“There is a terrible sense of isolation in rural Ireland, especially in Connacht, and this is reflected in the high rates of people taking their own lives which is now compounded by the added stress and despair caused by the recession we are in.”
That is according to Fine Gael Deputy Michelle Mulherin who made a presentation to the Dáil this week on the issue. The focus point of the discussion was the prevention of suicide and Dep Mulherin commended the work and initiative of self help groups which are addressing the question of social inclusion.
She urged Minister Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health, and Older People, to prioritise and invest into the formation of more such groups which create networks of support for vulnerable individuals.
“I am familiar with the work of such groups in my own town like Ballina Migrant Health Forum and The Dolmen Clubhouse which seek to bridge the gap that exists between the vulnerable and professionals for any number of reasons. The emphasis is on getting those affected to appropriate professional help where necessary and also creating a platform for various care professionals to help train and inform local members,” explained Dep Mulherin.
The Ballina TD also congratulated “the pro-active groups around the country, many of which are born from the loss of a loved one, where family and friends choose to make a stand in combating this malaise which does not discriminate by social class.”
Dep Mulherin spoke of the personal loss associated with suicide. “It takes many deaths before we become aware what death really means,” she added. “Someone said while it ends a life it does not destroy the relationship we had with that life — a father remains a father, a brother remains a brother, a sister, a friend, a husband, a lover, and so on. They take something of us from the earth.”
She spoke of the multitude of reasons given by professionals who try to make sense of the psychology of it; the priests and the spirituality underpinning the dreadful decision that brings an individual to this loneliness — “this very lonely and dark place (for this is an act that invariably takes place in secret ), perhaps we all know to a certain degree this place.”
In a touching conclusion Dep Mulherin stated: “Therefore to those left behind we absolve feelings of guilt. To those contemplating we say reach out and talk to someone. For my own part I would just like to say my office will always welcome anyone who comes seeking help.”
