A new report reveals Roscommon has the second highest rate of suicide in the country.
A Castlerea GP has expressed major concern about the news and claims poor psychology services for young people is a contributory factor.
According to the National Office for Suicide Prevention’s annual report in 2016, there was a high level of self-harm relative to the national rate among females living in Leitrim last year.
The suicide rate in Leitrim also increased marginally between 2014 and 2016 compared to the previous three years, from 9.5 to 9.7 per 100,000 population.
The figures decreased in Roscommon, from 17.2 to 16.2, and Longford, from 10.8 to 9.9.
However, the data also revealed that, between 2004 and 2016, Roscommon had the second highest suicide rate in the country, behind Limerick city.
Dr Madeleine Ní Dhalaigh, from Castlerea, is hugely concerned:
She claims part of the problem is poor access to child psychology services, with long waiting lists and delays in receiving treatment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can contact the Samaritans 24//7 on 116 123
