-Suicide rates in Cavan and Monaghan both twice above the national average-
Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has called for a multi-agency response and the setting up of a task force to put in place a Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Action Plan to understand and tackle the suicide crisis in Cavan-Monaghan.
Deputy Smith made the calls as figures from the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) reveals County Monaghan has the highest suicide rate in the country, followed by County Cavan with the second highest rate.
He commented, “It is tragic to read the statistics from the report. I personally know some of the families who have been affected by suicide. It is a tragedy that impacts an entire community.
“In Monaghan the suicide rate is highest nationwide at 17.1 and Cavan at 16.7. Behind each of these deaths are devastated families and friends. Suicide is preventable with access to timely and appropriate supports. However, it is very clear from these statistics that not enough of those supports are available in Cavan-Monaghan.
“It is most concerning that the national average is 8.2. No county should have twice the suicide rate of the national average. Sadly, this is the case in our constituency.
“I am calling on the Minister for Health and the HSE who urgently need to organise a multi-agency response and set up a task force to put in place a Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Action Plan to understand and tackle the suicide crisis in Cavan -Monaghan,” concluded Deputy Smith.
Please see report from the NOSP which details a breakdown of figures.