Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013
717. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the number of agencies that are working in the area of suicide prevention and or awareness here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7284/13]
View answer719. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of agencies working in the area of suicide prevention and-or awareness that are in receipt of Exchequer funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7286/13]
View answer723. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if the existence of hundreds of suicide related organisations is a reflection of the lack of the implementation of a comprehensive, national prevention programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7290/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 717, 719 and 723 together.
The increasing number of deaths by suicide is of great concern to this Government. There is not a community in Ireland that has not been affected by suicide. We know that reducing suicide rates requires a collective, concerted effort and most importantly a collaborative approach. The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) was established by the HSE in 2005 to oversee the implementation of Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005 – 2014. Reach Out is a comprehensive and integrated approach to reducing the loss and suffering from suicide and suicidal behaviours. It encompasses the promotion, coordination, and support of activities to be implemented at national, regional and community levels.
Currently there are many organisations working in the area of mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Many communities affected by suicide have responded by trying to find ways of coping with it and preventing it. Ordinary people concerned about suicide and people directly affected by suicide have come together with the common goal of dealing with the challenge of suicide and strengthening the community after a suicide has happened. Suicide prevention is about promoting positive mental health and supporting people to learn a range of positive coping strategies so that they can better deal with difficulties in their lives. To assist communities, the HSE last year published Suicide Prevention in the Community - A Practical Guide, which aims to provide information to help make communities safer from suicide.
The NOSP funds a range of agencies providing prevention, intervention, postvention and research services across the voluntary and statutory sector. It currently funds 26 agencies with over 40 programmes. Projects funded in 2012 include: BelongTo, Bodywhys, Console, Samaritans, National Suicide Research Foundation, Spunout, Teenline, Young Social Innovators, etc. In 2013, there will be further investment in a range of existing and new initiatives. The NOSP publishes an Annual Report, which is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, that details its work programme and expenditure for the year. The latest report published is for 2011.
Irrespective of the number of agencies working in this area, it is vital that we ensure that this work is connected/interlinked and avoids duplication, is evidence and needs based and offers value for money. In order to get maximum benefit from the investment in suicide prevention and ensure a coordinated response to the needs of those at risk of or affected by suicide, the NOSP will continue to coordinate the work of the many different voluntary, statutory and non-statutory organisations working in this area. By promoting cross-organisational collaboration, the development of networks and partnerships, skills sharing and service development, the NOSP hopes to maximise the impact of a suicide prevention and support network in Ireland, to ensure it reaches and responds effectively to people who are vulnerable. The NOSP is currently working to integrate current programmes so as to reduce duplication within the sector, and provide a strategic framework for the coordination of the extensive range of actions in this area.
