Clare County Council is set to write to the Government to request that a mental health helpline be incorporated into emergency services.
The decision comes on foot of a motion raised by Kilrush Councillor Ian Lynch at this month’s meeting of Clare County Council, which called for mental health services to be made available when someone calls 999 or 112.
According to Samaritans data, 449 people died by suicide in Ireland in 2021 with males making up 80% of this number.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District and Independent Councillor Lynch says enabling a person struggling with their mental health to speak to someone with mental health training when they call emergency services could prevent a tragedy.
You can listen to the full interview here:
