George Hook to attend Tullamore talk on suicide prevention

George Hook will be among three speakers attending a suicide prevention and awareness night in Tullamore later this month. The broadcaster and rugby pundit, who himself has spoken about his experience of depression, will be joined by John McCarthy from Mad Pride and Josephine Rigney, Suicide Prevention Officer with the HSE. The meeting will take place in the Tullamore Rugby Club on Thursday September 30 at 8pm. The evening is being organised by members of Fine Gael. "The Laois Offaly TDs and Offaly councillors recognise that we must play our part and we are organising this event to raise awareness of the large number of people, young and old, who have died by suicide," said Cllr Molly Buckley. "We want to play our part along with the other voluntary and statutory organisations who are doing tremendous work. We need to listen, be aware, and care for our family, neighbours and friends." The evening is being organised in a bid to discuss the causes of and problems surrounding depression, which can lead to suicide, and also how this serious problem is actually on the increase. Ireland has experienced one of the fastest rising suicide rates in the world. Research into suicide since the 1980s has demonstrated an increase in suicide rates and mental illness during times of economic recession.