Funds urgently needed for suicide helpline services, Dail group told

Oireachtas subcommittee on suicide:A national helpline that supports people bereaved through suicide has called for funding to extend its services, a Dáil subcommittee heard yesterday.

The health subcommittee on suicide was told by Console that if it is to support its clients effectively it will need funding to extend its helpline outside office hours. The group is currently funded through charitable donations.

Included in the delegation from Console was broadcaster Gareth O'Callaghan, who has written and spoken about his own depression and suicidal thoughts.

The group runs a helpline, counselling services, therapy and support groups and community outreach programmes. It told the committee that it urgently requires core funding to sustain and maintain its services.

"Between 40,000 and 50,000 people consider suicide in Ireland every year," Mr O'Callaghan said. "Many young people won't report to a GP because they don't want anyone to know. We need funding to be able to help them."

Clinical psychiatrist Eadbhard O'Callaghan advocated early intervention for people with psychotic illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, to prevent suicide.

He said the suicide rate for individuals with psychosis is 20 times the rate in the general population, but if the illness is treated early the risk is reduced.

"There is strong evidence to demonstrate that early intervention should be a core part of any effective suicide prevention strategy," he said.

He called for increased funding and support for a pilot programme, Dublin East Treatment and Early Care Team, which covers a catchment area of 371,000 people.

It includes a public education programme, education for referers such as GPs, gardaí and schools, and a specialised team to provide assessment within 48 hours and continuity of care to clients and their families.