A retired Clare GP insists this county is crying out for a 24/7 mental health service.
There are renewed calls for additional mental health supports to be brought on stream in Clare, in light of new statistics which show the county had one of the highest figures nationwide for deaths by suicide last year.
For the second year in a row, Clare is among the counties with the highest figures for deaths by suicide
The Central Statistics Office’s figures show that across 2024, 19 suicides in total were recorded here, with 18 of these being males.
It gives the county the fifth-highest number of suicides nationwide for 2024 and the fourth-highest figure when it comes to males.
It’s also the joint-second-highest overall figure recorded in Clare since 2010.
Newmarket-on-Fergus native and Director of Clare Samaritans, Pat White, says early intervention in schools is of paramount importance.
Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler has recently named Clare among four areas where she’s determined to establish a designated early intervention youth mental health service.
Speaking in the Dáil, she claims she intends to acquire funding for this in Budget 2026.
Former Miltown Malbay GP, Dr Billy O’Connell, insists 24 hour supports are needed here if we’re to move in line with international best practice.
Anyone affected by this story can contact Samaritans freephone number 116 123 or Pieta’s 24-hour freephone crisis helpline: 1800 247 247.
You can listen to the full interview here:
