The report of the National Task Force on Suicide was welcomed yesterday by the Samaritans.
Mr Ciaran Lynch, head of the Samaritans in Ireland, said in a statement: "I am especially glad to see that the report stresses the importance of education and training in suicide awareness for those in the caring and medical professions, as well as gardai, teachers, prison staff and paramedics."
He also welcomed the proposal that each health board devote staff to deal with issues surrounding suicide.
The Samaritans' 2,500 volunteers received 300,000 calls last year.
The rural youth organisation Macra na Feirme expressed alarm at the findings, which notes the high suicide rate among young men. Three-quarters of Macra na Feirme's 8,000 members are male and one-third are young farmers.
Its president, Mr Tommy McGuire, said the increase in the suicide rate among young rural males was disturbing. There was a need for a concerted effort among voluntary organisations working with such men to get involved in awareness and education programmes.
