Suicide has always been a a sad feature of Irish life, but like many other serious social problems was not spoken about openly and was underreported in our newspapers. At a time when the attitudes of the churches were less than compassionate, perhaps sweeping the problem under the carpet was the best response society could make.
But contemporary Ireland is considered more sensitive and humane - and more practical - about what has become a serious problem, especially affecting young people. Today, suicide claims more lives of young males between the ages of 15 and 24 years than traffic accidents or cancer.
It is estimated that some 550 people died by suicide in the last year and that in any given year, 90 per cent of people who commit suicide are considered to be suffering from "diminished responsibility" at the time.
A six-week certificate course, "Facing up to Suicide", starts at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Bachelor's Walk, Dublin, on Thursday next. The course, which runs until February 24th, takes place between 8 p.m. and 9.45 p.m. each evening and the cost is £20 per person.
This is the fourth of these courses, designed to deepen public awareness of the problem of suicide, to provide information related to suicide prevention and to advise and inform people who assist those who have lost relatives, friends, neighbours or work colleagues through suicide. So far, over 500 people have taken the course.
The course is organised by the Holy Ghost priest, Dr Tony Byrne, who has ministered in developing countries for 35 years and who has organised many courses on different aspects of the social ministries of the Catholic church in Europe, North America and developing countries.
Lecturers include psychiatrist Professor Patricia Casey; public health psychologist Michael Begley; suicide bereavement counsellor and therapist Jean Casey; Sergeant Michael Casey, lecturer on suicide response at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, and Kathleen Maguire, lecturer in the Bethany Counselling Centre.
Applications for admission to the course should be made to Dr Tony Byrne: telephone (01) 838 0157 or (087) 243 1127. Special concessions are available for the unwaged.
