Studies show increase in suicides after bank holiday weekends

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has called on young people to avoid binge drinking over the bank holiday weekend. This follows Deputy Mitchell O’Connor’s attendance at today’s (Thursday) session of the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee which looked at the inherent link between suicide and alcohol. The Committee was informed that there is a statistical increase in suicides after bank holiday weekends.

“I don’t want to be seen as a killjoy, but the simple truth is the people are vulnerable and alcohol can affect our mental health. Alcohol plays a significant role in people taking their own lives and, as we heard in the Committee today, there is a statistical increase in suicides in Ireland after bank holiday weekends when significant binge drinking takes place.

“Some people really struggle with the after-affects of significant intake of alcohol and extended weekend drinking sessions can leave people feeling extremely low. Alcohol can be a significant catalyst in suicide and self-harm.

“Today’s meeting of the Committee on Health and Children included striking testimonies about the role of alcohol in suicides. We heard extremely compelling accounts from a variety of stakeholders including UCC, Coroners Society of Ireland, Central Statistics Office, Headstrong, Console, Aware, Pieta House, the Irish Association of Suicidology and the National Office for Suicide Prevention on suicide and the role of alcohol.

“The issues and circumstances that lead to a person taking their own life are many and complex. I believe we have a duty to warn young people, especially those who may have mental health issues, of the impact of sustained binge drinking on their mental wellbeing.”