|
Suicide figures on Irish men make grim reading
 THE
NUMBER one killer of young men in Ireland is suicide. That is a truly
horrific statistic that cannot be ignored.
When you add this to the awful number of road fatalities involving young
people it makes you wonder what has gone wrong with our youth and where
we have failed them?
It seems that half of all those who take their own lives are under 35
and a higher number of males commit suicide than females.
I should point out that apparently this particular statistic is reflected
worldwide.
It also seems to be a fact that men are more successful if that is the
right way to put it than women are in actually completing the act.
I wonder if the statistics might reflect the fact that people are more
willing to admit or reveal that relatives have taken their own lives or
is it perhaps a case of the media reporting it more?
Whatever the reason it is a major problem that has to be tackled at the
highest level.
The effect on the unfortunate families left behind must be absolutely
devastating and I don’t know how you can ever come to terms with
it.
I read a report that said there has been a sharp increase in the number
of teenagers in Dublin seeking counselling for depression.
This must not be ignored.
A quick look at the Samaritans website makes disturbing reading.
In 1993 there were 327 deaths recorded as suicide and in 2004 the figure
stood at 457.
Why is this happening in a country that is enjoying unprecedented prosperity
or is this new wealth a contributing factor?
Are young people’s expectations too high or is it a case of too
much pressure being put on them by society in general or ambitious parents
to be high achievers?
How big a part does alcohol and readily-available drugs play in all this?
I read a terrific poem which is too long to reproduce here so I will just
let you have a few lines selected at random.
The author is unknown which is a shame because he or she deserves to
be recognised for it.
It is called Please Don’t Save The Changes:
We have bigger houses but smaller families
More conveniences but less time
We have more degrees but less sense
More knowledge but less judgement
We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values
We have learnt how to make a living but not a life
We’ve added years to life but not life to years
We have higher incomes but lower morals
These are the times of tall men and short character
Steep profits and shallow relationships.
There is a lot more but you get the idea. It is certainly thought-provoking. |
