Ruairí McLaughlin
Ógra Shinn Féin, Doire
A Chairde,
Many of us will be settling down to our Christmas dinner with our families later this month and for many of us December can prove to be the happiest month of the year. However, this month traditionally sees a rise in suicide rates here in Ireland, particularly among young men. Just last week a young man from my own town took his life, several more people did the same in West Belfast, so many others have taken that drastic step this year.
The statistics from the National Office of Suicide Prevention says that in 2010 there were 486 deaths by suicide, 386 of these people were men, a massive percentage being young men. Although this is down from the record high of 527 in 2009, the stats are there for all to see, we have a massive issue in this country and it needs addressed immediately on an All-Ireland basis.
We must all lobby our MPs, TDs, MLAs, councillors & everyone in a position to effect positive change to adopt this as one of their key policies. Sinn Féin & Ógra Shinn Féin have long advocated this, it is up to the other parties in the Dáil & in Stormont to start pushing for this now. However, we as activists can not wait for the Government to act, we can begin to affect our own positive change. Simple things like offering a kind word, not being afraid to stand out from the crowd and stick up for a victim of bullying, even a smile can brighten up someones day. All these things can have a positive effect on a person who may be feeling there is nothing left for them to live for, it might not cure depression, but it might keep them going long enough to realise there is a way forward.
I ask my friends and comrades to join with me in 2012 to reduce the rate of suicides in Ireland and beyond. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem and for what its worth I am always available to speak to anyone who is feeling down and may want to have a chat. You could say that for someone who is contemplating suicide, life can only get better, so give life a chance.
Lets all work together to make suicide history.
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