Madam, – The article “More funds urged for suicide prevention” (Home News, June 11th) highlights once again the very poor attitude the HSE has towards mental health. There is already a well-established, self-regulating body of professional people in place who can deal effectively with our suicide problem: psychotherapists.
Why are we attempting to train “suicide prevention officers” when we already have an established science-backed discipline being practised by professional people? Why is it not possible to pay for counselling/therapy using your medical card?
State support for private counselling services would be an effective use of resources. It’s time for the HSE to catch up with the rest of Europe and to take counselling and psychotherapy seriously.
Then it may be possible to convince me that the State takes suicide prevention seriously. – Yours, etc,