Depression

FIVE OF the six cases that came before the Offaly Coroner’s Court this week involved mature men taking their own lives. That shocking event caused acting coroner Brian Mahon to draw public attention to “a really serious, developing situation” where suicide was becoming rampant, particularly in rural areas.

Suicide is every family’s worst nightmare and, traditionally, it is rarely discussed. That public attitude towards mental illness and suicide must change if help is to be provided for – and accepted by – people at risk.

The economic downturn and increased financial pressure on individuals has caused a rise in the incidence of suicide. That was probably inevitable in the absence of adequate medical counselling and treatment. Internationally, better diagnosis and treatment for depression brought about a fall in suicide rates in the late 1990s. In Ireland, it did not happen. Numbers gradually edged up in the early years of the millennium, before jumping dramatically to 527 in 2009.

This year, in recognition of a worsening situation, an extra €1 million was allocated to the National Office for Suicide Prevention in the Budget. The money was urgently needed but amounted to little more than political window-dressing. More substantial funding was required for specialised health teams, whose function is to identify and respond to early mental health problems within the community, but it wasn’t forthcoming. As a result, only one in five community mental health teams have the full range of expert staff they require. Worse than that, only one in seven HSE directors feel their services are equipped to provide early warning of mental health problems among adults. Two out of three confirmed there are no agreed protocols for engaging with those at high risk of suicidal behaviour within existing mental health settings.

Depression and mental health problems are closely related to suicidal behaviour, along with alcohol or drug abuse. If these illnesses are identified and treated at an early stage, deaths can be prevented. Part of the problem involves the social stigma surrounding mental illness. That must change. Unless people seek early help and receive suitable treatment, they may remain locked within a cycle of depression that can lead to self-harm. People in rural areas are regarded as particularly vulnerable because of social isolation. But, no matter where people live, withdrawal from social contact can be a common feature of depression. Suicide prevention should be made a priority.