Sir, - Phil Mac Giolla Bhain tells us (November 3oth) that suicide among young men is a "rational response" to our allegedly misandrist society. There are many different, and sometimes contradictory, meanings of the word "rational" but I prefer one philosopher's definition that being rational means "being willing to learn from experience and ready to accept criticism".
Now, I agree that suicidal men and women are generally not insane, but surely they are not rational either. A depressed, lonely and inarticulate young man is the last person likely to seek from family and friends the positive and affirmative feedback that would help to build a rational response to personal problems. So it is not just psychiatric support that is needed to alleviate the growing suicide rate, as Dr Declan Bedford asserted (The Irish Times, November 23rd), but availability of wider support, such as therapeutic counselling, in schools, colleges and the workplace. Parental education is not the least of the services required.
Let me add that Mr Mac Giolla Bhaihas made a stupid and dangerous statement. What young men need from us is not to be told that it is rational to take one's life in a righteous fit of indignation, but to be told that suicidal feelings are natural, but irrational, responses to depression.- Yours, etc.,
Toby Joyce, Balreask Manor, Navan, Co Meath.