Madam, - Dr Desmond Fennell (September 4th) may be correct in asserting that a perceived need to end a "senseless life" is one aspect of youth suicide, but I feel compelled to highlight his fuddy-duddy dismissal of youth culture.
While drug-taking, reckless sex and speeding can be seen as self-destructive behaviour to fill the void, his contention that "disco-dancing . . . rock concerts . . . personal stereos" are means of "annihilating consciousness temporarily" would be laughable, if it wasn't so patronising. Young people engage in the latter three activities because they are fun, not because they "annihilate consciousness".
I think the fact his ideas are dealt with "more amply" in Ireland's Eye nicely illustrates how out of touch with the youth of Ireland he is (apologies to my own granny, who loves that august publication). - Yours, etc,
JASON McNERNEY,
Harolds Cross Road,
Dublin 6W.