Remarks by President McAleese At the visit to The Irish Association of Suicidology
Remarks by President McAleese At the visit to The Irish Association of Suicidology, CASTLEBAR, 19 January, 1999
Mar éarlamh ar Chumann na hÉireann um Féinmharú-Eolaíocht, ba mhaith liom tosú trína rá go bhfuil an-áthas orm a bheith in bhur gcuideachta maidin inniu.
I am delighted and honoured to have been asked here today to the headquarters of the Irish Association of Suicidology. I am particularly grateful to the Chairman of the Board, Dan Neville for his kind words of welcome and to Dr. John Connolly who issued the invitation.
Suicide is a tragic and shattering occurrence that not only brings a life to an untimely end, but also has a devastating impact on family and friends. The importance of exploring ways of understanding the causes and of dealing with the consequences, cannot be overemphasised.
I am well aware of how serious the problem of suicide has become in Ireland today where it is now a major public health problem. The number of deaths attributed to suicide has risen significantly in the past decade and it is of little comfort that this trend is not confined to Ireland but is a growing global problem.
People are often at a loss to understand why somebody they loved would take their own life. The “Why” factor is a central theme, never fully knowing why the person would commit such a tragic act. It has been difficult to establish or identify a definitive cause but contributing factors seem to include depression, loneliness, recent bereavement and loss of physical or mental health. Even knowing the causes though does little to assuage the bewilderment, the anxiety and the lostness of those bereaved by suicide. In its wake comes such a torrent of emotions and so many unanswered, unanswerable questions.
What is clear is that people in crisis should not be left without help or support and that such help can make a real difference. Since its foundation in 1996, the Irish Association of Suicidology has done much to help and promote public awareness of suicide and suicidal behaviour. The Association has also provided invaluable encouragement and support to the many groups which have been set up.
Through the organisation of conferences and workshops, not least the annual conference which the Association held last October, you have helped bring this tragic problem out into the open. The support and encouragement you have given to research into suicide and prevention, has been equally invaluable. Research defines choices, informs options and is important in order to determine which procedures are of benefit in helping our understanding of, and response to, suicide and attempted suicide.
I am encouraged that you are seeking to develop the Association as an all Ireland organisation. It is important to seek ways to promote co-operation and benefit from the sharing of ideas, experiences and expertise. I have no doubt that your organisation will build and strengthen bridges of communication between clinicians, volunteers, survivors and researchers in all matters relating to suicide and suicidal behaviour, and will act as a focus for debate, discussion and exploration of this important issue.
Mar fhocal scoir, is mian liom buíochas a ghabháil libh arís as an gcuireadh a thabhairt dom cuairt a thabhairt oraibh inniu agus an fheidhm seo a chomhlíonadh. Ba mhaith liom rath a ghuí ar gach duine a bhaineann leis an gCumann le linn a gcuid seirbhísí a chur ar fáil.