Successive governments have continually failed on mental health provisions, Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Féin has said following a meeting with the Suicide Awareness and Prevention (SOSAD) group .

Speaking after a meeting with Peter Moroney from SOSAD, Mr Adams said: "According to the most recent statistics available for suicide in this state 459 persons - 368 males and 91 females - took their own lives in 2014. During the same period there were 62 undetermined deaths which in the north and in other countries are normally counted as suicide. At the same time around 300 citizens in the north die each year from suicide.

"It is generally accepted that the real figure for suicide is higher and that as many as 1000 citizens die across this island each year by suicide.

"Mental Health is an area that successive governments have failed to provide an adequate level of service. This is despite the fact that 644,000 people or one in seven adults have experienced mental health issues in the last year.

"The funding allocated to mental health is insufficient. The framework documents, 'A Vision for change' proposed a mental health funding of 10% of the overall health budget. This has never been achieved.

"Among our detailed proposals on mental health Sinn Féin would increase the mental health budget in year one by €35 million.

"One significant contribution to tackling suicide and self-harm would be greater co-operation between the health services north and south. In particular the creation an all-Ireland Suicide Prevention Agency that would co-ordinate the work of all of those involved would bring immediate benefits."

(MH)