O'Reilly calls for action on suicide figures

The region's high suicide rate was discussed in a motion before Cavan County Council at the last meeting of the local authority.
In view of the alarming suicide statistics in the Cavan Monaghan area Cllr Sarah O'Reilly put forward the motion requesting that Cavan County Council ask Health Minister, Simon Harris, for additional resources for mental health services in Cavan Monaghan.
Last September it was reported that Cavan and Monaghan had recorded the highest suicide rates in the country between 2016 and 2018. Ireland is recording its lowest suicide rate in 20 years, however the highest rate for the 2016 to 2018 period, at 17.1 per 100,000, was in County Monaghan, followed by County Cavan with a rate of 16.7 per 100,000 of population both figures well exceeding the national rate of 8.2.
Cllr O'Reilly said the local authority should take the lead to ensure that the statistics are used as an opportunity to run a pilot scheme: “The suicide rate in Cavan and Monaghan runs at almost twice the national average, yet we have no nursing specialist in the Emergency Department. There should be a crisis team in place to address the issue.”
The motion was welcomed by other representatives including Cllr Paddy McDonald and Cllr Philip Brady. Cllr TP O'Reilly commented that the county needs to move forward on the matter.
Director of Services, Brendan Jennings, said that the HSE programme 'Connecting for Life' is active in the two counties and aims to promote positive mental health. Connecting for Life is Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide.
Mr Jennings clarified the HSE's role and how agencies work with each other with a  goal to provide support services for the vulnerable.