McAleese hosts suicide prevention forum

President Mary McAleese will highlight the importance of tackling the suicide problem today in the face of a soaring number of…

President Mary McAleese will highlight the importance of tackling the suicide problem today in the face of a soaring number of young people taking their own lives.

The president is to gather a range of health experts and community workers together for a huge Suicide Intervention and Prevention Forum at Áras an Úachtaráin.

Mrs McAleese has outlined her concerns about the growing problem and stressed the importance of breaking the silence surrounding the vital issue.

She will hear from groups working throughout Ireland to tackle the growing problem, as well as the everyday challenges which confront families and communities. The groups will work to highlight the importance of suicide prevention in society during the three-hour meeting.

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The forum will also explore how the various groups and community workers could join together to tackle the growing problem.

Ireland now holds the fifth-highest level of suicide rates among 15 to 24-year-olds throughout the EU.

A spokeswoman for Mrs McAleese said this would be a key opportunity to hear the views of those closely involved in suicide prevention and intervention.

Some of the experts attending the forum include Professor Kevin Malone of St Vincent's University Hospital, Dr John Connolly, co-founder of the Irish

The suicide intervention forum is the second event at the President's official residence this year, with several other gatherings planned over the coming months.

Association of Suicidology, and Dr Tony Bates from the Department of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.