Members of the public who are concerned about the growing issue of self-harm and suicide among young people, are invited to attend a public talk on the topic.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (CPI) is hosting two free public health talks next week - one on self-harm and one on the impact of computer use on the mental health of children.

According to a spokesperson for the CPI, it would like to provide the public ‘with an opportunity to hear from experts and have a discourse with them through a question and answer session on topics that can and do raise concern among parents and carers and anyone who deals with or works with children and adolescents'.

"We hope the talks will provide some new knowledge and possibly ways of tacking some of the issues that will be covered and may concern them," the spokesperson said.

The first talk is entitled ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Computer Use and its Impact on Children's Mental Health'. It will focus on issues such as social media, gaming and the risks and rewards associated with internet use.

This talk will be presented by Mark Smyth, a senior clinical psychologist at the Mater Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and Naoise Kavanagh of Inspire Ireland/ReachOut.com.

This talk will take place on Sunday, July 7, from 6.30pm to 8pm, at the Convention Centre Dublin.

The second talk is entitled ‘How to Stem the Rising Tide of Self-harm and Suicide in Europe'. It will look at issues such as how to detect youths at risk.

Dr Alan Apter, director of psychiatry at Schneiders Childrens Medical Center in Israel, will present this talk on Monday, July 8, from 6.30pm to 8pm, also at the Convention Centre Dublin.

Anyone hoping to attend these talks, which are free of charge, should email publictalks@irishpsychiatry.ie