should be made familiar with the signs and symptoms of suicide, and how to respond to same. We know that men don’t talk, and don’t seek help, but there is often a great sense of relief if someone intervenes to get help on their behalf,” she said. Eight of the 10 weekly fatalities are male.

The new west coast centre will open six days a week, and aims to work towards a seven-day service, including bank holidays, with free counselling and no referral from GPs required.

Tribute
Ms Freeman paid tribute to Tuam-based businessman and philanthropist John Concannon, who inspired the fundraising campaign that supported Pieta House West's foundation.

Mr Concannon pledged the first €25,000 towards the centre after recalling his experience of the impact of suicide during RTÉ's The Secret Millionaire series. The non-governmental organisation now has nine centres, with almost €400,000 being raised for the Tuam facility.

“This is enough to refurbish a house and fund the service for 18 months,” Ms Freeman said.

Pieta House will host its fundraising walks event on May 10th (darknessintolight.ie).