The Last Taboo?

Many people suffering from mental ill health suffer in silence, unlike physical ailments, which by and large will be dealt with without any sense of shame. Why should mental health be different from physical health?

Although many of us may feel that there's nothing we can personally do to help slow down the high rate of suicide in Ireland, we each have the power in our own lives to contribute to de-stigmatising mental health issues. We can do this by talking more openly about our own mental health and encouraging others to do the same. It should be normal to admit and seek help when we are feeling low, anxious or stressed - everyone feels this way at times. The See Change campaign is a small step towards trying to bring about a cultural change in Ireland to make talking about our mental health more acceptable.

As Dr. Tony Bates says in this five minute video "As long as we have stigma and fear and shame out there, people won't reach out for support. They'll go to their grave with some secret rather than reveal to another person that they're not doing okay. And that's crazy, that's the real madness of our society, that you would suffer in silence to the point of taking your life rather than actually say "I'm just not coping"" 

Art From The Heart

From an anonymous contributor to 'Art From the Heart'

I've just come across this website www.headsup.ie/heart which I really like.

Heads Up is a mental health promotion project which aims to contribute to suicide prevention efforts by providing timely, appropriate information and support to young people. Art From the Heart is a section of the site where anyone can create their own piece of art using their own image (or one provided) and adding words to give it meaning. A simple and quick outlet for self expression - give it a go. I just have, it took five minutes and I'll be checking back soon to see it online!

The National Office for Suicide Prevention - An Overview

The National Office for Suicide Prevention is the section of the HSE which co-ordinates suicide prevention efforts in Ireland. I found their 2009 Annual Report most useful when trying to figure out exactly what they do, although the website (www.nosp.ie) is helpful also. According to the Annual Report their primary functions are to:

• Oversee the implementation of ‘Reach Out: the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014'.
• Commission appropriate research into suicide prevention.
• Coordinate suicide prevention efforts around the country. 
• Consult widely and regularly with organisations and interested parties. 

They co-ordinate suicide prevention efforts around the country primarily through their regionally-based Suicide Prevention Officers. You can find your local suicide prevention officer on their website. They also provide once-off or recurring funding to organisations providing direct services such as AWARE, Console, Foroige, GROW, National Youth Council, Pieta House, RehabCare, St. John of Gods and the Samaritans (full list available online). They are behind a number of TV campaigns and mental health promotion websites including yourmentalhealth.ie and letsomeoneknow.ie

Pieta House

Pieta House is the Centre for the Prevention of Self Harm or Suicide. Run almost entirely on donations, it provides a free counselling and support service for people in crisis.  

Pieta House logo

Based in Lucan and Ballyfermot, they offer a holistic approach involving one-to-one counselling, on a daily basis if necessary. They seek respond to people in crisis immediately, helping them to identify reasons to live. They also work with people who self-harm (12,000 people presented in A&E in 2009 after self harming*).  They are also happy to hear from people who are worried about a friend or family member who may be at risk of suicide. For some quick, practical advice see: http://www.pieta.ie/Know_someone_that_needs_help.htm

Setting the Scene: Statistics on Suicide in Ireland 2009/2010

Instances of people taking their own lives has increased in Ireland over recent years and most people have been affected by it in some way. In 2009, 527 people died by suicide, an increase of 24% on 2008* and the highest recorded in any year.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) recently released their Vital Statistics for the 1st Quarter of 2010 and it appears the situation is not getting any better. In the three months of January, February and March 2010, 104 people took their own lives in Ireland**. This compares with 42 from road accidents***.