Over 100,000 leaflets and pocket information cards with details of support agencies and advice on how to look after your mental health will be available around the country for those who are unemployed or experiencing financial difficulties.

Guidelines for workplaces and organisations working with the unemployed have also been produced which will help frontline staff respond to stressful situations.

Even among people with no record of mental illness, unemployment is still associated with about a 70% greater suicide risk. Financial difficulties and job insecurity are significant factors in depression, anxiety, stress and suicidal thoughts.

International evidence suggests, that during periods of sharp and sustained increases in unemployment, people out of work are three times more likely to consider suicidal behaviour.

The HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention has consulted with organisations such as Money Advice Budgeting Service (MABS) and Citizens Information Centres, to draw up this information campaign aimed at supporting those under stress or those in contact with someone experiencing mental health difficulties.

Concern has been expressed by support organisations about the impact the current economic downturn may be having on the mental health and well being of the Irish population.

The signs listed below might indicate a mental health problem.

Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Withdrawing from friends, family, school, work, sports or other things that are usually enjoyable
Excessive and undue worry
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Feeling tired all the time
Major changes in mood
Problems paying attention or staying focused
Apathy - not caring about the things that are important to you
Not being able to function as well at work, college or home
Speaking at the launch Geoff Day, Director of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) said: “It is unclear how the current economic situation will impact on suicide rates but we do know from research that increased unemployment is one of a number of key factors. “

Individuals, friends, family and employers can all play a part in reducing the potential impact of the recession on suicide rates. Being aware of when someone’s mental health may be affected by financial strain and knowing the support services that are available to help is an important step in combating increasing suicide rates.

Professor Richard Price of the University of Michigan said: “This launch signals an extremely promising new evidence-based program for people facing challenging work and life transitions. It will give people in Ireland hope and new skills in successfully pursuing life changing opportunities. “

The HSE’s NOSP is targeting suicide alertness and intervention skills training at relevant agencies including MABS, Citizens Information Centres and Departments of Social Welfare and Family Affairs as well as HSE staff through regional suicide prevention resource offices and voluntary services. The training is ongoing and will be intensified over the next twelve months.

Two training programmes are run by the NOSP which aim to increase awareness and skills in suicide prevention.

ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - is a two day programme which seeks to improve the skills of professionals and community leaders in responding to people who may indicate suicidal thoughts. There are 100 trainers delivering this programme and in the last five years over 12,000 people have been trained.

Safetalk is a half day version of ASIST for communities and the public. It aims to increase awareness of self harm and suicide. This has been introduced in the last year.

Both ASIST and Safetalk will be offered free of charge to workplaces and organisations working with people who are unemployed. Additional programmes are being provided as well as those planned for 2009.

Copies of the information leaflet will be distributed nationwide through HSE Health Promotion Departments, Suicide Prevention Resource Offices, Community Welfare Offices, the Money Advice Budgeting Service (MABS) and Citizens Information Centres.

Also available to order online from www.healthpromotion.ie or by phoning the HSE Information Line on 1850 24 1850 from Friday 31st July.