Neville address 18th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology

Dan Neville TD, Chairman of Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology has addressed the 18 ^th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology which is taking place 9 ^th and 10 ^th October in Hotel Westport, Westport, County Mayo.

“The World Health Organisation in its recent report ‘Preventing Suicide-A Global Imperative’ highlighted the need to have strategies to target vulnerable groups such as persons who suffered trauma or abuse, those affected by conflict or disaster, refugees and migrants, persons bereaved by suicide, homelessness, prisoners, LGBT and travelling community etc.  It poses the questions ‘What causes suicide?  Is it because of poverty, unemployment, breakdown of relationships, depression or other mental disorder and impulsive acts or is it due to the disinhibiting effects of alcohol or drugs?’

“Suicide is influenced by several interacting factors – personal, social, psychological, cultural, biological and environmental.  The link between mental ill-health is well established.

“Stigma surrounding mental disorders and suicide means many people are prevented from seeking help.  Stigma is one of the most pervasive barriers to seeking help for mental health problems and suicide ideation.  It leads to people avoiding living, socialising, working, renting or obtaining employment.  It causes low self-esteem, a sense of isolation and hopelessness.

“Raising community awareness and breaking down taboos and stigma are important means of making efforts to prevent suicide.”