Call for national suicide surveillance system similar to Cork model Ireland’s first professor of public mental health says accurate numbers needed
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Ireland’s first professor of public mental health, Ella Arensman. Photograph: Eric Luke
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Ireland’s first professor of public mental health, Ella Arensman, says the country needs a national roll out of a real-time suicide data programme, similar to the one currently operational in Cork.
The National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) teamed up with the Health Service Executive and coroners in Cork three years ago to develop the scheme. Data on suspected suicide cases is gathered within 10 days to a fortnight after the death.
Demand for mental health supports and suicide prevention services have soared across Ireland during the 13-month Covid-19 pandemic.
The revelation from Ireland’s first Professor of Public Mental Health, Prof Ella Arensman, has verified mounting anecdotal concerns that the pandemic is having a significant mental health impact through extended isolation, lack of social interaction, financial stress and personal fears about the virus. Studies are now under way to determine the impact successive pandemic lockdowns have had on mental health. Suicide statistics for 2020 will not be available for three years.
However, while there is anecdotal evidence of a surge in mental health-related pleas for help during the pandemic, there is no indication the number of suicides has soared significantly above levels experienced pre-Covid-19 in 2018 or 2019. GPs revealed that pleas for mental health supports over the past year have been linked to loneliness, isolation, depression, stress over fina
Pandemic is driving unprecedented demand for suicide prevention and mental health services
Ella Arensman has been appointed Ireland’s first Professor of Public Mental Health. By Órla Ryan Tuesday 6 Apr 2021, 6:30 AM 2 hours ago 7,588 Views 7 Comments
Professor Ella Arensman
Image: UCC
IRELAND’S FIRST PROFESSOR of Public Mental Health has stated that demand for public mental health and suicide prevention research and services is greater than ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Professor Ella Arensman made the comments upon her appointment to the position of Professor of Public Mental Health within University College Cork’s School of Public Health.
“Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the attention for public mental health and suicide prevention has been greater than ever,” Arensman said.
However, while there is anecdotal evidence of a surge in mental health-related pleas for help during the pandemic, there is no indication the number of suicides has soared significantly above levels experienced pre-Covid-19 in 2018 or 2019.
GPs revealed that pleas for mental health supports over the past year have been linked to loneliness, isolation, depression, stress over financial issues and emotional problems due to loss of a loved one in the pandemic.
Medical experts warned that such feelings have been amplified by the loss of normal processing systems during the pandemic such as funerals, social gatherings and household visits.
Prof Arensman has worked for over 30 years on public mental health and suicide prevention research. “Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the attention for public mental health and suicide prevention has been greater than ever,” she said.
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