The increase in the number of people, particularly males, taking their own lives in Ireland in recent years is a major cause of concern. Suicide is a societal problem and is one of the highest causes of potential life lost for all males in Ireland, superseded only by deaths from circulatory diseases, cancers and respiratory diseases. Moreover, it is the leading cause of death in young males, exceeding road traffic accidents and cancer. The need to improve the skills of young people in dealing with emotional and other problems in life is a pertinent factor in prevention. Other factors include the high prevalence of depression and alcohol misuse, variable access to primary healthcare, mental health and social services, and the need to develop tailored care plans, especially for younger people. We also need greater knowledge and understanding of suicide in modern Ireland.
Suicide in Ireland: A Conversation and Journey through Loss with Science and Arts
Hidden behind the statistics, however, lie personal, untold, stories of lived lives of loved ones lost to suicide. Some of these stories of loss, and of lived lives, have been captured in a unique collaborative project, led by Prof Kevin Malone, FRCPI, in collaboration with Artist, and UCD Ad Astra PhD Scholar in Suicide Studies, Mr Seamus McGuinness. The project is the result of conversations and research interviews with 104 suicide-bereaved families from all over Ireland over the past 4 years with a focus on younger suicide deaths. The methods combine scientific research and visual arts practice in search of new knowledge and understanding through a unique collaboration with families bereaved by suicide.
In essence, this project, the first of its kind internationally, having its first public presentation, unites science, arts and humanities reflecting the lived life as well as the impact of loss on society through suicide.
In this public gathering, Kevin and Seamus will present conversations from their research, captured through data, stories, vignettes and narratives associated with the lived lives of loved ones lost to suicide. Seamus’s Artworks from the project include installations created from objects, images and belongings of the deceased donated by the families to the Visual Arts Research Project. Participants in this public gathering on suicide will be invited to be part of this conversation to engage with the stories and to journey through the artworks, which will be a platform for shared reflections on their experience.
Dates:
Friday 30 April 2010 at 12:30 pm
Presentation by Prof Kevin Malone and Mr Seamus McGuinness in Corrigan Hall, followed by viewings of the visual art installations in Dun's Library and Graves Hall.
Friday 30 April 2010 at 5:30 pm
Presentation by Prof Kevin Malone and Mr Seamus McGuinness in Corrigan Hall, followed by viewings of the visual art installations in Dun's Library and Graves Hall.
Saturday 1 May 2010 at 11:00 am
Presentation by Prof Kevin Malone and Mr Seamus McGuinness in Corrigan Hall, followed by viewings of the visual art installations in Dun's Library and Graves Hall.
Saturday 1 May 2010 at 2:00 pm
Presentation by Prof Kevin Malone and Mr Seamus McGuinness in Corrigan Hall, followed by viewings of the visual art installations in Dun's Library and Graves Hall.
Venue:
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, No.6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Chairs:
Dr John Sheehan, Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.
Dr Ed Carroll, Director, Blue Drum - The Arts Specialist Support Agency
Speakers:
Prof Kevin Malone, Dept of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Mental Health Research at UCD and St Vincent's University Hospital Dublin
Mr Seamus McGuinness, GMIT, Artist and UCD Ad Astra Phd Scholar in Suicide Studies
Media Discussant:
Prof Janis Jeffries, Professor of Visual Arts in the Department of Computing, Goldsmiths University of London, UK
Registration:
Registration for this meeting is free, however, in order to cater for expected numbers, advance booking is required and admission is by ticket only. You can apply for a meeting ticket by completing and returning the registration form, by sending an email to college@rcpi.ie or by calling (01) 863 9700.
Please note, if booking by phone you must provide a complete postal address where your ticket can be sent.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
This meeting is approved for 2 CME credits
Public Meeting Information:
Joanna Holly, Office of the Executive, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Frederick House, 19 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. T: 353 1 863 9743, F: 863 1 672 4707, E: joannaholly@rcpi.ie