Sir, - An omission from much of suicide prevention measures and research is the issue of sexual orientation. International research indicates that the problems faced by gay people because of anti-gay discrimination and prejudice increase the risk and incidence of suicide. For instance, a study by the US Department of Health and Human Services suggested that gay and lesbian young people account for up to 30 per cent of teenage suicides.Examples of the difficulties experienced by gay people in Ireland have been documented in the Combat Poverty Agency report, "Poverty, Lesbians and Gay Men." This showed that gay people experience family breakdown, isolation from friends and other support networks, and harassment and violence at school, in the workplace and where they live and socialise.Some specific community groups are available to support those who are gay or lesbian, for example Gay Switchboard Dublin, which can be contacted at (01) 8721055.Given the established links between these difficulties and risks of suicide, there is a clear need to explore the issues faced by gay people in the context of measures to address suicide. This will be essential if these measures are to be truly effective. - Yours, etc.,
Brian Sheehan, Project Director, Gay HIV Strategies, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8.