Mayor asked to lead all-party alliance tackling suicide

FOUR recent suicides in Wexford town in less than two weeks prompted Cllr. David Hynes to call on the Mayor to set up an alliance group to address mental health issues in the community.

‘Wexford has one of the highest rates of suicide in the country.

‘It has been an intractable problem. Several efforts have been made by well-meaning groups but for one reason or another the problem is continuing,’ he said.

‘If we can get enough people together along the lines of the Alliance that was formed when the future of Wexford General Hospital was threatened we might be able to make a difference. People should come out and show this Government and the HSE that we’re not going to put up with it’, he said.

Cllr. Hynes said that in addition to lobbying for an acute psychiatric unit in Wexford, all aspects of suicide and the issues that may have a bearing on it should be discussed, including financial problems that can cause serious mental stress, the abuse of drink or drugs and an increase in gambling addition that can overwhelm individuals.

‘ This cross-party, cross-community venture should commence with a view to setting up a dedicated group to address the problem of suicide in Wexford, similar to the very successful Wexford Hospital Alliance,’ he said.

Cllr. Deirdre Wadding agreed and spoke of the importance of people power and having a strong public campaign ‘Otherwise we will have more deaths’, she said.

‘We should push it from a human rights point of view. People have the right to adequate health care.’

Cllr. George Lawlor said the message had to be communicated that it’s not just about mental health but also the circumstances people can find themselves in with gambling, money problems and addiction etc.

Cllr. Lisa McDonald said the Mayor would be the right person to bring a campaign together.