Suicide rate plummets in worst self-harm black-spot
THE suicide rate in an Irish town which ranked as one of the world's worst self-harm black-spots has fallen dramatically over the past two years.
And it is all thanks to the work of a voluntary support group which has struggled to survive without government funding.
Midleton, in Co Cork - which four years ago had one of the highest suicide rates in the world for men aged 18 to 30 - has witnessed a reversal in the self-harm trend, thanks to the work of the Let's Get Together Foundation.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that the suicide rate has declined by 40-60pc, thanks to greater awareness, the provision of counselling services and work by voluntary groups like LGTF.
The problem was so bad in Midleton that a section of the local cemetery was dubbed "suicide row".
Despite the successes in the battle against suicide and self-harm, LGTF was forced to suspend the provision of free counselling services last year due to a lack of finance.
LGTF founder Tony Buckely, who lost two sons to suicide, said the Government's lack of support had stunned everyone affected by suicide in the area.
He hopes a local fundraiser later this month will deliver sufficient finances to allow the counselling support service to be resumed.
Early indications suggest that the support agencies are having a dramatic impact. In East Cork alone, the number of reported suicides fell from 34 in 2002 to three by late 2005.
- Ralph Riegel
