- Consultation will feed into the next policy to reduce suicide in Ireland
- Department of Health to host in-person events as part of consultation
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler has launched a public consultation to inform the development of Ireland’s next suicide reduction policy.
The consultation is an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and organisations to share their experience, observations and proposals on suicide reduction in Ireland and to express what they would like to see in a new policy. The current suicide reduction strategy, Connecting for Life, is being evaluated, with a final report due in the first half of this year. The successor policy, which this new consultation process will feed into, will build on the successes of Connecting for Life and will take account of new evidence. The new policy will set out the government’s approach to suicide reduction from 2026 onwards.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler said:
“Preventing the tragedy of suicide remains a priority for me and this government and it is hugely important that we keep working to reduce suicide in Ireland. There is no greater tragedy than someone deciding that life is not worth living. In my role I hear heart-breaking personal stories from people whose lives have been devastated by suicide. This public consultation is an important opportunity for those voices to be heard at a national level and be incorporated into our next policy to reduce suicide in Ireland.
“All experiences shared as part of this process are unique and we recognise the hugely important contribution people with lived experience of suicide bring to suicide prevention. Feedback received will inform the development of Ireland’s next suicide reduction policy and I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation process, be it online or by attending the in-person events that the Department of Health will be running in March, April and May.”
The information from the public consultation will be collated and analysed by the National Suicide Research Foundation and a report will be prepared for the Department of Health. This report will be used to inform the development of the next suicide reduction policy. The new policy will also be based on learnings from the independent evaluation of the current policy Connecting for Life, lessons from around the world on other successful reduction strategies, and a review of the latest research on effective suicide prevention.
The closing date for the public consultation is 5pm on Friday 18 April 2025.
Public consultation on Ireland’s next suicide reduction policy
Notes
The consultation process will include an online survey and in-person and online consultation events. At the end of the survey, participants will have the option to leave their contact details if they wish to be invited to one of the in-person or online consultation meetings the Department of Health will be running in March, April and May.
Anyone can take part in the consultation process by completing a short survey. The survey will ask some questions about you or your organisation. You will be asked what you think about suicide prevention, and you will also have an opportunity to share your experience or feedback with the Department of Health. Personal submissions can be anonymous if preferred.
Connecting for Life
The Connecting for Life strategy was developed in 2014 (launched 2015) and was informed by an extensive public consultation process which included submissions from 272 members of the public, representative organisations, people who have received direct care and support and community organisations.
Support is always available
If you, or someone you know needs support, visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie – for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area.
You can get help through:
- text HELLO to 50808 anytime day or night (24/7) to text with a trained listening volunteer
- your GP
- Emergency Department
- HSE Mental Health Services
- ieor telephone information line 1800 111 888 – anytime day or night, for information on mental health services in your area. Mental health supports and services – HSE.ie
- Samaritans on 116 123
- Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444
Media reporting
When covering the topic of suicide, the HSE recommends that media adhere to Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide – research evidence shows that certain types of media depictions, such as explicitly describing a method, sensational and excessive reporting, can lead to imitational suicidal behaviour among vulnerable people.
The topic of suicide should always be approached with care and compassion. It is important to use sensitive and non-stigmatising language when engaging in a conversation, talking or writing about suicide. Read more from the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention.
Free suicide prevention training from the HSE
For more information on suicide prevention training programmes available from the HSE, visit www.nosp.ie/training.
Access ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ – a free online suicide prevention training programme from the HSE NOSP.
