Wexford ranks 2nd in the state in terms of Irish Male Premature Mortality rates per county

A recent report from the South Eastern Technological University reveals that 40% of male deaths before the age of 75 are premature, and many of these deaths are preventable. The report revealed Wexford ranks second in the state for male premature mortality, with leading causes including coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and suicide.Men are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, with suicide now the leading cause of death among young men in Ireland. Local groups like Talk2Tom in Gorey and the Samaritans in Arklow are providing vital support, but they receive no statutory funding. Speaking in the Dáil in the last hour Wexford TD Fionntain O Suilleabhan says Men’s health must become a priority: "Nowhere is this more evident than in Wicklow and Wexford,Trojan work is being done by a number of community-based groups. Talk2Tom in Gorey has saved many lives however they havent received a cent in statutory funding. In Arklow, the Samaritans are under pressure having to rent the building they use. All of these local community-based services should be state funded. There’s a shortage of male-specific counselling and outreach programmes, and many men still view their symptoms as “minor complaints” not worth a doctor’s time. Both counties suffer from low engagement with preventative care, and men in deprived areas are 150% more likely to die before 75 than those in wealthier communities.Yet services are not proportionally targeted to these vulnerable populations. We must act with a sense of urgency. We need targeted awareness campaigns,better access to screening and mental health services, and a cultural shift that encourages us as men to speak up and seek help. We must empower our GPs to be able to act as a first port of call in a storm. One GP quoted in the report said,  “97% of us spoke to a man with suicidal thoughts last year, but only 14% felt confident supporting him.”   This is worrying.We need to invest in preventative care, and dismantle the stigma that’s keeping men silent. Because behind every statistic is a story. And behind every story is a life worth saving. " "