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Suicide Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Questions (724)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

724. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of the 96 actions in the ten year national strategy for action on suicide prevention, which is due to end in 2014, that have been implemented as specified in the strategy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7291/13]

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Written answers

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.

Since the launch of Reach Out and the establishment of the NOSP, there has been a significant amount of cross-sectoral working which has resulted in considerable advances in suicide prevention. The NOSP has implemented many of the action areas engaging a strategic approach in four key areas - delivering a general population approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention; using targeted programmes for people at high risk of suicide; delivering services to individuals who have engaged in deliberate self harm and providing support to families and communities bereaved by suicide; and commissioning research into suicidal behaviour. Initiatives progressed to date include:

- Suicide awareness training programmes.

- The tough economic times programme.

- Mental Health awareness campaigns.

- Supporting voluntary organisations in their work on suicide prevention.

- Developing all-island cooperation in the areas of promoting positive mental health and tackling the issue of suicide.

- Funding a number of Suicide Community Assessment Nurses (SCAN) to work within primary care to provide an effective and coordinated response for people who are in distress.

Each year the NOSP publishes an annual report which outlines the work that has been undertaken under Reach Out.

In relation to the 26 Action Areas and the 96 Recommendations of the strategy work has commenced on each of these Recommendations. Earlier this year, the NOSP established a Working Group comprising the statutory and voluntary sectors to review the current activities in the area of suicide prevention and to determine the priorities within this area to ensure that we maximise available resources. The Group will also review current national and international evidence on effective approaches in suicide prevention and will consider how the emerging evidence base can be used to inform the remaining period of the Reach Out strategy and influence new policy on suicide prevention beyond 2014.

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