A NEW CAMPAIGN to raise awareness about the need for a suicide prevention authority in Ireland has been launched by 3TS (Turn the Tide of Suicide).
The suicide prevention charity has stepped up its campaign for a suicide prevention authority, launching an online video which demands immediate action on suicide in Ireland. The video is part of a nationwide campaign by 3TS and incorporates a series of street art images which appeared in cities including Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Galway in recent weeks.
The video delivers a stark series of key statistics relating to the prevalence of suicide in Irish Society, including the fact that presently, three times more people die by suicide than on our roads.
Founded 10 years ago, 3TS has been calling for a concentrated approach to suicide and believes that only a suicide prevention authority similar in structure to the Road Safety Authority can deliver an effective solution.
Chairman of 3TS said Noel Smyth said:
We’ve grown tired of towing the line and listening to political sooth-saying which promises to address the issue of suicide. Suicide continues to be the number 1 killer of young men in Ireland. That’s a tough statistic for anyone to ignore. Whilst Government will claim that they are addressing this situation, their efforts fall short with ‘ring-fenced’ funds for mental health & suicide prevention being used to address budget deficits elsewhere in recent years.
Earlier this month, Smyth, the founder of 3TS, said an authority with similar power to HIQA or the Road Safety Authority should be established so that governments can be called to account and encouraged to act to address certain shortcomings.
Today, he said that a dedicated suicide prevention authority with the autonomy to address this issue “is the only solution”. He is calling on people to sign a petition about the issue.
Further information on the campaign is available on twitter @3Ts_irl, on Facebook or the 3tS website www.3ts.ie.
Here is the video, which includes interviews with those affected by suicide, soundtracked by the song Star, Star by The Frames.
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