Suicide and depression major problems for young Irish in New York

Urgent plea for those in need to seek help by experts

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Experts say depression on the rise among Irish in NYC

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Depression and suicide are at epidemic level in Ireland and the problems have carried over to the U.S among Irish immigrants, experts have told the Irish Voice.

With the rate of depression and suicide among Irish people in New York seemingly higher than ever given a rash of recent suicides, various immigration support groups in the city have spoken out in an effort to decrease the stigma of depression and to get people, whether undocumented or not, to come in and ask for help that is both free and confidential.

Laura O’Brien, a licensed clinical social worker at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center and a Columbia University graduate, says that there are a lot of people in deep despair living in New York and wants people to avail of their services.

‘Depression and suicide are an epidemic in Ireland and this has carried over with the newly arrived Irish. Just like there are many organisations doing great work in Ireland, we want people to know that there is help here too. Status is not an obstacle and there is no charge whatsoever. We will not decline anyone.’

‘Sometimes your problems do not leave you at Dublin Airport,’ says Siobhan Dennehy, Executive Director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, which has offices both in the Bronx and Queens.

‘People feel this pressure when coming to New York that they have to do well and they have to make it but it does not always work out that way. We believe we offer services that are culturally sensitive and we want people to know that we are here to help.’ 

Orla Kelleher, Executive Director of the Aisling Irish Immigration Center in the Bronx, concurs with this and states that Irish people, particularly Irish men, have a ‘cover up mentality’ when it comes to their mental health. ‘Irish people tend to conceal rather than reveal problems’, she says. ‘They will ring home and will always say that they are fine rather than reveal whatever issues they are dealing with. They feel embarrassment and shame about asking for help and we are constantly trying to figure out a way to reach people who do not want to ask for help but who are suffering. We have two professional social workers on staff and two voluntary social workers in the evening. There is no charge and status is not an issue.’

Siobhan Dennehy agrees with the notion of a cover up mentality and feels that there has never been a more difficult time to be an Irish person living in New York. ‘A lot of Irish people have lost their jobs over here too and just like home there is a shame in it. A shame in not working, an embarrassment in having financial problems and having to ask for help.’

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