The Department of Health is currently asking the public for input create a new National Suicide Reduction Strategy.
To help form the new strategy the Department is asking the public to answer a series of questions on a survey that is being delivered via an EU Survey Portal. The survey can be found on the Gov.ie website at this link here or by searching for Suicide Reduction Consultation on Google. It can be completed anonymously or the final question allows people to provide their personal contact details.
The closing date for the public consultation is 5pm on Friday 18 April 2025.
The survey asks people to give of their personal experiences. This could include personal experience with suicide, suicide ideation, self-harm, supporting a friend, loved one, colleague or stranger with their experience of suicide or self-harm. accessing or delivering services for self-harm, suicide, suicide ideation, suicide bereavement. It can also be experience relating to accessing or delivering training resources regarding suicide and self-harm, engaging in advocacy regarding suicide and self-harm or supporting the implementation of suicide prevention strategies or initiatives.
The survey has 13 questions and there is also scope for a person to give a more detailed views on what could and should be done to reduce the level of suicide. The questions are very straightforward for the most part with just two questions that might take a little more time.
Respondents are asked to rank seven priorities to find out what might be the most important priority to address in the new Strategy – these seven are:
A need for better understanding of the causes and nature of suicidal behaviour, better support for communities to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour, targeted approaches for those who are vulnerable to suicide, improved access to and consistency and integration of services, provision of safe and high quality services , measures to reduce access to the means of suicide such as greater control over access to medication/drugs and firearms, and the seventh priority listed is better Data and Research.
The new strategy will set out the government’s approach to suicide reduction from 2026 onwards.
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.
Text About It is a free, 24/7 service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Free-text HELLO to 50808 for an anonymous chat with a trained volunteer, any time.
You can also call the Your Mental Health Information Line on 1800 111 888, anytime day or night, for information on mental health services in your area.
