Suicide Awareness Rally To Be Held

A major suicide awareness rally will today aim to harness co-operation from various state agencies and voluntary groups. The event at Dublin’s Mansion House is being organised by the Turn the Tide of Suicide group which has called for more research, education and intervention to lower the death rate.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention will outline current Government strategy while spokespersons from political parties will make short presentations on their policies.

Turning the Tide of Suicide is a charity organisation set up in 2003 to increase awareness and funding to lower suicide rates.

A spokesperson said: “Suicide in modern Ireland is a problem that has gradually appeared on people’s consciousness.

This is primarily due to the frightening statistic that it is the number one killer of young men in Ireland ahead of cancer and road traffic accidents.

“Suicide has devastated over 400 families every year in Ireland for the past decade.”

International golfers Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley have supported the campaign in the past.